Can Jordan develop an internationally respected and competitive software industry?
By Ramzi T. Abdel Jaber The first Middle East MIT alumni conference is due to be held in Jordan later this year. The topic of the conference will be creating knowledge-based industries in the region. Speakers will include world-renowned economist Lester Thurow, author of Head to Head’ and `The Future of Capitalism’, technology strategist Michael Cusumano, author of `Microsoft Secrets’ and `Competing on Internet Time’, and Kenneth Morse, Managing Director of the MIT Entrepreneurship Centre, who has played a key role in launching several MIT-based startups including 3COM and Aspen Technology. The short answer is yes! Getting there though requires coordination, planning, and investment over the course of several decades. Many countries have tried to create such an industry. The few that succeed manage to create wealth, provide jobs, and as a result experience tremendous economic growth. The impetus for this essay was a request by H.E. Dr. Marwan Muasher, Jordan’s Ambassador to the U.S., w
