Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), held a meeting with Mr. Cheikh Oumar Anne, the Senegalese Minister of National Education and President of UNESCO and ICESCO’s National Commissions, to discuss ways of enhancing partnership between ICESCO and the Republic of Senegal to leverage modern technologies to advance education, confront school dropout and teach Arabic.

During the meeting, held on Tuesday, 9 January 2024, at the Ministry’s headquarters, in Dakar, Dr. AlMalik highlighted ICESCO’s key initiatives, programs and projects in education, which are geared towards ensuring inclusive and quality education for all, confronting school dropouts, especially among girls, instilling the values of tolerance, coexistence and peace in educational curricula, and building the capacity of teachers in modern technologies.

For his part, Mr. Oumar Anne commended ICESCO’s efforts in supporting its Member States in the field of education, stressing the willingness of the Senegalese Ministry of National Education to promote collaboration with the Organization in areas of mutual interests.

Moreover, the meeting discussed cooperation proposals between ICESCO and Senegal during the next phase, mainly promoting the use of artificial intelligence in education, supporting Qurʾānic schools in Senegal, and convening an international conference on the challenges and future of Qurʾānic schools, with the participation of representatives of countries that adopt this educational system.

The two sides also discussed ways of cooperation in the field of teaching Arabic and the possibility of establishing a regional educational center for ICESCO in Senegal.

At the end of the meeting, the two parties agreed to continue coordination to arrange for ICESCO experts to visit their counterparts in the Senegalese Ministry to develop practical plans for cooperation in implementing several specific programs and projects.

The meeting saw the presence of Ms. Ramata Almamy Mbaye, Director of Human and Social Sciences Sector and Mr. Alioune Ndiaye, Head of Peace Department in the Sector.