1. COMMUNITY
Techno
Savvy
Go’s Annisa Rochadiat brings
us the lowdown on Amman Tech
Tuesdays, the world’s first tech oasis
A
noble intention goes a long way; at least with
one of Jordan’s most ambitious knowledge-
based networking efforts to date.
It started with a group of six vibrant and
vivacious techies coming together, envisioning a
grass-root level platform for a mutual exchange
of experiences and ideas between tech industry
experts, engineers, entrepreneurs, and enthusiasts
— a forum aimed at bridging the gaps that had
previously existed within the local community.
One of AmmanTT founders, Fouad Jeryes, tells
us the idea was to get people working in various
tech niches to start communicating, to fill the
knowledge voids while following the philosophy
that innovation thrives upon open exchange.
What begun as conversations between
concerned peers over Facebook and at
“Tweetups,” eventually spurred into a full-
fledged discussion platform known as Amman
Tech Tuesdays, a pro-bono monthly gathering
held on every first Tuesday of each month. Each EDTOKNOW
AmmanTT is a two-hour workshop including a
NE July’s
event will
practical tutorial, a brainstorming session, and a center on Jordan’s
keynote presentation to seal off the session. IT scene; its history,
Running under various themes like digital art, development, and
future — with His Royal
cyber crimes, tech evolution, and activism, the Highness Prince Hassan
initiative appears to have struck a cord on many slated to deliver a
fronts. Around 400 attendees showed up — not keynote talk!
to mention the 880 people tuning in via live feed
online — when the organizers introduced their
Scan
Here for first event in May last year at Princess Sumaya
WebSite University for Technology. The initiative is proof of Jordan’s
According to Jeryes, AmmanTT has generated
a steady attendance of 600 to 850 people. Plus, rising technological strength and AmmanTT’s
with 14 successful events under its belt, the role as a cornerstone of the tech drive
initiative is proof of Jordan’s rising technological
strength, and also AmmanTT's role
CaTCh The Clips
Find Them as a cornerstone of the country’s tech
Online drive at home and abroad. Just search
ammantt.com As Jordan inches closer to “AmmanTT” on
www.facebook. becoming a technological axis to
YouTube and you
com/AmmanTT the region, this is definitely a forum
can find each of
twitter.com/ you wouldn’t want to miss out on,
Tech Tuesdays’
AmmanTT whether you’re a tech geek or not.
previous talks!
62 | JULY 2011