UOP President, Prof. Rami Abdel Rahim, in the presence of University Chancellor, Prof. Adnan Badran patronized a ceremony at the Center for Pharmaceutical Studies to mark the expansion of the nutrition clinic. The project provided the nutrition clinic with a research laboratory equipped with devices and instruments for analysis of fat and measurement of vital functions, respiratory effort, and body composition.

The University President said, "We all know that our society is suffering from obesity and other associated disorders, a burden to the health sector and the country's resources. In light of such improper nutrition practices, nutrition has become one of the most important university majors." Abdel Rahim added, "The university, seeking to expand the nutrition specialization at the Faculty of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, has filed an application for the creation of a master's program in food and clinical nutrition, which, we believe, is very important for encouraging scientific research and graduating highly qualified professionals in the fields of nutrition, clinical diets and food science".

UOP Chancellor, Prof. Adnan Badran said that societal food consumption patterns are typically measured by scientific research. The saying 'an apple a day keeps the doctor away', Badran added, was an output of a research that was conducted at the American University of Michigan in 1960s and concluded that eating an apple daily supports the immune system. "These research results boosted the consumption of apples by Americans".

Badran added, "The nutrition laboratory at the University of Petra and other nutrition research centers have a duty to verify the reliability of nutritional supplements and their health effects".

Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Prof. Reyad Awad, said that the expansion should provide students with practical experience and increase their interaction with hospitals and private nutrition clinics, adding that the mission of both the University and the Faculty of Pharmacy is based on providing the labor market with academically qualified and professionally skilled graduates.

Dr. Heba Al-Sayed, in charge of the clinic expansion project said the new research laboratory section will promote the concept of healthy nutrition, pointing out that the laboratory has been equipped with devices and equipment necessary for scientific research. These include a biochemistry analyzer, which can perform thirty laboratory tests of the functions of the heart, kidneys, liver, as well as inflammations, infection, and immunity. The lab also houses devices for respiratory effort measurement and basal metabolic rate testing, infrared-based fat analysis, immunological analysis, as well electricity-based measurement of body components.

Dr. Heba highlighted that the Department aspires that the new research section will become a nucleus for conducting research projects in nutrition in general, and personal nutrition in particular. “The department is pleased to open the door for research cooperation with those interested" Al-Sayed announced.

Dr. Omar Al-Hajj, Head of the Nutrition Department, said that the expansion of the nutrition clinic at UOP will support scientific research and research centers, as well as all development efforts undertaken by the University to support scientific research. The clinic will also enrich the Faculty's infrastructure needed for postgraduate programs.

The ceremony host, Dr. Aya Al-Kilani, said, "The UOP nutrition clinic expansion makes a huge leap in dietetics at the local, regional and global levels. The project will have full support from the community and government, and it will contribute to knowledge development".