The Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector at the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held a meeting with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), to explore prospects for cooperation in the field of science, technology and scientific research.

During the meeting, held via videoconference, on Thursday, September 9, 2021, ICESCO representative, Mr. Omer Hamed, Expert at Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector, gave a brief presentation on the Organization’s new vision and action strategy, which is open to all countries, international organizations and bodies. He also reviewed ICESCO’s most prominent programs implemented in the field of science, technology and scientific research and its partnerships with universities, stressing that there are broad prospects for cooperation between ICESCO and DAAD, especially in the fields of academic exchange of professors and students, joint scientific research, scholarships, science diplomacy, and other fields.

DAAD’s representatives participating in the meeting, namely Mr. Frank Kay, Director of Government Communication Department at DAAD’s office in Berlin, Dr. Renate Dietrich, Director of DAAD Regional Office in Tunisia, Ms. Isabelle Mering, Director of the DAAD Regional Office in Cairo, Mr. Benjamin Schmaling, Director of DAAD Regional Office in Amman, and Ms. Gudron Chazot, Head of Grants Department for Africa (Sub-Saharan), greatly welcomed the cooperation between ICESCO and DAAD after reviewing the Organization’s activities in the field of higher education and scientific research to set the optimal mechanisms for future cooperation and achieve the desired objectives.

The meeting also discussed the possibility of organizing joint activities that bring together researchers and those interested in the higher education sector in the Islamic world and Germany to exchange experiences and ensure coordination between the National Commissions in the Member States and DAAD’s regional offices in the Islamic world. The meeting considered a proposal to establish a network of German university graduates from the Islamic world within as part of the scholarships of the German Service.

At the close of the meeting, the two parties agreed to continue consultations on proposals for cooperation.