Category: Director General

The International Forum held by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) on the future of teaching strategies in light of current developments, kicked off on Tuesday, November 1st, 2022, with the participation of a host of education ministers, experts and prominent figures from several countries, to cast light on the importance of adopting modern teaching strategies and explore the new trends in the field.

During the inaugural session of the two-day virtual forum, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), delivered an address, in which he noted that the Organization is particularly keen to bring excellence and creativity to the educational process in order to keep pace with developments to achieve the sustainable development goal 4 (SDG 4).
Dr. AlMalik emphasized that we must draw upon the recommendations emanating from the ‘Transforming Education Summit,’ held last September at the United Nations Headquarters, in aligning teaching strategies with current developments mainly by digitizing education, integrating creative skills into school curricula and affording greater attention to distance learning.

“Building a robust educational system requires the decentralization of education and its association with cultural influences to keep pace with developments in society. This should be coupled with the generation of funding means with greater responsiveness to local and global economic fluctuations,” added ICESCO DG.

He concluded his address by noting that ICESCO endeavors to play its part in forging effective partnerships between educational institutions in Member States and donor institutions and providing the desired expertise in developing forward-looking teaching strategies and enabling the exchange of experiences between educational systems in Member and Non-Member States.

For his part, Mr. Marwan Awartani, Palestinian Minister of Education, underlined that school is a second home for students, therefore, it is paramount to invest in teachers, understand the students’ perception of school and develop education strategies accordingly.

In her address, Ms. Mariatou Koné, Minister for National Education and Literacy of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, stated that it has become imperative to rethink the future of education after the COVID-19 pandemic and advance education in African countries through the establishment of open educational institutions that use modern teaching methods.

The ministerial session on teaching strategies for quality and inclusive education subsequently began, featuring the intervention of Cheikh Oumar Anne, Senegalese National Education Minister, who detailed the major steps to be followed to develop education, and those of Mr. Kouaro Yves Chabi, Minister of Secondary, Technical and Vocational Education in Benin, and Mr. Flávio Arns, Brazilian Senator, who reviewed their countries’ adopted strategies for reforming education and keeping pace with current developments.

In an address delivered on his behalf by the Ministry’s Secretary-General, Laurent Serge Etoundi Ngoa, Cameroonian Minister of Basic Education, praised the role of advanced educational methods in integrating students and providing the basic requirements for learning national languages and cultures. For his part, Mr. Ibrahim Natatou, Nigerian Minister of National Education, noted that countries have different educational systems and that crises contribute to creating inequalities in education, underscoring his country’s efforts to align education with current challenges.

The second session then started, featuring presentations in which various experts and professors tackled the different applications of modern teaching strategies and the challenges they raise.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received a delegation from the Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud Foundation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, headed by Dr. Abdulaziz Almagushi, Deputy Director General of the Foundation.

During the meeting, which took place on Tuesday 25 October 2022 at ICESCO Headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik reviewed the main thrusts of ICESCO’s vision and action strategy, which aim at contributing to the achievement of sustainable development in the service of Member States and Muslim communities worldwide in the fields of education, science and culture. He also stressed ICESCO’s willingness to cooperate and reach out to all in order to implement innovative programs and projects everywhere.

In his turn, Dr. AlMagushi reaffirmed the Foundation’s readiness to establish fruitful cooperation with the Organization in various fields and disciplines, especially with regard to strengthening civilizational dialogue among peoples.

At the end of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik and several heads of sectors and directors of the Organization accompanied the delegation on a tour of the youth training incubators and visited the Mishkat room, which is equipped with the latest technologies for holding remote training sessions and workshops.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received M. Badr Alaredh, Minister of Justice of the Republic of Yemen, and his delegation, at ICESCO Headquarters, in Rabat, on Tuesday (25 October 2022).

During the meeting, which saw the participation of Mr. Ezzedine Al-Asbahi, Ambassador of the Republic of Yemen to the Kingdom of Morocco, Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy DG of ICESCO, and several heads of ICESCO Sectors, Departments and Centers, the two parties reaffirmed their keenness to enhance cooperation between ICESCO and Yemen in the educational and scientific, cultural and humanitarian fields.

Dr. AlMalik reviewed the key programmes and activities of ICESCO, particularly youth capacity-building and training on leadership for peace and security as well as space sciences. He also highlighted the major programmes scheduled for implementation in Yemen, most notably the project to address girls’ school dropout, in cooperation with strategic partners.
The heads of sectors and departments also delivered presentations on the potential programmes and projects of cooperation between ICESCO and Yemen, which are designed based on ICESCO’s new vision to meet the priorities and needs of Member States.

For his part, the Yemeni Minister of Justice commended ICESCO’s efforts geared towards supporting its Member States, and highlighted the present needs of Yemen, including youth capacity-building in the field of innovation and modern technology, and building the capacities of judges and members of the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Yemen in the fields of antiquities, heritage and treatment of detainees. He also requested ICESCO’s technical expertise to help preserve the Court of Aden’s library, which includes a large collection of historical books and manuscripts.

In conclusion, the two parties agreed to start the implementation of a number of joint programmes, in coordination with the Yemeni National Commission for Education, Science and Culture.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Ms. Hiba Nashabe, Secretary-General of the Lebanese National Commission for Education, Science and Culture, on Monday 24 October 2022, at ICESCO Headquarters, in Rabat. The meeting explored ways to strengthen cooperation between ICESCO and Lebanon in the Organization’s areas of competence.

During the meeting, Dr. AlMalik stressed that within the framework of its new vision and strategic orientations, ICESCO seeks to cooperate with various parties in the fields of education, science and culture to serve humanity and face the relevant global challenges, indicating that the Organization is willing to implement its programmes and projects anywhere in the world.

The two parties also discussed the cooperation relations between ICESCO and the Republic of Lebanon, including the signing of a special agreement on humanitarian assistance, in June 2022, to ensure the return of Lebanese students pursuing their studies in Ukraine, who were forced by the security situation to leave to neighboring countries.
The meeting focused on the possibility of cooperation in several programmes and projects on youth capacity-building and training on leadership, innovation, students’ mental health and the inscription of Lebanese heritage in ICESCO’s Islamic World Heritage List.

For her part, Ms. Hiba Nashabe lauded the development and modernization that ICESCO has seen over the past three years, stressing the need to establish a partnership between the Organization and Lebanon in the fields of education, science and culture, indicating that she would exert every effort to finalize the membership of Lebanon in ICESCO.

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.