Category: Director General

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) signed a memorandum of understanding to set a practical framework for partnership, cooperation, coordination and complementarity between the two parties to better serve Muslim countries in various fields.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, and Mr. Hussein Ibrahim Taha, OIC Secretary-General, signed the memorandum of understanding, on Tuesday (4 October 2022), at the OIC headquarters, in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in the presence of several officials, heads of sectors and directors of departments from the two Organizations.

In his statement, OIC Secretary-General reaffirmed that this memorandum of understanding emphasizes the willingness of the two Organizations to promote their partnership for the benefit of Muslim countries, considering that this is a historic day.

He also expressed his sincere thanks and deep gratitude to ICESCO Director-General and his delegation as well as all ICESCO’s staff for their outstanding achievements to serve the Member States in the fields of education, science and culture.

For his part, Dr. AlMalik expressed his happiness at the signing of this memorandum of understanding to develop a partnership between ICESCO and OIC, the umbrella Organization, in such a way as to achieve the common objectives of the two Organizations and support the efforts of their Member States in modernizing education, science and culture.

Dr. AlMalik thanked the OIC Secretary-General and all the Organization’s staff for the warm welcome and affirmation of the desire to build constructive cooperation with ICESCO.

The memorandum of understanding aims at promoting cooperation and coordination between the General Secretariat of OIC and ICESCO in the implementation of several projects and programmes in the fields of education, science and culture, disseminating, strengthening and preserving the Islamic values based on moderation, tolerance, civilizational dialogue and peace-building, promoting international awareness of Islamic culture, and encouraging scientific research, innovation, technological development and artificial intelligence to lay solid foundations for knowledge societies.

The memorandum of understanding provides for setting up a committee for cooperation and coordination, which will include experts, officials and the heads of the sectors of partnership, cooperation, education, science and culture, to supervise the approved programmes and activities, coordinate, follow up on their implementation and assess their outcomes.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Mr. Hissein Ibrahim Taha, Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and together they agreed to widen the scope of partnership and cooperation between the two organizations to support Member States’ sustainable development programs and promote joint Islamic action.

Following the bilateral meeting, held today Tuesday, October 4, 2022, at the OIC headquarters in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the two officials joined the technical meeting between OIC and ICESCO officials and heads of sectors and departments. The technical meeting focused on highlighting the two organizations’ key programs and projects and explored prospects of cooperation in the implementation of several ones, in addition to discussing proposals for new joint programs and activities.

Dr. AlMalik and Mr. Taha then listened to a presentation by Amb. Tarek Ali Bekhit, OIC Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian, Cultural and Social Affairs, and Ms. Amira Fadel, Head of ICESCO’s Sector of Partnerships and International Cooperation, which discussed the meeting’s outcomes regarding cooperation in the implementation of several programs and projects to support the Member States, especially in the fields of social development, education, science, culture and communication. The presentation also reflected the two parties’ eagerness to promote coordination and complementarity between the two organizations.

At the close of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik and Mr. Taha signed an MoU between ICESCO and OIC which provides the general framework for cooperation between the two parties.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Mr. Yahya Mohamed Elias, Ambassador of the Republic of Comoros to the Kingdom of Morocco, where they discussed ways to develop and strengthen cooperation between ICESCO and Comoros in the fields of education, science and culture.

At the beginning of the meeting, held on Wednesday (September 28, 2022), Dr. Al-Malik reaffirmed ICESCO’s keenness to develop cooperation and partnership with Comoros, within the framework of the Organization’s new vision and strategic orientations through openness and communication with the Member States, and implement programmes and initiatives that meet the needs of these countries are in the fields of education, science and culture.

He pointed out that ICESCO attaches great importance to consolidating the values of peace and civilizational dialogue, building the capacities of women and youth, encouraging investment in space sciences and scientific research, and supporting Member States’ efforts to benefit from modern technologies and AI applications to achieve sustainable development.
For his part, the Ambassador of Comoros commended ICESCO’s outstanding roles in supporting the Member States in its areas of competence, promoting peace and openness and presenting the correct image of Islam, stressing Comoros’ keenness to develop cooperation with ICESCO and implement several joint initiatives in the fields of education, science and culture.

The meeting saw the presence of Ms. Amira El-Fadil, Head of Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector, and Mr. Najib Ghiati, Cultural Adviser to ICESCO Director-General.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), participated, via videoconference, in the graduation ceremony, held by the Yemeni Embassy in Rabat, on Monday (September 26, 2022), in honor of 84 Yemeni student researchers, who obtained their Ph.D. degrees from Moroccan universities in various disciplines, in 2022.

In his address, Dr. AlMalik stressed that education remains the path that can preserve identity and open up future prospects, whatever the circumstances. “Yemen will overcome the war and restore its stability and security. I thank the Kingdom of Morocco for the scholarships offered to Yemeni students to pursue their studies in Moroccan universities,” stated ICESCO DG.

He added that ICESCO is fully prepared to receive several graduates to spend training periods in its various sectors and departments to hone their skills and ensure their professional integration.
In his opening remark, Ambassador EzzEl-Din Al-Asbah, Yemen’s Ambassador to Morocco, pointed out that this ceremony coincides with the 60th anniversary of Yemen’s September 26 Revolution Day, which reflects the importance of education in guiding Yemen out of the chaos and raising the voice of reason and knowledge.

He pointed out that the graduation of 84 Yemeni researchers from Moroccan universities indicates the strong ties between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Yemen, reviewing the distribution of graduates among Moroccan universities.

In the address delivered on behalf of Mr. Abdellatif Miraoui, Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation of the Kingdom of Morocco, Ms. Sanaa Zabbakh, Director of Partnerships and International Cooperation at the Ministry, stressed that the number of graduates reflects the strong ties between Morocco and Yemen, adding that Moroccan universities fully support Yemeni students. For his part, Mr. Hicham Oussi Hammou, from the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation, congratulated the students for their hard work, commending the efforts of the Yemeni Embassy in Rabat.

The Financial Control Committee of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) concluded its annual meeting, on Friday (23 September 2022), at the Organization’s headquarters, in Rabat, and issued its final report for the financial year 2021.

The three-day meeting was chaired by Mr. Yussuf Ali Najar, representative of the State of Kuwait, Chairman of the Committee, the membership of which includes Mr. Abdulaziz Saad Aldabas, representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Rapporteur, Mr. Araz Baghirli, representative of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Mr. Mohammad Khanafei Bin Mohammad Jamil, representative of Malaysia, as well as Mr. Hadji Habib Kébé, representative of the Republic of Senegal, who participated via videoconference.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, commended the efforts of the Financial Control Committee throughout the past years and the technical advice and strategic vision it provided to ICESCO to develop its financial governance and modernize its administrative systems and management and accounting procedures.

During a meeting with the Financial Control Committee, which saw the presence of Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General of ICESCO, and several heads of sector and directors of department of ICESCO, Dr. AlMalik stressed that ICESCO General Directorate adopts transparency and credibility in its work, indicating that it welcomes the recommendations and proposals of the Committee, as well as the decisions and resolutions of the previous sessions the Executive Council and the General Conference respectively to develop its working mechanisms.

For his part, the Chairman of the ICESCO Finance Control Committee praised the clear development within the Organization, and thanked ICESCO Director-General and officials, explaining that the Committee examined all the documents placed on the agenda and stated its recommendations in the final report.

The Committee’s meeting examined the follow-up on the implementation of its recommendations for the past year, the financial report of the General Directorate of ICESCO, the closing accounts for the financial year 2021, and the audit company’s report for 2021, and reviewed the Governance Guide of ICESCO and other items related to the financial and administrative affairs of the Organization.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with His Excellency Mr. Mahmoud Abbas, Palestinian President, in New York on Thursday, September 22, 2022.

During the meeting, Dr. AlMalik reviewed ICESCO’s new vision and strategic orientations, and the key programmes and activities that it is implementing to support the efforts of its Member States in advancing the fields of education, science and culture to keep pace with the rapid changes in the world.

ICESCO DG emphasized that the Organization places Palestine and Al-Quds at the forefront of its priorities, by supporting a set of programmes and projects aimed at developing the educational, cultural and scientific sectors in Palestine, and contributing to the protection and preservation of Palestinian historical sites and their inscription on the Islamic World Heritage Lists.

He also hailed the pioneering role played by the Palestinian National Commission for Education, Culture and Science.

For his part, the Palestinian President commended ICESCO’s role in advancing the educational, cultural and scientific fields in the countries of the Islamic world, including Palestine, in light of the Israeli occupation’s attacks on educational rights, mainly in Al-Quds, and on the cultural capabilities of the Palestinian people through blurring, distortion and forgery, as well as attempts to steal and alter the landmarks of Palestinian heritage and archaeological sites, in clear violation of all relevant international charters and treaties. He also highlighted the importance of ICESCO and other international organizations in protecting the right to education and preserving Palestinian heritage and culture.

The meeting brought together Mr. Ziad Abu Amr, Member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, Deputy Prime Minister, Dr. Dawas Dawas, Secretary-General of the Palestinian National Commission for Education, Science and Culture, Chairman of ICESCO’s Executive Council, Ambassador Mr. Mounir Anastas, Permanent Delegate of Palestine to UNESCO, and Ms. Amira El Fadil, Head of ICESCO Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), revealed the Organization’s strategic orientation to digitize transforming girls’ education as indicated in ICESCO’s study, prepared in cooperation with external experts, which features five strategies: capitalizing on the integration of educational technology using a multi-media approach, providing non-conventional and comprehensive educational tools for girls, using artificial intelligence and machine learning, providing girls with basic skills to keep pace with development, and enhancing teachers’ ability to use modern technology.

This statement was part of Dr. AlMalik’s address at the “Transforming Girls’ Education Forum,” held on Wednesday (September 21, 2022), in New York, by the Government of the Republic of Niger, in partnership with ICESCO, UNESCO, the United Nations Population Fund and the Global Partnership for Education, following the United Nations Transforming Education Summit, to raise awareness of the importance of ensuring girls’ right to education, stressing the need to update school curricula, proposing plans and measures to transform girls’ education, and combating their school dropout, especially in conflict areas.

The Forum saw high-level participation, including His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Bazoum, President of the Republic of Niger, Dr. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, and Ms. Deine Keita, Deputy Executive Director for Programs of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), as well as the representatives of the United Nations agencies, civil society organizations, Nobel laureates, and several educational institutions.

At the outset of his address, Dr. Al-Malik thanked His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco, for his continued support for ICESCO, and commended the constant involvement of the President of Niger in education development, stressing the importance of this forum and noting that investment in girls’ education gives them the opportunity to become effective actors in achieving sustainable development.

Besides, he stressed that girl’s education is not limited to access to school; it should help them acquire modern skills in line with the future labor market to bring about the desired positive change, calling for concerted efforts to mainstream transforming girls’ education, invest in early childhood education, empower and support young women in leadership business, and develop modern curricula.

Moreover, He reviewed ICESCO’s key initiatives and programmes geared toward providing safe educational spaces for students and girls, most notably the girls’ digital laboratories programme and ICESCO children’s libraries and e-learning centers.

During the forum sessions, participants shared the best practices, efforts, achievements and challenges of transforming girls’ education, announced specific plans and commitments to transform girls’ education, and agreed to establish a collaborative network for girls’ education.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Dr. Eun Mee Kim, President of Ewha Womans University in South Korea, discussed cooperation prospects between ICESCO and the University in the areas of developing scientific research, granting scholarships and implementing joint programmes to build girls and women’s capacities, as well as exchange experiences with Member Universities of the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW).

The meeting was held on Wednesday, September 21, 2022, in New York, following both officials’ participation in the United Nations Transforming Education Summit, where Dr. AlMalik reviewed the key parts of ICESCO’s new vision and strategic orientations, which accord special importance to building the capacities of girls and women and contributing to achieving equality in educational opportunities while stressing the Organization’s eagerness to enhance cooperation and openness to prestigious international universities around the world.

The meeting touched upon cooperation proposals between ICESCO and Ewha Womans University in South Korea, including establishing an ICESCO research chair at the Korean University, launching joint programmes and activities to support girls and women, building cooperation between the University and ICESCO’s FUIW, and granting several University scholarships for female students from the Islamic world. The two parties agreed to coordinate to sign a cooperation agreement covering programmes and activities of common interest.

For her part, Dr. Eun Mee Kim commanded ICESCO’s openness to cooperation with educational and research institutions and its support for scientific research, highlighting the University’s keenness to cooperate with ICESCO. She also invited ICESCO DG to visit the University’s headquarters in Korea.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), underlined that the Organization accords particular importance to protecting children and building their capacities to empower them to lead positive social change, noting that ICESCO, through its programmes and initiatives, adopts strategic policies for enhancing basic services, transforming education, combating violence, and investing in the future.

This statement came in his address on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, during the “Justice for Africa’s Children” Forum, organized by the Global Alliance of Nobel Laureates and World Leaders for Children, in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations’ Transforming Education Summit (TES). The event saw the participation of high-caliber personalities, including ministers, representatives of international organizations, and Nobel Laureates, and is aimed at casting light on the importance of justice for Africa’s children, ensuring equal access to education, and addressing challenges related to climate change and child labour, particularly in conflict and disaster zones.

At the outset of his address, ICESCO DG indicated that the repercussions of deprivation affect children, families, communities, and nations and that ensuring healthcare, education, human dignity and security for children contributes to achieving sustainable development.

He added that the African continent needs special attention, given the large demographic growth that it is witnessing, and the sharp increase in its child population, who is still vulnerable to poverty, school dropout, and violence. “If we join hands to bring justice to Africa’s children by scaling up investment in basic services, education, healthcare, and protection, we will empower them to enhance the socio-economic conditions in the continent,” noted ICESCO DG.

Dr. Al-Malik stressed that ICESCO is committed to supporting children, youth, and women, and is working to develop their creative skills by building their leadership capacities through its pioneering programmes, namely the Leadership Training in Peace and Security (LTIPS). It is worth noting that fifty male and female candidates representing 45 countries were selected to participate as peace ambassadors in the 2022 edition of the programme.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Dr. Rana Tanveer Hussain, Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, held a meeting to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation between ICESCO and Pakistan in the field of education.

The meeting was held on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, in New York, following both officials’ participation in the United Nations Transforming Education Summit, and was attended by the ICESCO delegation. The Director-General seized this opportunity to congratulate Dr. Hussain on his new position as Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training in Pakistan, wishing him success in his new mission.

The meeting focused on several ongoing ICESCO programmes and projects, and the possibility for Pakistan to benefit from them. The two parties also agreed on launching the Project to Improve Water and Sanitation Services in Rural Schools in Pakistan, as part of a project currently being implemented by ICESCO in many of its Member States to improve these services in a thousand rural schools.
Moreover, the two parties agreed to hold training sessions and workshops for Pakistani teachers and to cooperate in the field of “greening education,” by capitalizing on modern technology, setting up digital libraries to support children’s education and developing online education.

At the close of the meeting, ICESCO Director-General invited the Pakistani Minister to take part in one of ICESCO’s upcoming conferences on education, an invitation the Minister promised to accept soon.