Category: Director General

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the Arab Republic of Egypt, and Saleh Kamel Humanitarian Foundation signed a memorandum of understanding for the implementation of the International Professional Teaching Certificates Project for the benefit of 2000 male and female teachers in several Egyptian governorates.

The MoU was signed, at a major ceremony, in Cairo, on Tuesday (30 August 2022), by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director General (DG); Dr. Mohamed Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, President of the Egyptian National Commission for Education, Science and Culture; and Mr. Abdullah Saleh Kamel, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Saleh Kamel Humanitarian Foundation.

In his address during the signing ceremony, Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed that the project will provide teachers with the professional conditions to fulfill their tasks, pointing out that professional certificates aim at advancing training programmes and preserving the rights of teachers, who devote their lives to the honorable profession of teaching, facing various challenges to see their students at the summit of success.

Besides, he explained that this full-fledged project is based on a participatory vision, which consists of specialization, experience and capabilities, noting that ICESCO’s supervisory role in this project stems from the Organization’s interest in education as one of its top priorities.

In concluding his address, ICESCO DG expressed his thanks to King Saud University for supporting the project academically, the Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education for promoting the project locally, and Saleh Kamel Humanitarian Foundation for funding this ambitious project, hoping to see it replicated in the near future in many Muslim countries.

In his address, Dr. Muhammad Ayman Ashour welcomed the representatives of international organizations and university presidents, stressing that this project comes in the context of the unprecedented impact of the current global challenges in light of technological advancements and the radical change in education, which requires well-qualified staff to deal with these transformations.

He also expressed his pride in choosing the Arab Republic of Egypt to launch the project, which will be replicated in many Muslim countries, concluding his address by thanking Saleh Kamel Humanitarian Foundation, King Saud University and ICESCO.

For his part, Mr. Abdullah Saleh Kamel indicated that the funding provided for the project is in line with the Foundation’s vision and interest in sustainable endowment projects, and aims at maximizing the impact of educational outputs given the role of teachers as the cornerstone of the educational process. “We also seek to enhance the contribution of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to global humanitarian action, which is an integral part of the Kingdom’s ambitious 2030 Vision,” he added.

The MoU provides for the implementation of the project over a three-year period in Egypt while ensuring coordination with the competent parties in the Arab Republic of Egypt to prepare periodic progress reports, assess the performance of beneficiary teachers, and measure the impact of qualification in the educational field.

The Professional teaching Certificates Project aims to build a comprehensive system to develop teachers’ skills and provide them with the necessary competencies in their various specialties and fields to achieve the objectives of educational curricula. Among the key outputs of the project is to allow 100.000 teachers from the ICESCO Member States to obtain the International Teaching Certificates (PCT), within the framework of the Organization’s vision aimed at supporting the modernization of its educational process.

ICESCO and SAKHF Explore Prospects of Social and Humanitarian Cooperation

Cairo: 31/8/2022

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Mr. Abdulah Saleh Kamel, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Saleh A. Kamel Humanitarian Foundation (SAKHF), and together they explored prospects of cooperation between ICESCO and the Foundation in the implementation of several projects on humanitarian aids and building the capacities of women and young people.

At the beginning of the meeting, held on Tuesday 30 August 2022, following the signing ceremony of an MoU on the implementation of the project of the Professional International Certification in Teaching in Egypt, Dr. AlMalik and Mr. Abdullah Saleh Kamel expressed their delight at the launch of this project, hoping that this project would be the start of greater cooperation between the two institutions.

In this connection, Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed that the Organization aims at developing innovative projects and programs that address the needs of the Member States in the humanitarian fields, especially for people with special needs, children, and building the capacities of women and young people. The Director-General also highlighted the outcomes of the Project of the Fight against COVID-19 through Supporting Innovation and Developing Entrepreneurial Capacities among Women and Young People, which was implemented in 10 African countries and succeeded in supporting large numbers of women and girls. The DG added that ICESCO also organized several medical, educational and scientific caravans to help fight school dropouts, stressing that ICESCO prioritizes the projects of teaching and spreading the Arabic language.

For his part, Mr. Kamel expressed the Foundation’s readiness to cooperate with ICESCO in areas of common interest in service of the Islamic world, noting that the Foundation has conducted a detailed study on the needs of some countries in order to implement a number of projects.

The Chairman then gave an overview of the Future Geniuses Initiative that the Foundation is implementing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to support young people in the fields of technology.

At the close of the meeting, the two parties agreed to review future projects and programs, to be implemented in cooperation between ICESCO and SAKHF in the upcoming period.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Dr. Mohamad Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the Arab Republic of Egypt, held a meeting to discuss the latest developments in cooperation between ICESCO and Egypt in the fields of education, science and culture.

At the outset of the meeting, held on Tuesday, August 30, 2022, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Higher Education in Cairo, Dr. AlMalik congratulated Dr. Ashour on assuming the position of Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the presidency of the Egyptian National Commission for Education, Science and Culture and the presidency of the ICESCO’s General Conference till 2025, hoping he will succeed in all the tasks entrusted to him.

Both parties reviewed the key programmes and activities that are currently being implemented in Egypt, in partnership between ICESCO and the competent authorities, as well as the most important programmes to be launched, mainly the project for the international professional teaching certificates for the benefit of 2000 teachers in several Egyptian governorates, in association with Saleh Kamel Humanitarian Foundation. The Memorandum of Understanding of this Project will be signed in Cairo today.

During the meeting, the two parties agreed to cooperate in the implementation of three important initiatives, the first is related to organizing a meeting in Egypt between ICESCO’s Member States National Commissions for Education, Science and Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation, to discuss developing beneficial cooperation between the countries of the Islamic world in the field of knowledge.

The second initiative is related to coordinating the launch of the Fund for Education and Supporting Talents in the Islamic World, which was proposed by His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, during his opening of the 14th session of ICESCO’s General Conference, which was hosted by Egypt in December.

The third initiative is related to the implementation of President El-Sisi’s initiative to donate 100 scholarships to young people from the Islamic world in Egyptian universities, in coordination with ICESCO.

The meeting also touched upon cooperation in establishing several ICESCO scientific chairs in several Egyptian universities to support scientific research. The Egyptian Minister of Higher Education commended the development and modernization that ICESCO has witnessed since Dr. AlMalik assumed its general directorate.

At the close of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik and Dr. Ashour reiterated the continuation of the distinguished cooperation and partnership between ICESCO and Egypt, and the investment of this partnership to further enhance cooperation among the Islamic world in education, science and culture.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met Dr. Nevine Al-Kilani, Minister of Culture of the Arab Republic of Egypt, to explore and develop cooperation between ICESCO and Egypt in the field of culture.

At the outset of the meeting, held on Tuesday (August 30, 2022), at the Ministry headquarters in Cairo, Dr. AlMalik congratulated Dr. Nevine Al-Kilani for her new position as the Egyptian Minister of Culture, wishing her every success.

Afterward, Dr. AlMalik reviewed the salient programmes and activities of ICESCO in its areas of competence, highlighting the attention the Organization accords to cultural heritage, as part of its new vision and strategic orientations, to contribute to its promotion through the potential of relevant modern technologies.

The meeting, which saw the presence of the members of the ICESCO delegation and some officials from the Ministry, tackled the activities, which have been implemented so far, as part of the Celebration of Cairo as Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2022. The two parties agreed to continue these activities and ensure coordination to organize a major closing ceremony of the celebration, in March 2023.

For her part, Dr. Al-Kilani commended the roles of ICESCO, stressing the Ministry’s willingness to continue the outstanding cooperation and partnership with the Organization.

At the close of the meeting, ICESCO DG presented the Minister with the ICESCO shield while the latter presented ICESCO DG with the shield of the Ministry of Culture.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received a delegation from the Saudi National Commission for Education, Science and Culture, headed by Mr. Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Alblihed, Commission Secretary-General, during the delegation’s visit to ICESCO headquarters.

During the meeting, held on Tuesday, August 23, 2022, Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed ICESCO’s keenness to promote its strategic relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the fields of education, science and culture, as part of the Organization’s new vision and action strategy, noting that ICESCO and the Kingdom are currently implementing several joint programs.

Moreover, the DG stated that ICESCO is working on promoting cooperation and partnership with all parties for the benefit of the Islamic world. He added that ICESCO is implementing a number of programs and projects aiming at building the capacities of women and young people, anchoring the values of coexistence, tolerance, peace and civilizational dialogue, respecting cultural diversity, and promoting investment in modern technology to achieve sustainable development.

For his part, Mr. Alblihed stressed the keenness of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to build a fruitful partnership with ICESCO, commending its roles in serving its Member States in the fields of education, science, and culture. He also commended ICESCO’s efforts to support its Member States’ endeavors to keep up with the tremendous technological advances.

Afterward, Mr. Hani Mansi, Advisor at the Saudi National Commission, gave a detailed presentation where he gave an overview of the Commission’s work and highlighted its vision, goals, and strategic plan for cooperation with ICESCO in the implementation of many leading initiatives and projects, in partnership with several Saudi bodies, ministries, and government institutions.

Following the meeting, Dr. AlMalik took the National Commission’s delegation on a tour of the youth training incubators and the Meshkat Hall which is equipped with the latest technologies to host virtual training sessions and workshops.

The meeting was also attended by some of ICESCO’s heads of sectors and departments. The National Commission’s delegation consisted of Mr. Mohamad Alaidarous, Commission Advisor; Ms. Salma Al-Jabri, Head of Communication and Information; and Ms. Alaa Alanazi, Legal Aid at the Commission.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) received Ms. Mawddah Omar Haj Al-Toum, Ambassador of the Republic of the Sudan to the Kingdom of Morocco, where they discussed ways to enhance cooperation between ICESCO and the Sudan in the fields of education, science and culture.
At the outset of the meeting, held on Monday (August 22, 2022) at ICESCO Headquarters, in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik congratulated Ms. Mawddah Al-Toum on her new position as the Sudan’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco, wishing her every success.

Afterward, Dr. AlMalik reviewed ICESCO’s new vision and strategic orientations, which hinge upon openness to and communication with the Member States and the implementation of programmes and initiatives that meet their needs in the fields of education, science and culture, noting that ICESCO attaches great importance to the values of peace and civilizational dialogue, building the capacities of women and youth, encouraging investment in space science and scientific research, and supporting Member States’ efforts to benefit from modern technologies and artificial intelligence applications to achieve sustainable development.

The meeting also tackled the aspects of cooperation between ICESCO and the Sudan in enhancing the status of teaching Arabic to non-Arabic speakers by writing the local African languages in the Arabic script to preserve them from extinction, and the importance of inscribing the Sudanese cultural elements and heritage sites on ICESCO’s Islamic World Heritage List.

For her part, the Sudanese Ambassador commended ICESCO’s support for the Member States in its areas of action, stressing the Sudan’s keenness to continue constructive cooperation with ICESCO.

The meeting was also attended by Ambassador Khaled Fathalrahman, Director of the Center for Civilizational Dialogue, Mr. Mohamed Hedi Shili, Director of the Department of Legal Affairs and International Standards, and Mr. Omar Hamid, Expert at the Sector of Partnerships and International Cooperation.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), congratulated Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed on his appointment as Chairman of the Higher Education Commission of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, by Mr. Shahbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan, wishing him every success in his new responsibilities. ICESCO DG also commended his efforts during his tenure at ICESCO, where he assumed many roles, the most recent of which was Supervisor of the Secretariat of the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW).

Dr. Muhammad Sharif, Advisor at ICESCO’s Science and Technology Sector, conveyed the congratulatory message to Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed when received at the headquarters of the Higher Education Commission in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad.
For his part, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed expressed his thanks and appreciation for Dr. AlMalik’s congratulations, recalling his distinguished experience at ICESCO, and stressing his full support for the Organization’s new strategic vision and its pioneering programs in the fields of science and entrepreneurship, which aim to contribute to economic growth and technological development in the Organization’s Member States.

The two parties emphasized the need to enhance cooperation, mobilize capacities and resources to provide scholarships and develop student and faculty exchange programmes in the Member States to enhance the sharing of expertise and knowledge in the Islamic world.

Selection of 50 Participants from 45 Countries in ICESCO LTIPS 2022

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), called on young people to be peacebuilders in a world dominated by several challenges and crises and to continue to work hard and to believe in their unlimited competencies and energies. He called for the need to achieve more communication between generations to exchange experiences and knowledge to benefit from the lessons of the past in building a prosperous future of solidarity between generations without any discrimination.

In a recorded address, on the occasion of International Youth Day, which the world celebrates on August, 12 annually, Dr. AlMalik highlighted the celebration this year, under the theme: “Solidarity between generations: Creating a world for all ages,” is in line with ICESCO’s priorities, namely its efforts as part of its strategy based on enhancing youth capacity building, training them in leadership and entrepreneurship, contributing to the consolidation of the values ​​of coexistence and civilizational dialogue and building bridges of solidarity.

ICESCO DG officially announced the selection of 50 male and female candidates representing 45 countries to participate in the Organization’s new edition of the Programme of the Leadership Training in Peace and Security (LTIPS) 2022, to become ICESCO Ambassadors for Peace, after receiving several training sessions by inspirational leaders in the field and graduating from the Programme.

He pointed out that, believing in the vital role that youth play in the progress of societies, ICESCO launched several other programmes and initiatives to qualify and train the youth of the Islamic world and improve their skills, so that they can bring about the desired positive change in the fields of entrepreneurship, technology, artificial intelligence and space sciences, and ready for the professions of tomorrow.

ICESCO DG concluded his address by renewing the call for more constructive communication between generations to build a prosperous future based on benefiting from different generations and learning from the lessons of the past.

Launching Annual Award for Best Initiatives for “Birds of Peace”

As part of the celebration programme of Rabat as Culture Capital in the Islamic world for 2022, the Headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) hosted the closing ceremony of the 14th edition of the International Children for Peace Festival, organized by the Bouregreg Association in the Kingdom of Morocco, with the participation of over 400 children from 31 countries to anchor the culture of peace and coexistence among the children of the world.

At the outset of the ceremony, which coincided with the beginning of the new Hijri year, and came within the framework of ICESCO’s objective to foster peace through practical programmes and activities that place it among the leading international organizations in the field, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), delivered an address in which he stressed the importance of peace, which is essential in achieving development. ”I am proud of all the children participating in the Festival as ambassadors of peace, who draw a new splendid picture of the world and convey messages that say “No to wars, no to attacks, no to injustice and no to hatred” These “Birds of Peace” spread beauty, joy, happiness, love and hope all over the world,” noted ICESCO DG.

Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed ICESCO’s belief in the instrumental role of children in preserving lofty values , protecting the environment from pollution, and promoting tolerance and coexistence to make the world a better place.

ICESCO DG also announced that as part of ICESCO’s endeavor to encourage children to become messengers of peace and ambassadors of love, the Organization will establish an annual award for best children initiatives called “Birds of Peace,” and organize an annual ceremony to showcase their outstanding creativity.

For his part, Mr. Mustapha Taimi, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication in the Kingdom of Morocco, commended ICESCO’s work and the distinguished activities, it implemented as part of the celebration of Rabat as Culture Capital in the Islamic world for 2022, hailing the Organization’s efforts to foster a culture of peace.

Afterward, Hamd and Nora, two of the participating children, read out “The Call for Peace” which calls for spreading the spirit of tolerance and coexistence across the globe and urges adults to work and prevail in the battle for peace so all the world’s children can live and grow in peace.

The children then released white peace doves, before the artistic ceremony that featured the children’s performances from their countries’ artistic and musical heritage.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Dr. Speciose Hakizimana, representative of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in the Kingdom of Morocco, and together they explored avenues for closer cooperation between the two Organizations in areas of common interest.

During the meeting, which was held on Thursday, July 28, 2022, at ICESCO Headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik reviewed the key programmes and projects currently implemented by ICESCO, in light of its vision and strategic orientations, and cooperation with the competent authorities in the Member States, to ensure inclusive access to quality education for all, reducing school dropout rates, anchoring the values of peace and civilizational dialogue, and encouraging investment in modern technology to achieve sustainable development.

The meeting touched upon the new developments in the existing cooperation between ICESCO and UNICEF and discussed a set of potential joint initiatives in the fields of childhood support and education, training, and empowerment for girls and youth.

For her part, Dr. Hakizimana commended ICESCO’s role in assisting the efforts of Member States in its areas of competence, emphasizing UNICEF’s keenness to cooperate with the Organization in implementing childhood support programmes.
At the close of the meeting, the two parties agreed on holding technical meetings between experts from both Organizations to follow up on the implementation plans of the discussed joint programs.

The meeting saw the attendance of Dr. Barry Koumbou, Head of ICESCO’s Education Sector, Ms. Ramata Almamy Mbaye, Head of the Human and Social Sciences Sector, and Ms. Amira EL Fadil, Head of the Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector.