His Excellency Dr. Arif Rahman Alvi, President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Chancellor of the Quaid-i-Azam University, presented an honorary doctorate from the University to Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in a grand ceremony at the presidential palace in Islamabad on March 22, 2023. The ceremony was attended by the University’s Vice Chancellor, college deans, faculty members, as well as the Head of the Higher Education Commission and the Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan.

Quaid-i-Azam University, one of the largest universities in Pakistan, awarded this prestigious degree to Dr. AlMalik in recognition of his commendable contributions to advancing education, science and culture, as well as his distinguished efforts to promote educational, scientific and cultural cooperation among the countries of the Islamic world. It is worth noting that since its inception in 1967, the University has granted honorary doctorates to only ten individuals, including presidents and Nobel Prize-winning scientists.

ICESCO DG expressed his great delight at receiving this prestigious degree from Quaid-i-Azam University from the Pakistani President who personally presented the degree, which is a recognition of ICESCO’s valuable contributions to its areas of competence as well as its efforts to modernize its vision and strategic orientations over the past three years.

Following the ceremony, Dr. Alvi and Dr. AlMalik held a meeting, where ICESCO DG reviewed the Organization’s vision and action strategy, along with its programs and projects implemented in cooperation with competent authorities in its Member States, particularly those geared towards equipping youth and women with the necessary capacities to face future challenges, and investing in space science and modern technology and harnessing their potential to advance education and culture in light of the fourth industrial revolution.

The Pakistani President praised ICESCO’s roles and the projects it implements to best serve the countries of the Islamic world, emphasizing Pakistan’s keenness to support the Organization’s various programs.