Biography

Dr. Mahmud Duwayri who was selected for the International leadership program on Food Systems in 1986 is Professor at Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan. He received his B.Sc. in Agriculture; Soils and Irrigation in 1968, his M.Sc. in Agronomy; Weed Control in 1970 from the American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon, and PhD in plant breeding and plant genetics in 1973 from University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin.He started his academic career at the University of Jordan in 1973 and was selected as a Fulbright Scholar in 1980 where he spent a year (1980-1981) at Washington State University. He served as Dean of Agriculture, University of Jordan, Amman (1984-1989) He is the founder and was Editor in Chief of Jordan Journal of Agricultural Sciences (An International Refereed Journal issued by University of Jordan). He served as Minister of Agriculture, Jordan (2001-2002), Director, Plant Production and Protection Division, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy( 1998- 2001), Vice President, Jordan University for Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan (1996-1998), and President of Ajloun Private University (2009-2010). Mahmud worked as a consultant to several regional and international agencies in the fields of agriculture development and policy, scientific research and higher education development. He represented the Middle East and North Africa Region in several scientific commissions and agricultural forums. He has cooperated and is acquainted with the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and served as a member in its board of trustees, advisory boards and review committees and panels. Between 2005-2008 Dr Duwayri was a member of the International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development (IAASTD) and participated in the meetings and he is an author of the global report and an author of the report of Central & West Asia & North Africa. He was chosen by United Nations Compensation Commission (UNCC) as Independent Reviewer for Jordan Badia Restoration Program in the period 2010-2013. Dr. Duwayri is a founding member of the Jordan Alliance against hunger which was founded in 2004 and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Global Foodbank Network(GFN) between 2007-2011 and an ambassador for GFN between 2011-2013.Mahmud is presently teaching courses in sustainable agriculture, plant genetic resources and food security.