In a distinguished academic achievement that reflects its excellence and leadership in Earth and Environmental Sciences, Yarmouk University won second place at the Middle East level in the Imperial Barrel Award (IBA) 2026 competition, organized annually by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG). This competition is considered one of the most prestigious global contests in petroleum exploration and geological data analysis, as it provides a competitive environment that simulates real industry challenges and enhances students’ scientific analysis and decision-making skills.
This achievement came in a strong regional competition that included elite Arab universities, where Sultan Qaboos University won first place, followed by Yarmouk University in second place, while Kuwait University came in third.
Yarmouk University was scheduled to host the regional qualifiers of the competition on its campus for the first time in Jordan, but international circumstances led to it being held remotely using video communication technologies. Despite this, the university’s team demonstrated high readiness and succeeded in delivering a professional scientific presentation and advanced analytical solutions that earned the appreciation of the judging panels.
This accomplishment is the result of integrated academic and administrative efforts, with the Faculty of Science playing a prominent role in striving to host this international event and preparing a supportive environment, thereby strengthening the university’s presence in international scientific forums.
It also reflects advanced institutional readiness, as the university had already begun preparations to host the competition within a vision aimed at enhancing partnerships with the industrial sector and engaging with global initiatives. This was evident in the outstanding performance of its team despite the shift to a virtual format.
The Yarmouk University team included Professor Dr. Mohammad Al-Qudah, Head of the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, as academic supervisor; Dr. Abdullah Al-Rawabdeh, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Science, as administrative supervisor; and students Fatima Al-Anouz (team leader), Bisan Al-Khudour, Dohaa Al-Hayek, and Zainab Mustafa, along with industrial mentor Engineer Mohammad Adel from Egypt. The team presented an advanced model of teamwork and integration between academic knowledge and practical application.
The IBA competition is a global training program that simulates the work environment in the energy sector, focusing on developing geological analysis skills, evaluating exploration opportunities, and decision-making. This achievement is a clear indicator of the quality of Yarmouk University’s educational outcomes and its students’ ability to compete at both regional and international levels.
This victory reaffirms Yarmouk University’s position as a leading academic institution and its ability to prepare qualified cadres with the technical and analytical skills necessary to meet the demands of the global labor market, thereby strengthening its role as a scientific beacon contributing to knowledge building and serving society.
