Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, the Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), held a meeting with Mr. Emin Amrullayev, the Minister of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, to explore ways to enhance the outstanding cooperation between ICESCO and Azerbaijan in the field of education and science.
The meeting occurred on Wednesday, 4 October 2023, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Baku, the Capital of Azerbaijan. Significantly, it aligned with the visit of the Director-General of ICESCO who was heading a delegation from the Organization to participate in the 74th International Astronautical Congress.
In the course of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik underlined the key pillars of ICESCO’s vision and its operational strategy, especially in advancing the education system by executing programs and projects that are closely attuned to the priorities and requirements of its Member States. Additionally, he emphasized the spheres of cooperation between the Organization and its international partners, along with its substantial contribution to supporting the endeavors of Member States in the realms of education, science, and culture.

The meeting also delved into the details of proposed collaborative programs and projects between both parties in education. This includes the joint organization of the PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) test in partnership with the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), specifically designed for Islamic World countries. The goal is to assess education systems in these countries, raise awareness among students about the importance of knowledge and basic skills, and elevate the overall quality of education systems.

The two parties agreed on the vital importance of collaborating to organize Olympiad competitions in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics as part of the activities to be held during the celebration of Shusha as the Capital of Culture in the Islamic World 2024, within ICESCO’s Culture Capitals Programme. Furthermore, they discussed providing scholarships to students and implementing cultural exchange programs for young individuals across the Islamic World.
Mr. Amrullayev expressed Azerbaijan’s wish to host the forthcoming Conference of Ministers of Education in the Islamic World, stressing the roles played by ICESCO in serving its Member States in the fields of education, science, and culture.