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Purpose: This study sought to assess the process of initiating a sustainable recycling program at the University of Jordan. It illustrates the potentials of recycling, perceived awareness of recycling by the students and staff, as well as challenges to a sustainable waste recycling program. This study aims to identify the barriers and challenges that face a sustainable waste recycling program at the University of Jordan. Design/methodology/approach: The study consisted of investigating waste recycling potential on campus, inspecting general environmental awareness toward recycling and running an experimental recycling study on part of the campus. A waste characterization study was conducted to assess the current waste status and recycling extent. A questionnaire survey was carried out to obtain information on the students' and staffs' awareness of waste recycling and management on campus. In the experimental recycling study, seventy units of waste segregation bins were distributed on campus. The recycling efficiency was evaluated at two schools; the School of Engineering and the School of Medicine. The administrative support and collaboration while running the recycling program were also observed. Findings: Overall, waste recycling at the University of Jordan has an appreciable opportunity and potential. A substantial amount of waste can be diverted from going to the landfill. Data showed general positive recycling rates except for plastic. Also, the recycling rates show great potential for enhancing. The recycling at the University of Jordan faces several barriers and obstacles. The greatest barrier was identified as the lack of cooperation of the administrative system on campus. The administrative support for the recycling program was strong only at the initiation of the recycling program. Administrative support has a vital influence on the recycling program. It has the potential of boosting it or bringing it to halt. Future studies should focus on investigating recycling efficiency for the entire campus and focus more on increasing pro-environmental behavior among students and staff in higher education institutions. Originality/value: The value of this research lies in it being conducted in a large campus university in a developing country. Also, the study used a diagnostic approach that is based on evaluating an environmental sustainability program as it evolves inside a higher education institution. The study illustrates the challenges that face universities in developing countries while adopting green campus initiatives.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the research output and status of women academics in science fields in Jordan. The rationale is to identify trends as well as challenges to advise policy makers and university administrators on how to promote more involvement of women academics within the university. A survey of two sections was developed. The first section included 36 items that measure demographics and challenges in academic, research, administrative, and family contexts. The second section included questions regarding motivators and barriers to academic research. Participants were prompted to respond per the Likert's Scale, where the responses were later categorized to a dichotomous variable (e.g., yes/no responses). The tools' reliability and validity were tested in a pilot study conducted among 36 participants as well as from feedback from experts in the field. A description of the profile of women scientists in Jordan is presented. There was no significant difference between married and unmarried academics and their responses regarding opportunities and challenges faced in research. Additionally, there was no significant difference in responses between those who are married to academics and those married to nonacademics. Furthermore, the t-test showed that those who expressed dissatisfaction with promotion rules in their universities significantly expressed facing more challenges than those satisfied with promotion regulations. This is the first comprehensive study investigating women academics in Jordan in specific and in the Middle East region in general. Whereas previous research in the literature focused on comparing women academics' progress and achievements with that of men academics, the novelty of this study lies in investigating sub-populations of women academics and identifying factors that affect academic achievement among women themselves. The article also offers suggestions for tailored intervention to improve the professional growth of women scientists in Jordan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vanadium is a significant metal, and its derivatives are widely employed in industry. One of the essential vanadium compounds is vanadium pentoxide (V2O5), which is mostly recovered from titanomagnetite, uranium–vanadium deposits, phosphate rocks, and spent catalysts. A smart method for the characterization and recovery of vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) was investigated and implemented as a small-scale benchtop model. Several nondestructive analytical techniques, such as particle size analysis, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), inductively coupled plasma (ICP), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to determine the physical and chemical properties, such as the particle size and composition, of the samples before and after the recovery process of vanadium pentoxide (V2O5). After sample preparation, several acid and alkali leaching techniques were investigated. A noncorrosive, environmentally friendly extraction method based on the use of less harmful acids was applied in batch and column experiments for the extraction of V2O5 as vanadium ions from a spent vanadium catalyst. In batching experiments, different acids and bases were examined as leaching solution agents; oxalic acid showed the best percent recovery for vanadium ions compared with the other acids used. The effects of the contact time, acid concentration, solid-to-liquid ratio, stirring rate, and temperature were studied to optimize the leaching conditions. Oxalic acid with a 6% (w/w) to a 1/10 solid-to-liquid ratio at 300 rpm and 50 °C was the optimal condition for extraction (67.43% recovery). On the other hand, the column experiment with a 150 cm long and 5 cm i.d. and 144 h contact time using the same leaching reagent, 6% oxalic acid, showed a 94.42% recovery. The results of the present work indicate the possibility of the recovery of vanadium pentoxide from the spent vanadium catalyst used in the sulfuric acid industry in Jordan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]