The Education Sector of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held a meeting with the UAE National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, and the Education Committee for International Organizations Affairs in the UAE Ministry of Education to explore prospects of cooperation and partnership.

The meeting, held on Thursday, February 24, 2022, via videoconference, focused on presenting the current and future activities and projects of the Sector, which can be implemented in cooperation with the concerned UAE authorities. The meeting highlighted the Emirati experience in the field of developing educational systems and how to benefit from it.

Dr. Barry Koumbou, Head of the Education Sector, reviewed the Sector’s general orientations, namely ensuring the right to education for all, especially girls and the neediest and marginalized groups, education quality, educational planning to develop education systems, educating girls and women. She also listed reducing school drop-out, building the capacity of educational staff, prioritizing technological investment in education, as well as supporting traditional Islamic educational institutions.

The meeting also touched upon the key projects to be implemented during the current year, mainly supporting girls’ education who have dropped out of school, digital technology for the right to education, education on the values of citizenship and sustainable development, educational planning to support the development of education systems and education for all.

Ms. Maryam Al Kotbi, Executive Officer at the International Organizations Affairs in the UAE Ministry of Education, commended the Sector’s projects and orientation, stressing their importance and the need to move forward in strengthening joint action and future cooperation with ICESCO and noting the eagerness of the concerned authorities in the United Arab Emirates to support those educational projects and activities.

The meeting brought together Dr. Youssef Abu Daka, Mr. Aziz El Hajir and Dr. Ahmed ElZonfoli, program managers at ICESCO Education Sector.