Category: Director General

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Mr. Omer Faruk Dogan, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to the Kingdom of Morocco, to discuss cooperation prospects between the Organization and Turkey in the fields of education, science and culture, and the latest developments in the official procedures for the accession of the Republic Turkey to ICESCO.

During the meeting, which took place on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, at ICESCO Headquarters in Rabat, with the presence of several Heads of Sectors and Directors of Departments and Centers in the Organization, Dr. AlMalik reviewed the key aspects of ICESCO’s strategic vision and its strategic orientations, which focus on the Organization’s competencies, and follow the approach of transparency, credibility, and openness to all stakeholders to serve the Member States and the Muslim communities around the world.

ICESCO DG noted that several countries, especially the European ones, had expressed their desire to join the Organization as an observer, for more cooperation with ICESCO in education, science and culture. He highlighted the key programmes, projects and activities that ICESCO implements in cooperation with the competent authorities in its Member States and with the participation of some Turkish experts.

For his part, the Turkish ambassador in Rabat commanded ICESCO’s role, stressing that the Organization is the best platform for cooperation between the countries of the Islamic world, away from political disagreements, and that it is the right way to accomplish cooperation and agreement between these countries in the fields of education, science and culture.

Ambassador Dogan added that he will spare no efforts in speeding up the official procedures for Turkey to join ICESCO and accomplish closer cooperation between the two parties in the Organization’s fields of competence.

A delegation from the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held a meeting with several officials in the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), to discuss strengthening cooperation between the two parties and a joint action plan to implement a package of projects in the fields of education, science and culture to support the efforts of the Islamic world in developing these fields.

The meeting took place on Wednesday, October 5, 2022, at IsDB’s headquarters in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and saw the participation of ICESCO officials: Ms. Amira El-Fadil, Head of Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector, Dr. Raheel Qamar, Head of Science and Technology Sector, and Dr. Kais Hammami, Director of the Center of Strategic Foresight, and Dr. Mr. Salem Al Habsi, Programme Director at the General Secretariat of National Commissions and conference, and representatives from IsDB: Mr. Amer Bokovic, Acting Director General of the Global Practices and Partnerships Directorate, Mr. Mohamad Shakir Mohamad, Director of the Strategy Department at the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, and several heads of departments in the bank.

The meeting touched upon the renewal of the memorandum of understanding signed between ICESCO and the Bank, to include the implementation of a number of programmes and projects in the fields of education, science, technology, innovation, strategic foresight and the promotion of regional cooperation through the transfer of expertise and knowledge exchange by proposing practical projects that meet the needs of the countries of the Islamic world.

The two parties reaffirmed their eagerness for the distinguished relationship between ICESCO and IsDB, and the importance of their cooperation in implementing programmes and projects that serve the Member States. ICESCO delegation reviewed the Organization’s key programmes in the fields of science, which encourage youth creativity and innovation, in addition to highlighting the importance of ICESCO scientific chairs in various prestigious universities in the world to support scientific research, as well as the Strategic Foresight Center’s main projects, studies, conferences, training programmes and workshops to promote a culture of strategic foresight.

At the close of the meeting, the two parties agreed to hold meetings at the level of experts, to develop executive plans for some programmes and projects, to be implemented in cooperation between ICESCO and IsDB.

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.