The International Petra School of Physics (PSP), founded in 1980/81 by His Royal Highness Prince El Hassan bin Talal and the late Professor Abdus Salam, is an international initiative supported by the University of Jordan, Yarmouk University, and the International Center for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Triest, Italy. Named after the ancient city of Petra, a symbol of Jordan’s rich heritage and resilience, PSP aims to connect students, scientists, and engineers from Jordan, the Middle East, and beyond, fostering collaboration and exposure to cutting-edge science.
Each biennial session of PSP addresses a timely theme, ranging from foundational topics like "Solid State Physics" (First School) to recent focuses such as "nanotechnology" (9th Edition) and "Quantum Computing" (10th School). The 11th edition (october 2025) will explore the transformative role of AI in the Natural Sciences, highlighting how artificial intelligence is reshaping research across disciplines. The theme emphasizes interdisciplinarity, bridging physics, materials science, computer science, Chemistry, and biology to open new pathways for discovery and application.
Today, PSP remains a vital platform for scientific growth and interdisciplinary collaboration, continuing its mission to drive innovation and shape the future of science and technology.