Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Dr. Rahma bint Ibrahim Al Mahrooqi, Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation of the Sultanate of Oman, and together explored means for promoting cooperation between ICESCO and Oman in encouraging scientific research in universities and research centers, developing youth capacities and supporting them in the areas of entrepreneurship, modern technology, innovation, and space science and providing scholarships and training.

During the meeting, held on Sunday, May 21, 2023, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Muscat, in the presence of Ms. Amna Al Balushi, Secretary-General of the Omani National Commission, Dr. AlMalik reviewed the major initiatives and programs implemented by ICESCO in collaboration with its Member States aimed at supporting and empowering the Islamic world’s youth and women, enhancing their competences in the fields of modern technology and innovation, establishing university chairs and providing scholarships and training opportunities, calling on Omani universities to join ICESCO’s Federation of Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW) to promote the exchange of experiences and knowledge.

ICESCO DG added that the Organization has established various specialized centers, each dedicated to a specific area of focus, notably civilizational dialogue, strategic foresight, and teaching Arabic to non-Arabic speakers, as well as the preservation and valorization of the Islamic world’s heritage. He noted that these centers, along with ICESCO’s sectors and departments, play a pivotal role in implementing the Organization’s vision and its strategic orientations.

For her part, Dr. Al Mahrooqi provided an overview of Oman’s dedicated efforts and highlighted the key aspects of the Ministry’s strategic plan regarding the Fourth Industrial Revolution and forward-looking perspectives. She also underscored the importance of supporting entrepreneurship and enhancing cooperation between ICESCO and the Ministry in establishing scientific chairs within Omani universities, as well as fostering joint scientific studies and research endeavors.

At the close of the meeting, the two parties agreed on developing a set of joint programs between ICESCO and the Ministry, namely the scientific Omani Encyclopedia project in East Africa, ICESCO’s CanSat design workshop for researchers and students at Omani universities, and ICESCO’s Leadership Training in Peace and Security (LTIPS) for women and youth.

The meeting was attended by Ambassador Khalid Fathalrahman, Head of ICESCO’s Civilizational Dialogue Center, and Dr. Salim Al Habsi, Program Manager at the General Secretariat of National Commissions and Conferences.