Biography

Manar Issam Abdullah is a passionate humanist, civil engineer, and advocate for positive social change, holding a degree from the University of Jordan.

Throughout her career, she has been committed to driving educational and charitable projects aimed at improving lives and fostering a better future for underprivileged communities. Her journey into community service officially began when she became the lead coordinator of The Camp of Gaza Support Campaign (TCGSC), where she worked to empower disadvantaged children and adolescents through education, health awareness, and essential life skills. This role honed her leadership, adaptability, and strategic planning abilities, reinforcing her commitment to championing child rights, education, women’s empowerment, and the welfare of refugee communities.

Stemming from her belief that music is a universal language that unites people, she also pursued and earned a diploma in ‘oud,’ reflecting her dedication to cultural connection.

Manar later worked with the Madrasati Initiative for nearly two years, where she focused on improving the physical and educational environments in some of Jordan’s most underprivileged public schools. Her groundbreaking research on “Period Poverty among Women in Poverty Pockets in Mafraq Governorate, Jordan” became a milestone in her career. This eight-month research project, the first of its kind in Jordan and the Middle East, won national recognition through the Lazord Fellowship competition.

In her current role, Manar leads the Jordan Young Scientists (JoYS) initiative at the Embassy of Ireland in Jordan, a national programme aimed at inspiring and rewarding young people who excel in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology. Under her leadership, the JoYS initiative, which is modeled after a 60-year-old programme in Ireland, has expanded its impact in Jordan, motivating students to apply scientific knowledge in innovative ways.

In addition to her role as the lead coordinator for JoYS, Manar also heads the Green Team at the Embassy of Ireland, spearheading sustainability initiatives. The team focuses on improving environmental practices within the embassy and the residence, setting yearly goals and benchmarks to advance sustainability efforts.

Manar is also a strong advocate for climate resilience and sustainability in Jordan. Most recently, she authored a position paper on “The Effect of Climate Change on Agriculture Sustainability in Jordan,” which she presented as the moderator and main speaker to both the Minister of Agriculture and the Minister of Environment. Her work on this topic underscores her commitment to addressing one of the most pressing global challenges—climate change—and its local impacts.