Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met Dr. Chakib Benmoussa, Moroccan Minister of National Education, Preschool and Sports, President of the Moroccan National Commission for Education, Science and Culture. The meeting examined the means of promoting cooperation between ICESCO and the Kingdom of Morocco in the Organization’s fields of action.
At the outset of the meeting, held on October 29, 2021, at the headquarters of the Ministry, in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik congratulated Dr. Benmoussa for earning the royal trust of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah assist him, and being appointed as the Minister of National Education, Preschool and Sports, wishing him every success in this major mission.
The meeting highlighted the main programs and projects implemented in cooperation between ICESCO and the Ministry, as part of the Organization’s new vision and strategy of action by identifying the respective priorities and needs of Member States, which constitute the core of these programs and projects.
ICESCO DG commended the key role of the Moroccan National Commission in developing an outstanding partnership between ICESCO and the Kingdom of Morocco in many fields. In this regard, the two parties reaffirmed their keenness to pursue joint action in the Organization’s areas of competence.
Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General of ICESCO, also participated in this meeting.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), Secretary-General of the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW), received Dr. Wail Benjelloun, Honorary President of the Mediterranean Universities Union (UNIMED). The meeting explored the prospects for cooperation between FUIW and UNIMED.
The meeting, held on Thursday, October 28, 2021, at ICESCO headquarters, in Rabat, touched upon the arrangements for the Conference on “Women in University Leadership: Reality, Challenges and Prospects” that ICESCO will hold, in January 2022, in cooperation with Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, UNIMED, based in Italy, and the FUIW.
At the close of the meeting, the two parties stressed the importance of building cooperation between the FUIW and UNIMED, particularly in the exchange program between universities, scholarships, academic chairs, and the development of scientific research.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) participated in the 24th World Conference of the World Future Studies Federation (WFSF), held by the Federation in partnership with Prince Muhammad Bin Fahd University in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where Dr. Kais Hammami, Director of ICESCO Strategic Foresight Center, took part in a discussion panel on MENA region, under the title “The Future of Higher Education and Tomorrow’s Skills: Discussing the Role of Higher Education in Reshaping Generations and Preparing Youth for the Digital Age.”
In his videoconference participation, today, October 28, 2021, Dr. Hammami divided his presentation into four parts. In the first part, he touched on a dynamic analysis of the history of foresight in the education sector, stressing that in order to correctly anticipate the future, it is imperative to think about the past. Foresight is a project for the future, and the transition from the past to a better future is integral to the activities of the present.
In the second part of his intervention, he dealt with a diagnosis of the current situation, as he indicated that the main trends that affect the present of education, such as artificial intelligence, demographic situation, and social problems, must be identified to assess the current changes and plan for the possible future in this field. In the third part, he talked about the diversity of future scenarios in education, as he stressed that many international organizations are currently working on developing forward-looking scenarios for the future of education, mainly the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
In the last part of his presentation, he pointed out the desired and potential scenario, stressing that ICESCO Strategic Foresight Center relies in its action on several best practices, which must be taken into account in re-imagining the future of education, especially in the digital age, to establish an educational system based on common knowledge to provide students with education basics in all fields of science and artificial intelligence.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Dr. Issa Saleh Al Hammadi, Director of the Arabic Language Education Center for the Gulf States, to discuss prospects for cooperation between the Organization and the Center in the service of the Arabic language.
During this meeting, held on Thursday, October 28, 2021, at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik praised the distinguished publications of the Arabic Language Education Center for the Gulf States and the issues they address, commending the efforts of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council, Ruler of Sharjah and his contribution to this great achievement. The DG also reviewed ICESCO’s major programmes and activities in the field of teaching Arabic to non-Arabic speakers.
For his part, Dr. Al Hammadi reviewed the Center’s most outstanding achievements during the year 2021 and presented several of the Center’s publications to ICESCO.
At the close of the meeting, the two parties stressed the importance of sustained communication and fruitful cooperation between ICESCO and the Arabic Language Education Center for the Gulf States.
The meeting brought together Dr. Abdelilah Benarfa, Deputy DG, Dr. Majdi Haji Ibrahim, Head of ICESCO Center of Arabic for Non-Arabic Speakers, and Mr. Adel Bouraoui, Advisor to the Director-General for ICESCO’s External Centers and University Chairs in the field of Arabic Language.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), called on countries, governments, organizations and specialized bodies to urgently modernize national education systems and legislations and develop plans to improve the innovative capacities of academic, technical and vocational education institutions by adopting a forward-looking vision to address future challenges and changes, and capitalizing on the artificial intelligence applications and the potential of space science.
This statement was part of Dr. AlMalik’s address, delivered today, October 28, 2021, via videoconference, during the 2nd Conference of Arab Ministers in Charge of Technical and Vocational Education and Training. The Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) held the event, in partnership with the Ministry of Vocational Training and Employment of Tunisia, under the theme “Technical and vocational education and training between societal culture and labor market requirements, challenges and stakes.”
Dr. AlMalik stressed that the urgent need to stand united in the face of common challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic explains the imperative aspect of the modernization of education systems to ensure the development of human capital, which is the indispensable strategic asset of our countries, pointing out to the importance of meeting the urgent needs and keeping up with societal changes to increase job opportunities, particularly among youth, and eliminate gender discrimination.
The DG also reviewed ICESCO’s various programs and initiatives aimed at improving the quality of performance of educational staff in the Member States, including the establishment of ICESCO Center of Strategic Foresight, the launch of Leadership Incubators Initiative to train young people in the fields of education, science and culture, ICESCO Leadership Training in Peace and Security for Women and Youth, and ICESCO Partnership Program with King Saud University to implement an integrated system of professional teaching certificates, and ICESCO cooperation with SESRIC and OIC in preparing the Strategic Roadmap in Technical and Vocational Education and Training for Muslim Countries (2020-2025).
At the close of his address, ICESCO Director-General stressed the Organization’s keenness to strengthen relations with ALECSO and the specialized organizations as well as ministries and the parties concerned in Member States to develop partnership and coordination in technical and vocational education and training as well as ICESCO’s other areas of competence.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), commended the quality and quantity of the remarkable books that the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States (ABEGS) published and reproduced in 2021, tackling key issues. Dr. AlMalik also noted the role and efforts of Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Assimi, ABEGS Director-General, in this great achievement and in strengthening the efforts of the Bureau Member States geared towards developing their educational systems.
The statement was part of Dr. Al-Malik’s address during his participation in the launch of ABEGS’ publications, on Thursday, October 21, 2021, at the Bureau’s headquarters, in Riyadh. DG’s participation was a response to a kind invitation from Dr. Al-Assimi, who indicated that ABEGS provides the new publications and others on its official website and platforms, where visitors can have access to the books’ summaries and buy them online as well.
ABEGS’s new publications include, among others, “Trends Shaping the World in 2019,” “Education in the Gulf Countries: Towards Sustainable Development,” “Bold Goals of Education: How Governments Define the Objectives of Educational Systems,” “Classroom Problems and Solutions: Dealing With the Roots of Academic and Behavioral Problems” “Create, Learn and Succeed: Building the Culture of Creativity in Your School,” “Project-Based Teaching: How to Build up Effective Participatory Learning Experiences,” “Hidden Powers of the Teenage Brain: Strategies for Teaching Middle and High School Students,” “Digital Citizenship: Empowering Students to Engage in Electronic Communities,” “Teachers Rapid Assessment,” and “Teaching Artificial Intelligence: Exploring New Prospects of Learning.”
In August 2021, ABEGS launched an initiative to provide all educators, stakeholders and educational bodies with access to all its educational publications, in either electronic or paper format, to achieve the objectives of the educational sector in supporting educational knowledge.
The 21st meeting of the secretaries-general of the Arab National Commissions for Education, Science and Culture with three International Organizations (the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO), and the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States (ABEGS)) concluded its activities today, Thursday, October 21, 2021. The meeting reviewed projects and joint committee action between the three Organizations explored coordination priorities between the Organizations and the National Commissions before the 41st session of UNESCO’s General Conference and exchanged views on the importance of cooperation between the Organizations and the National Commissions to achieve maximum benefit from programs and activities.
The meeting is part of the 6th Forum of Partnership between the Organizations (ICESCO, ALECSO, and ABEGS), which was held yesterday under the title “Organizations’ Post-Covid 19 Vision and Plans to Confront Emergencies and Crises” with the participation of the directors of the three Organizations and the Secretaries-General of the Arab National Commissions.
Today’s meeting kicked off with a speech by Dr. Mohamed Ould Amar, Director-General (DG) of ALECSO, in which he mentioned ALECSO’s initiatives to overcome the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic by developing remote communication mechanisms. He also stated that this meeting constitutes a new step to continue coordination between the Organizations and strengthen cooperation and partnerships to achieve sustainable development goals in the fields of education, science and culture.
In his speech, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, DG of ICESCO, commended the efforts made by the Secretaries-General of the National Commissions for Education, Science and Culture to implement more programs and projects despite the repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic and the constraints of remote work and direct communication. He also commended the National Commissions’ spirit of sacrifice, commitment to achievement and ambition to excel.
ICESCO DG highlighted the importance of the meeting to build strategic visions for the future of the three Organizations’ fields of competence, especially the field of education. He also reaffirmed ICESCO’s openness to the National Commissions’ proposals and modern visions aimed to develop the Organization’s action plans, strategies and objectives, to help enhance its performance and achievements.
In his speech, Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Assimi, ABEGS’ DG, underlined the great importance that the Bureau attaches to data, stressing the need to provide the Organizations with data and forms to support joint action, enhance communication and prepare accurate reports on the fields of education to highlight Member States’ efforts.
In addition, the Secretaries-General of the National Commission for Education, Science and Culture in the Arab countries reviewed the most prominent programs that were implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic, especially in the field of developing the educational process and ensuring its continuity through digitization and the integration of modern technology.
At the end of the meeting, the Arab National Commissions Secretaries received honorary certificates in appreciation of their efforts in implementing programs and activities in their countries.
The Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) called for allocating resources to support Member States’ efforts to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially with regard to education, science, culture and development. He also called for supporting their efforts to fight poverty, anchor the values of moderation and middle stance, support the youth and women, protect children, provide educational opportunities for refugees and displaced persons, safeguard heritage, develop cultural industries and keep up with the new AI roles, future education models and virtual applications of societal services in general.
The DG made this statement at the opening of the Sixth Partnership Forum of the Organizations ICESCO, the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO), and the Arab Bureau of Education in the Gulf States (ABEGS), held today, Wednesday, October 20, 2021, both face-to-face at ABEGS headquarters in Riyadh and via videoconference. The meeting was held under the theme, “Organizations’ post-COVID-19 vision and plans to address emergencies and crises” and saw the participation of Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Asmi, ABEGS DG, Dr. Mohamed Walad Amar, ALECSO DG, and the Secretaries-General of the National Commissions for Education, Science and Culture in the Arab countries.
Dr. AlMalik highlighted the major initiatives and programs that ICESCO launched and implemented during the pandemic, underscoring that the three international organizations should exert more efforts to sustain communications and promote partnerships to expedite the rate of achieving sustainable development in their respective Member States.
At the close of his address, the DG stated that the meeting should yield joint initiatives between the three organizations to support Member States’ efforts to recover from the pandemic, adding that the three parties should agree on funding mechanisms for implementing these initiatives. He also conveyed ICESCO’s invitation to host the next meeting at its headquarters in Rabat, reiterating the Organization’s strong support for educational, scientific and cultural systems in the Member States.
In his address, Dr. Asmi stated that although it has caused a myriad of challenges in various sectors, the pandemic encouraged innovation in developing alternative solutions to classroom education and highlighted the importance of having pre-existing plans to ensure the continuity of education. He added that this meeting is a step towards exploring future prospects, managing and finding solutions for crises, and an opportunity to benefit from the organizations’ experiences and work during the pandemic.
For his part, Dr. Mohamed Walad Amar talked about the initiatives that ALECSO launched to contribute to the continuity of the educational process during the pandemic, which has an impact on the various aspects of life and imposed virtual communication. The ALECSO official also highlighted several training sessions implemented to ensure the continuity of education.
Ms. Mahra Hilal Mohd E. Almutaiwei, Director of the UNESCO Regional Center for Educational Planning, highlighted the importance of complementarity and coordination among international organizations to achieve sustainable development and allocate resources to develop education. For his part, the Director of UNESCO Regional Center for Quality and Excellence in Education, Dr. Abdeulrahman Al-Diress, stated that it is imperative to anticipate the future of education and find innovative solutions to challenges.
Afterward, representatives from the three organizations presented the respective visions of ICESCO, ALECSO, and ABEGS, which all agree on anticipating the future and adopting technology in addressing crises and emergencies. Several Secretaries-General of Arab National Commissions also talked about the importance of promoting cooperation and partnership between the three organizations.
At the close of its proceedings, the meeting issued many recommendations, which represent a roadmap for promoting cooperation and set mechanisms for joint action to ensure the attainment of shared goals through this partnership.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) took part in the launch ceremony of Crans Montana Forum Africa, held in Rabat, on Monday, October 18, 2021, in partnership with Crans Montana Forum and i-conferences, which specialized in organizing conferences in Europe, with the participation of many African ambassadors. The forum will target the African continent during the post-Covid-19 period.
ICESCO delegation to the launch ceremony included Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, ICESCO Deputy Director-General (DG); Ambassador Khaled Fathalrahman, Director of the Civilizational Dialogue Center; and Dr. Ahmed Said Bah, Advisor to ICESCO DG for Partnerships and International Cooperation.
Crans Montana Forum Africa aims to create a platform for dialogue to link the African countries and give top priority to the efforts geared towards countering the economic repercussions of Covid-19 pandemic on the African continent. The Forum will hold its first session on June 30 through July 2, 2022, in Brussels, Belgium.
Crans Montana Forum is an international non-governmental organization, founded in 1986. Its primary objective consists of promoting international cooperation by consolidating the best practices and establishing permanent dialogue between the public and private sectors.
I-conferences is among Morocco’s international partners, specialized in holding major economic conferences in Africa since 2004.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held a meeting with Dr. Pascale Ehrenfreund, President of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) and the International Space University (ISU) to discuss cooperation opportunities in the field of space science and applications.
During the meeting, held Friday, October 15, 2021, via videoconference, the two parties discussed the joint creation of an ICESCO chair at the International Space University to promote scientific research in the field of space science and applications and provision of training opportunities for space science students and researchers in the Arab world, as well as the organization of seminars, conferences, and training sessions in the field of space science and applications.
Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed that the Organization’s programmes and activities support the development of research institutes and centers in the Arab world through the involvement of young people in the field of space science and encouragement of ICESCO Member States to introduce space science and technology into school and university curricula. He added that space science will shape the future, therefore, states should promote the use of space applications to keep pace with modern developments.
For her part, Dr. Pascale Ehrenfreund stressed the importance of cooperation between ICESCO, the Federation and the University, particularly in organizing fora, activities and training workshops on space science, and expressed her pleasure about taking part in the joint Space Foundation/ICESCO Global Space Forum to be held on November 1-3, 2021, under the theme “Exploring the Space Science Future – Together.”
The meeting was also attended by Dr. Raheel Qamar, Head of ICESCO Science and Technology Sector, Dr. Muhammad Sharif, Advisor at the Sector, Dr. Abdul Rehman, Expert at the Sector; and Dr. Nicolas Peter, Professor of the Practice in Space Policy and International Affairs at the International Space University.
