AMMAN — Five Jordanian women participating in the TechWomen 17, the biggest gathering for women in technology in the world, held in the US, have won the first prize for the best technological project, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported on Tuesday.

Participants said that the winning project was among 20 that were presented to a jury inclusive of Microsoft and other major companies in the Silicon Valley.

Medical engineer and medical marketing expert Thilal Sharman said that it is the first time that a Jordanian and an Arab project wins the award.

Ala Agha Karss, founder and CTO of Superiors ICT, said that the project is called “Orphans in Jordan” and focuses on the low percentage of orphans going to university as a result of  psychological and financial problems.

Karss said that the project offered a way to address the problem through an electronic platform with the participation of Jordanian entrepreneurs and intensive workshops.

Aseel Musa, founder of six entrepreneur companies and CEO of business incubator Adamtech, said the project aimed at effecting dramatic change in the mentality of orphans through changing their perception of themselves and their view that they will not succeed.

She added that the project can also target others, not just orphans, to help them change the “impossible” into “possible” by connecting them with institutions that can support them financially.

Hiba Shabrouq, telecommunication engineer and product marketing expert at Orange Jo, said that they presented the project on Friday and the results were announced on Tuesday.

Business entrepreneur Nour Tubassi said that team members have received little financial support for the project and that five of them are affiliated with companies that can support the project.

TechWomen is an initiative of the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

The mission of TechWomen is to empower, connect and support the next generation of female leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics by providing them with access and opportunity to advance their careers, pursue their dreams, and become role models for other women and girls in their communities, according to the organisation’s website.