Dr. AlMalik: Fostering Innovation and Critical Thinking among Students Is Key to Building a Future Rooted in Equity and Creativity

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), emphasized the need to strengthening students’ critical-thinking skills, fostering innovation, disseminating knowledge, and providing young people with opportunities to build a better future rooted in equity, creativity, and humanity.

The remarks forms part of an address delivered by Dr. AlMalik as Guest of Honor during the opening session of the third IB Global Conference, which opened in Lyon, France, on Thursday, 22 October 2026. Held under the theme “Shared learning, shared futures,” the three-day Conference brings together 1,800 education officials and experts, school leaders, and teachers from 96 countries.

Dr. AlMalik highlighted that the relationship between teachers and learners is founded on knowledge, trust, and guidance. He commended the role of the third IB Global Conference in promoting the exchange of educational expertise, ideas, and knowledge, and in providing a platform for dialogue among educators from around the world to support young people in realizing their potential and developing solutions with tangible impact to educational challenges.

ICESCO Director-General affirmed that the transformations brought about by artificial intelligence and technology, which have made information more accessible, render the capacity for sound judgment and informed opinion increasingly urgent. This, he noted, requires preparing young people to assume this responsibility through sustained investment in their capacities.

He also highlighted the importance of the joint ICESCO–IB project to develop the “first ICESCO standards and professional practice tool for teachers and school leaders.” The project forms part of the strong partnership between the two Organizations, which includes the IB’s participation in the third ICESCO Conference of Education Ministers, held in the Sultanate of Oman in October 2024, and the signing of a memorandum of a MoU between the two sides in April 2026.

Dr. AlMalik concluded his address by urging participating school leaders, teachers, and educators to embrace innovative ideas and translate them into an impact that extends to the lives of students and learners.

ICESCO is participating in the Conference with a delegation headed by Dr. AlMalik, and comprising Dr. Ahmed Albanyan, Head of the Education Sector, Supervisor of the Translation and Publishing Center, and Mr. Waqas Afridi, Expert at the Sector.
The delegation members will take part in several sessions and discussions on efforts to enhance the quality of education in the Islamic world.