Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), called on countries, governments, organizations and specialized bodies to urgently modernize national education systems and legislations and develop plans to improve the innovative capacities of academic, technical and vocational education institutions by adopting a forward-looking vision to address future challenges and changes, and capitalizing on the artificial intelligence applications and the potential of space science.

This statement was part of Dr. AlMalik’s address, delivered today, October 28, 2021, via videoconference, during the 2nd Conference of Arab Ministers in Charge of Technical and Vocational Education and Training. The Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) held the event, in partnership with the Ministry of Vocational Training and Employment of Tunisia, under the theme “Technical and vocational education and training between societal culture and labor market requirements, challenges and stakes.”

Dr. AlMalik stressed that the urgent need to stand united in the face of common challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic explains the imperative aspect of the modernization of education systems to ensure the development of human capital, which is the indispensable strategic asset of our countries, pointing out to the importance of meeting the urgent needs and keeping up with societal changes to increase job opportunities, particularly among youth, and eliminate gender discrimination.

The DG also reviewed ICESCO’s various programs and initiatives aimed at improving the quality of performance of educational staff in the Member States, including the establishment of ICESCO Center of Strategic Foresight, the launch of Leadership Incubators Initiative to train young people in the fields of education, science and culture, ICESCO Leadership Training in Peace and Security for Women and Youth, and ICESCO Partnership Program with King Saud University to implement an integrated system of professional teaching certificates, and ICESCO cooperation with SESRIC and OIC in preparing the Strategic Roadmap in Technical and Vocational Education and Training for Muslim Countries (2020-2025).

At the close of his address, ICESCO Director-General stressed the Organization’s keenness to strengthen relations with ALECSO and the specialized organizations as well as ministries and the parties concerned in Member States to develop partnership and coordination in technical and vocational education and training as well as ICESCO’s other areas of competence.