Khaled Awni Abdulrahman Toukan (born 1954) is the current chairman of the Jordan Atomic Energy Commission, Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East (SESAME), Director, Jordan 2005 – Present, Standing Advisory Group for Nuclear Energy to Director General of International Atomic Energy Agency, Member 2016 – Present, he served previously as the Minister of Energy for the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (2011), Minister of Education (2000-2008), and as Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research (2001–2002).

Early and personal life

Born in Amman in 1954, Toukan is married with 3 children. He holds a Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1978–1982), an M.Sc. degree in Nuclear Engineering from University of Michigan (1976–1978), and a B.E. degree in Electrical Engineering from American University of Beirut (1971–1976).

Academic career

Toukan was the president of Al-Balqa` Applied University from (1997–2001). He also held the position of acting dean of Faculty of Engineering & Technology and professor of industrial engineering at the University of Jordan, currently he is a member of the university's board of trustees, research scientist at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, and associate research scientist at the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Saudi Arabia. Toukan is a member of the International High-Level EFA Group, a member of H.M. King Abdullah II Economic Consultative Council, acting director of SESAME, and the Jordan representative to SESAME Council and Vice –Chairman.

Ministerial roles

Awards

Toukan's awards include the UNESCO Gandhi Medal of Peace, (2003), the Royal Grand Gordon of Alkukab Al-Urduni, (2003), the Theos, J, Thompson Fellowship (1980–81) in the Department of Nuclear Engineering at M.I.T., and the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst.and American Academy of arts and sciences. and ⁠Nature magazine. and ⁠French president’s award.