Uni vice-chancellor meets the Prince of Wales in Jordan

A hi-tech innovation campus in Jordan – kitted out with the help of Coventry University subsidiary Serious Games International Ltd (SGIL) – was the venue for a meeting this week between the University's vice-chancellor, Professor John Latham, and His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales.

Professor Latham took the opportunity to describe to the Prince of Wales how SGIL – which is headquartered on Coventry University's Technology Park – set up key elements of the state-of-the-art technology lab at the Zain Innovation Campus (ZINC) in the country's capital, Amman.

The lab, which – along with the rest of the campus – was opened in November by King Abdullah II of Jordan, is part of a strategic relationship between Coventry University and Zain (Jordan's leading mobile telecoms operator and founder of ZINC), and features a virtual reality room, a driving simulator and a smart touch table.

Professor Latham also spoke about the continuing professional development (CPD) programmes being delivered by Coventry University to managers at Zain, and the ongoing support being given to future joint activities.

The Prince of Wales was visiting ZINC as part of an event to help launch the Prince's Trust International, which has been working in Jordan to help bring more young people into employment, offering mentoring and assistance.

Professor Latham, who also met with Justine Greening MP, secretary of state for international development, during the visit to Jordan, said:

It was a pleasure to meet with His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and showcase the positive impact that British higher education is having around the globe. Going forward we hope to strengthen relations with the Prince's Trust and explore ways that the University's Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations could work with the charity.

The collaboration between the University and Zain initially came about with the help of Coventry alumnus and international philanthropist Dr Majid AlSadi, who also organises the Changing Lives programme through which Coventry University students visit Jordan on a cultural exchange during their studies.

For further information, please contact Alex Roache, external press and media relations officer, Coventry University, on +44 (0)24 7765 5050 or email alex.roache@coventry.ac.uk.