The President of Yarmouk University, Prof. Zeidan Kafafi, met with Dr. Roberto Gabrielli of the Institute of Technological Applications of Cultural Heritage in Italy, discussing the ways of cooperation in the implementation of a scientific project on the site of Umm Al-Rasaas. Prof. Zeidan Kafafi pointed out that the Faculty of Archeology at Yarmouk University has always been the pioneer in conducting research and scientific projects in various archaeological and heritage sites in Jordan and that its researchers have contributed to the discovery and documentation of much information about such sites, stressing the importance of using modern scientific methods in documenting data and collecting information about heritage and civilization sites.
He also confirmed Yarmouk's readiness to cooperate with the Italian Institute through the implementation of the research project, which aims at providing the visitors of Umm Al-rasaas with information about the site through, for instance, images of GPS. Such information should be documented in a database so that researchers can use whenever necessary. He then praised the efforts of the research team members, including Dr. Ahmed Al-Orood, the project Manager, Dr. Khalid Nahar, Dr. Rami Malkawi, and Dr. Abdulrahman Al Asmar of the Faculty of Information Technology and Computer Science.
In his turn, Dr. Gabrieli stressed the importance of cooperation with YU in the field of the implementation of this project, as it includes researchers and specialists who are distinguished in the field of archeology and information technology. He pointed out that Jordan is a country full of heritage sites and civilization, which makes of it the destination of many researchers in the field of archeology all over the world.
He then explained that this project will be implemented using AR technology, which is based on the projection of virtual objects and information in the real user environment in order to provide additional information or serve as a vector, in contrast to the virtual reality based on the projection of real objects in a virtual environment. The user can deal with information and virtual objects in reality through several devices, being either portable, smart phone or devices that are worn as glasses or contact lenses. Such devices use a tracking system that provides precision projection, appropriate display of information in the right place, such as GPS, camera, and compass.
The meeting was attended by Prof. Fawwaz Al-Abed Al-haq, Vice President for Student Affairs and External Communication, the Deans of Information Technology and Archaeology Faculties, Dr. Samer Samara and Dr. Hani Hayajneh, and Dr. Eva Malfini, an archaeologist.