Category: Director General

The headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in Rabat, on Friday, September 3, 2021, hosted the first consultative meeting to discuss the situation of the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW) and its future prospects to fulfill its role in light of the rapid global transformations and the ongoing technological development.

The meeting brought together Dr. Driss Ouaouicha, Delegate Minister in charge of Higher Education and Scientific Research in of Morocco, Dr. Salim M. Al Malik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), FUIW Secretary-General; the presidents of some Moroccan universities as well as several ICESCO officials and experts. The participants exchanged perspectives and proposals that offer innovative solutions to the current challenges facing the Federation.

At the outset of the meeting, Dr. Ouaouicha gave an address wherein he praised the roles and efforts of ICESCO in serving the universities of the Islamic world, stressing the need to benefit from the accumulated experiences to develop strategic plans, action plans and performance assessment mechanisms to ensure a better future for the Federation.

In his address, Dr. AlMalik stressed that the meeting is the beginning of a series of meetings with member universities to explore their vision about the Federation’s future, explaining that the FUIW must be the effective tool for enhancing cooperation between universities to advance to the ranks of international universities, taking into account the recommendation of the twenty-third session of the Executive Council of the Federation, held in Sharjah, on 02-03 February 2020, to develop a new vision for the Federation to renew its working mechanisms and define its future roles to have a fresh start.

Dr. Omar Halli, Advisor to ICESCO Director-General for the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World, gave a presentation wherein he explained that the Federation includes 351 universities from 58 countries. He also highlighted the most prominent stations of the FUIW since its inception in 1987, its working mechanisms, the recent developments, and the update of the Federation’s website.

The floor was then given to the heads of universities, who raised many questions about the roles and achievements of the Federation. They also made many suggestions to promote the role of the Federation to be a locomotive of cooperation and coordination between universities in Muslim countries. The heads of universities included Dr. Awatef Hayar, President of Hassan II University, Dr. Mohamed Ghachi, President of Mohammed V University, Dr. Amin Bensaid, President of Al Akhawayn University, Dr. Mustafa Bousmina, President of Euro-Mediterranean University, and Dr. Abdelaziz Benjouad, Vice President of the International University of Rabat.

In their interventions, Dr. AlMalik, Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, and some ICESCO officials responded to all those questions and clarified the background of the establishment of the FUIW, its roles and its relationship with ICESCO.

At the close of the meeting, the participants made several recommendations, which will be formulated and discussed during the upcoming meetings with the member universities of the Federation.

The Director-General (DG) of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, on Thursday, September 2, 2021, held a videoconference meeting with First Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Emine Dzhaparova, along with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Morocco, Ms. Vasilyvia Oksana Yuryevna. The participants discussed the prospects for cooperation between ICESCO and Ukraine in the fields of education, science, and culture.

At the outset of the meeting, which also brought together a number of ICESCO officials, Dr. AlMalik stressed that the Organization attaches great importance to promoting the values ​​of coexistence and dialogue, adopting education for peace, supporting capacity-building for women and youth, providing quality education for all, and benefiting from modern technology in the fields of education, culture and environmental protection.

The DG pointed out that ICESCO’s programs and activities seek to achieve these goals, in partnership with the competent authorities in Member States, and that the Organization is open to cooperate with non-Member States, international organizations and donors, for the benefit of Member States and Muslim communities around the world.

The First Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine reaffirmed her country’s keenness to build fruitful cooperation with ICESCO, noting that no less than 1.5 million Muslims live in Ukraine, which is rich in terms of historical sites and intangible heritage.

Ms. Dzhaparova commended ICESCO’s roles in protecting heritage, developing education, and building the capacities of women and youth.

The Director-General (DG) of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), Dr. Salim M. AlMalik received the outgoing Chargé d’Affaires of Brunei Darussalam Embassy in Rabat, Mr. Awangku Haji Shahrin bin Pengiran Haji Bakar, and the newly appointed Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy, Ms. Dayang Nur Hafiza Islam Bint Awang Mahani. The meeting explored ways to foster cooperation between the Government of Brunei Darussalam and ICESCO in its fields of competence.

At the beginning of the meeting, held at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, on September 1, 2021, Dr. AlMalik expressed his gratitude to the former Chargé d’Affaires of Brunei Darussalam for his efforts to build fruitful cooperation between his country and ICESCO during his tenure in Rabat, and wishing him good luck in his future assignments. He also welcomed the new Chargé d’Affairs and congratulated her on assuming this position, stressing ICESCO’s constant keenness to develop relations with all Member States and support them in promoting education, science, and culture within the framework of the Organization’s new vision.

ICESCO DG commended the distinguished programs and activities that were implemented in Brunei Darussalam during the celebration of Bandar Seri Begawan as the Asian region’s Capital of Culture in the Islamic World for 2019.

The former Chargé d’Affaires of the Brunei Darussalam Embassy ​​commended ICESCO’s role in supporting its Member States in the Organization’s fields of competence. The new Chargé d’Affaires stressed her willingness to develop constructive cooperation and distinguished relations between Brunei Darussalam and ICESCO.

The meeting brought together Dr. Abdelilah Benarfa, ICESCO Deputy DG, Dr. Mohamed Zine El Abidine, Head of Culture and Communication Sector at ICESCO, and Ms. Sally Mabrouk, Director of the Office of ICESCO DG.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Dr. Pascale Ehrenfreund, President of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), discussed the prospects for cooperation between ICESCO and IAF in the field of space sciences and their applications. The meeting also discussed the establishment of ICESCO Chair at the International Space University in France, providing training opportunities and scholarships for students and researchers on space diplomacy, and holding relevant seminars and conferences.

The meeting was held on Wednesday (25 August 2021) via videoconference, on the sidelines of the 36^th Session of the International Space Symposium that Space Foundation is holding in Colorado, USA, with which ICESCO signed a partnership agreement. The agreement aims to build close cooperation in raising awareness of the importance of investing in space sciences, integrating them into educational programs, benefiting from their applications, and providing opportunities for researchers and scientists to exchange ideas, experiences and innovation in the field of space sciences.

During the meeting, which brought together Dr. Christian Feichtinger, IAF Executive Director, several ICESCO heads of sectors and experts, and IAF officials, Dr. AlMalik reviewed the most prominent programs and projects of ICESCO, which devote great attention to supporting women and building young people’s capacities, particularly with the proclamation of 2021 as the Year of Women.

“Space science is the future. It has become an imperative for all countries to keep pace with advancements through international partnerships that will help exchange knowledge and expertise with young people in the Islamic world to play their role in the development of their societies,” the DG added.

Dr. Pascale Ehrenfreund stressed the importance of cooperation between ICESCO and IAF for establishing a dialogue between scientists around the world to present and discuss information on international cooperation in the field of space. She also invited ICESCO to become a member of the International Astronautical Federation, and to participate in the 72nd International Astronautical Congress, which will be held next October in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

ICESCO and IAF agreed to build cooperation for holding training workshops on space sciences and exploring the areas of cooperation stated in the partnership agreement. They also agreed to further discuss establishing an ICESCO Chair at the International Space University in France to promote scientific research in the field of space science and its applications.

During the meeting, the two parties stressed their keenness to cooperate in conferences and forums participation. ICESCO DG invited IAF President to take part in ICESCO major international conference on space science and its applications, due to be held next November.

     With high-level participation of international officials, scientists and experts in the field of space science and its applications, taking part in the 36^th Session of the International Space Symposium, being held in Colorado, the United States of America, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and Space Foundation in the United States of America, signed a partnership agreement to build strong cooperation in raising awareness of the importance of space sciences by integrating them into the educational programs and providing opportunities for researchers and scientists to exchange ideas, experiences, and innovation in the field of space sciences.

During the ceremony, organized on Wednesday (25 August 2021) via videoconference, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), and Mr. Thomas Zelibor, CEO of Space Foundation, signed the agreement, the provisions of which all speakers during the signing ceremony highly welcomed and commended, most notably Ms. Shelley Brunswick, COO of Space Foundation, Ms. Kathryn C. Thornton, Chairwoman of Space Foundation, former NASA astronaut, Ms. Simonetta Di Pippo, Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), in addition to Ms. Pascale Ehrenfreund, President of the International Astronautical Federation.

In his address, Mr. Thomas Zelibor expressed his happiness at signing the agreement, stressing that it will contribute to building the next generation’s capabilities in the field of space science, improving living conditions, and encouraging innovation, noting the importance of joint action with ICESCO to contribute to the development of science and to benefit from its applications and potentials to achieve the desired development.

In his address, Dr. AlMalik stressed the importance of space science and its applications in finding solutions to current and future challenges. “Space science contributes to socio-economic and environmental development. Investment in space science has become an imperative,” he added.

Dr. AlMalik stated that the agreement aims to keep pace with ICESCO’s new vision for the transfer and localization of knowledge to the Member States to benefit from the experiences of developed countries and international institutions in supporting space sciences and innovation. He also pointed out that the agreement is the beginning of a long-term international cooperation based on practical and goal-oriented programs with measurable results.

The ceremony brought together several ICESCO officials, in addition to Mr. Kevin O’Connell, Founder and CEO of Space Economy Rising, Mr. Mark Cirangelo, a researcher at the University of Colorado, USA, as well as Mr. Frank Culbertson, member of the Board of the American Space Foundation, former NASA astronaut.

The agreement between ICESCO and Space Foundation is part of the efforts to develop cooperation between the two parties, which started last June with co-organizing the First International Symposium on “Space Sciences: Importance, Challenges and Emerging Opportunities in the Space Industry and Islamic World,” under the theme “Building Future Innovators” which saw important discussions of innovative ideas and answers to vital questions, challenges and opportunities for benefiting from space science and developing applications and related industries.

The agreement will open new prospects for cooperation between ICESCO Member States and developed countries in the field of space science and its technological applications and uses in various fields. It will also provide opportunities for young people in the Islamic world to study space sciences in the biggest international specialized institutions.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Ms. Simonetta Di Pippo, Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), on Monday, August 23, 2021, held a virtual meeting wherein they explored the prospects of cooperation between the two parties in the field of space sciences and their applications, in addition to the provision of scholarships for students and researchers specializing in the development of these sciences in the Islamic world.

During the meeting, Dr. AlMalik reviewed ICESCO’s efforts to support its Member States in the fields of education, science, and culture, and highlighted the main axes of the Organization’s new vision and strategy of action, based on an open-door policy, building the capacities of young people in various fields to assume their role in the development of their societies, and consolidating the values of coexistence, dialogue and peace.

The meeting touched upon the importance of the accession of ICESCO Member States to UNOOSA, which helps young people to study space sciences. Such accession would develop cooperation between the two parties to capitalize on space science technologies and applications to achieve sustainable development and promote peace.

The two parties agreed to strengthen their cooperation, hold training workshops in space sciences, form a joint working group to develop joint action mechanisms, examine the areas of cooperation, and conduct studies to raise awareness of the importance of these sciences and their applications in the many Member States.

The two parties also reaffirmed their willingness to cooperate in the organization of conferences and forums. Dr. AlMalik extended an invitation to Ms. Di Pippo to take part in ICESCO major international conference on space sciences and their applications, due to be held in November 2021, which she accepted.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of ICESCO, received Ms. Vasilyevia Oksana Yuryevna, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Morocco, where they discussed the prospects of cooperation between ICESCO and Ukraine in the fields of education, science and culture.

During the meeting held at ICESCO headquarters on 19 August 2021, in the presence of several officials from ICESCO’s sectors, Dr. AlMalik stressed that ICESCO is adopting more communication and openness, not only with the Member States but also with non-Member States and international organizations, bodies and institutions, as well as civil society organizations concerned with its fields of competence. It also builds partnerships and cooperation for the benefit of the Member States and Muslim communities worldwide.

The meeting focused on further consultation and coordination between ICESCO and Ukraine to strengthen cooperation in the educational, scientific and cultural fields, and to form a joint working group to develop and implement cooperation programs and projects.

Ms. Vasilyeva Oksana Yuryevna praised the excellent work of ICESCO, stressing Ukraine’s readiness to cooperate with the Organization in its fields of activity, and its willingness to ensure the success of this cooperation.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of ICESCO, met with Dr. Ashwin Fernandez, Regional Director of Quacquarelli Symonds Foundation (QS) in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia, to discuss the prospects of cooperation between ICESCO and the Foundation in the field of capacity building, evaluation and classification of universities in the Islamic world, and the holding of a series of programs and seminars on how to promote related issues.

During this virtual meeting that took place on Thursday, August 19, 2021, with the participation of managers and experts from ICESCO’s sectors, Dr. AlMalik confirmed that cooperation with QS will contribute to raising the level and quality of education in universities in the Islamic world, by organizing joint activities and programs that contribute to the exchange of experiences and good practices in higher education among universities.

For his part, Dr. Ashwin Fernandez expressed his pleasure to cooperate with ICESCO, stressing that the partnership with the Organization will enable universities in the Islamic world to include evaluation and grading issues in their institutional policies and strategic orientations.

During the meeting, the two parties agreed to develop joint programs for the evaluation and classification of universities in the ICESCO Member States in general, and the member universities of the Federation of Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW) in particular, and to focus on evaluation mechanisms that will enable universities to occupy advanced ranks in the international classification. They also agreed to launch programs to raise awareness of evaluation and classification issues among university leaders, scientific research centers, professors, students and researchers, and their role in the advancement of universities and research institutes in the Islamic world.

The two parties also agreed to organize an international symposium, in the presence of several university presidents and higher education officials, to discuss the mechanisms for the development of evaluation and classification issues in the Islamic world, and to launch a joint ICESCO-Quacquarelli Symonds project for capacity building in the field of evaluation and classification.

In conclusion, it was agreed to sign a partnership agreement between ICESCO and the QS, to implement innovative programs and projects in the fields of evaluation and classification as discussed during the meeting.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met on Thursday, August 19, 2021, via videoconference, with Mr. Mokhtar Ould Dahi, Minister of Culture, Youth, Sports and Relations with Parliament, Government Spokesman, the Chairman of the Mauritanian National Commission for Education, Science and Culture, in the presence of several ICESCO’s heads of sectors and the Ministry.

At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik commended the Ministry’s programs and projects in the field of cultural and media action. He also reiterated his pride in the participation of Ms. Mariam bint Dah, First Lady of Mauritania, who stressed the need to focus on the woman of tomorrow, as a source of inspiration and innovation and a strong lever of socio-economic development, during the great international celebration held by ICESCO in March 2021, to announce the official launch of “2021 ICESCO Year for Women,” under the theme “Women for the Future.”

The DG also reaffirmed ICESCO’s willingness to cooperate with the Ministry to support and implement cultural projects and programs, in particular the inscription of the Mauritanian Mahdara on the Islamic World Heritage List, which constitutes an element of intangible heritage, the preservation of ancient and historical Mauritanian cities, and the designation of Nouakchott as the capital of Islamic culture, being a city rich in its heritage, history, thinkers and historians. He also announced the willingness of the Organization to hold an international conference on the role of women in cultural development before the end of this year.

For his part, Mr. Ould Dahi welcomed ICESCO’s distinguished efforts to support the countries of the Islamic world through the launching and implementation of multiple programmes and projects in the fields of education, science and culture, stressing that Mauritania stresses its interest in women’s issues and places them at the top of its priorities. He also welcomed the initiative of ICESCO to organize the conference that will deal with the role of women in achieving development and proposed to collaborate in the establishment of a center to train educators and preschool teachers.

Mr. Ould Dahi added that the Ministry works to develop and modernize the Mahdara, as part of the intangible heritage of Mauritania, and aspires to cooperate with ICESCO to develop the areas of competence of the Chinguitt Prize, which aims to deepen and promote research in the field of Islamic scientific and literary studies, and to organize the Festival of Ancient Cities, which celebrates the Mauritanian culture, to preserve the historic cities.

At the end of the meeting, both parties agreed to hold more meetings in coordination with the Mauritanian National Commission for Education, Science and Culture, to elaborate and implement all joint projects between ICESCO and the Ministry.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Mr. Ki-Seok Kim, President of Educators Without Borders (EWB) in the Republic of Korea. The two sides considered the prospects of cooperation in the fields of education, scientific research and innovation, as well as the development of projects and programs for the benefit of young people and women, aimed at strengthening their capacities to meet the demands of the labor market, eradicate illiteracy, achieve social development and establish partnerships between ICESCO and international institutions and companies in Korea.

During the meeting, which took place at ICESCO headquarters, on Monday, August 9, 2021, in the presence of a number of the heads of sector and experts at ICESCO, Dr. AlMalik reviewed the new vision and action strategy of ICESCO, which seek further communication with the Member States. The Strategy adopts an open-door policy to non-Member States, international organizations and bodies, and civil society institutions, and ensures more partnerships for the benefit of citizens in the Islamic world and Muslim communities around the world.

For his part, Mr. Ki-Seok Kim stressed that EWB’s vision highlights the ongoing developments in countries of the Islamic world as well as the great role that universities and research centers fulfill in the development of education, noting that EWB has developed good educational practices in several African countries, mainly in the Republic of Kenya and the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire.

At the close of the meeting, the two parties agreed to hold a symposium on Korea’s successful experiences in various types and cycles of education, and sign a memorandum of understanding between the Sector of Education of ICESCO and EWB in the coming days.