The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) hosted a delegation of 80 participants in the first edition of the Maghreb Education Federation on Thursday, 4 July 2024, at its headquarters. The Open Day brought together university professors and doctoral students from various universities in Europe, the Maghreb, and West Africa.

In his welcoming remarks, Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, ICESCO Deputy Director-General, outlined the Organization’s mission, vision, strategic orientations, key initiatives and programs in education, science, and culture, as well as the major achievements and transformations it has undergone in its new phase.

Dr. Khalid Samadi, President of the Maghreb Education Federation, provided an overview of the Federation and its objectives, appreciating the delegation’s presence to learn about ICESCO’s areas of competence and its efforts in serving its Member States.

A video introducing ICESCO was then screened, followed by presentations by Dr. Omar Halli, Advisor to ICESCO’s Director-General for the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW), Dr. Ahmed Al-Banyan, Supervisor of the Education Sector, Ms. Ramata Almamy Mbaye, Head of the Social and Human Sciences Sector, and Dr. Youssef Ismaili, Expert at the ICESCO Center of Arabic for Non-Arabic Speakers. These presentations covered the working mechanisms of the various sectors and centers within ICESCO, as well as the key programs and projects being implemented.

The meeting concluded with a discussion session between the doctoral students, university professors, and ICESCO representatives.

At the end of the meeting, Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa took the delegation on a tour of the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization, currently housed at ICESCO’s headquarters.