Category: Director General

     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.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and Ibn Zohr University in Agadir, Morocco, signed a partnership agreement to create an ICESCO Chair on Argan Trees at the said University. The Chair aims at supporting, encouraging, and supervising research works on Argan trees and their means of preservation, as well as dedicating awards to outstanding research works in the field of Argan trees development and preservation.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG); Dr. Said Amzazi, Minister of National Education, Vocational Training, Higher Education and Scientific Research, President of the Moroccan National Committee for Education, Science and Culture; Dr. Driss Ouaouicha, Minister Delegate in Charge of Higher Education and Scientific Research in Morocco and Dr. Abdelaziz Bendou, President of Ibn Zohr University, signed the agreement yesterday, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, at the headquarters of the Center of National Trainings and Meetings, in Rabat. Mr. Jamal Eddine El Aloua, Secretary-General of the Moroccan National Commission well as several presidents of Moroccan universities, officials and directors at the Moroccan Ministry of National Education, Vocational Training, Higher Education and Scientific Research attended the signing ceremony.

In his address at the signing ceremony, Dr. AlMalik stated that the Chair aims to encourage research works on Argan trees since it is considered an intangible cultural heritage, a medical plant found in abundance in the southern regions of Morocco and an environmental treasure which offers investment opportunities, especially for the rural women through engaging in Argan products cooperatives.

The DG added that the establishment of the Chair is part of ICESCO’s new vision which adopts an open-door policy, noting that the Organization has created an International Network of Chairs for Science, Thought, Letters and Arts to support research works in these fields.

Dr. Amzazi explained that the Chair will oversee research works on Argan trees preservation and development mechanisms in addition to launching awards to encourage outstanding research works in the field.

The agreement provides for selecting scientific research topics on Argan trees, overseeing their completion and execution, organizing calls for proposals on research works related to the Chair’s topic, as part of an awards program, as well as assigning a jury to select outstanding works. In addition, the agreement provides for presenting the National Commission with the necessary information to prepare periodical reports to be submitted regularly to ICESCO, which will support the chair’s activities.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), reaffirmed the Organization’s readiness to support, within the framework of its strategy and new vision, the efforts of its Member States to ensure the continuity of the educational process and to support them in facing the numerous challenges undermining younger generations’ right to education, welfare, and development. He also noted that despite the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the educational situation in many parts of the world, there are many opportunities available compared to the risks and challenges.

Dr. AlMalik made the statement in his address at the ceremony of distributing electronic tablets to several students in the region of Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab, Morocco, on Saturday, July 24, 2021. The ceremony was attended by Dr. Saaïd Amzazi, Minister of National Education, Vocational Training, Higher Education and Scientific Research, President of the Moroccan National Commission for Education, Science and Culture; Dr. Driss Ouaouicha, Minister Delegate in Charge of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the Kingdom of Morocco; Mr. Lamine Benomar, Wali of the Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab Region; Mr. Jamal Eddine El Aloua, Secretary-General of the Moroccan National Commission for Education, Science and Culture; Dr. Abdelaziz Bendou, President of Ibn Zohr University; as well as some officials from the education sector in the Kingdom of Morocco.

Dr. AlMalik stressed that ICESCO is anticipating a new educational era, which is the era of the digital school that relies on AI innovations, noting that the pandemic has accelerated the pace of this transition. In this regard, he stressed, countries of the Islamic world must be well prepared to be among the first countries to embrace the new trend and develop their educational systems.

ICESCO DG also commended the dynamics, projects, and forward-looking plans of the Moroccan educational system, guided by the wise strategic vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, congratulating the Moroccan Monarch for his major and noble efforts to overcome the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

For his part, Dr. Said Amzazi hailed the fruitful cooperation with ICESCO and its efforts to support its Member States’ education systems, as well as its remarkable achievements over the past two years.

The distribution of the electronic tablets to many students in the Dakhla Region is part of the cooperation program between ICESCO, the Moroccan Ministry of National Education, Vocational Training, Higher Education and Scientific Research, and the Moroccan National Commission for Education, Science and Culture.

Following the ceremony, the participants took part in the inauguration of the Higher School of Technology (EST) of Dakhla. Established with a nearly 40 million MAD budget, the school has a capacity of 1000 students. This project is part of the diversification of the university offer in the region, by providing new specialties.

The participants in the roundtable on “Reimagining Youth Skills Post-Pandemic,” that the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) held, presented a set of ideas on ways to adapt educational systems to the needs of young people, and the importance of reconciling educational curricula with the skills necessary for addressing the changes and challenges of the labor market. The meeting gathered several experts and specialists yesterday Thursday, July 15, 2021, at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat.

In his speech, Dr. Salim Al-Malik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), stressed that the Organization takes into account the importance of building the capacities of young people and developing their creative potentials to excel in their professional lives through holding a series of training courses to provide them with the necessary tools to face future challenges, enhance their proactive capabilities and contribute to the sustainable development of their societies.

Dr. AlMalik added that ICESCO seeks to support the countries of the Islamic world in all fields related to education, science, and culture, especially in building the capacities of youth and women, using artificial intelligence, and instilling the values ​​of dialogue and coexistence. He pointed out that the roundtable is a step towards further cooperation with the UNICEF in protecting the rights of children and young people to help them meet their needs and increase their opportunities to achieve their aspirations.

Ms. Giovanna Barberis, UNICEF Representative in Morocco, indicated that the global repercussions of the Covid 19 pandemic prompt us to act to enhance youth resilience. She stated that the roundtable is an opportunity to listen to young people’s views and aspirations, and review their skills and ways to develop them; and as such, it is a starting point for a series of fruitful activities and meetings with ICESCO.

Then, Mr. Khalid Chenguiti, Education Specialist at UNICEF, made a presentation on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on young people and their skills and indicated that in order to develop them, there is a need to proceed with the implementation of a methodological and comprehensive vision of education in the countries of the Islamic world. Dr. Kais Hammami, Director of ICESCO’s Center for Strategic Foresight, explained the importance of foresight for young people and gave an overview of the work of the Center and its role in promoting a culture of foresight in the countries of the Islamic world.

Mr. Ahmad Outizki, a pedagogical inspector of Arabic at the Moroccan Ministry of Education, emphasized that the “Maharati” (My Skills) project has contributed to the improvement of young people’s skills within the school, through the promotion of teachers’ pedagogical approaches. For her part, the high school student Sabrine Amiziane reviewed her experience in the program “UpShift” Morocco, as well as the methods used in her workshops to develop skills other than those acquired at school. Ms. Oumaima Fariq, the program coordinator at “Douar Tech”, touched upon the importance of disseminating digital skills-focused programs among young people.

This roundtable also saw the participation of Dr. Koumbou Barry, Head of the Education Sector at ICESCO, who emphasized the important role of the family in the development of young people’s capacities to become active actors and to contribute to bringing about change within societies to facilitate their transition to professional life.

The roundtable concluded with a discussion session during which participants shared their views and opinions.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the fields of education, childhood development, youth capacity building, development of training on tomorrow’s professions, and artificial intelligence applications to strengthen human capital, protect the rights of children and youth, and preparing and qualifying them to face the future.

Ambassador Khalid Fathalrahman, the supervisor of the Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector at the Organization, and Ms. Giovanna Barberis, UNICEF Representative in Morocco, signed the MoU, during a ceremony organized July 15, 2021, at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, in the presence of several directors of Sectors and Departments and advisors at ICESCO, and some UNICEF officials.

In his speech during the ceremony, Ambassador Khalid Fathalrahman stressed the importance of signing the MoU between ICESCO and UNICEF in protecting the rights of children and youth, helping them meet their needs, and upgrading their capacities to acquire the skills necessary for social and economic integration.

Ambassador Fathalrahman pointed out that ICESCO supports the countries of the Islamic world in all fields related to education, science and culture, and works to qualify women and enhance the capacities of youth through the use of artificial intelligence and strategic foresight to find adequate solutions to future challenges.

Mrs. Giovanna Barberis expressed her happiness at signing the MoU, noting that the areas of joint action of ICESCO and UNICEF will contribute to promoting the rights of children and youth in Morocco, and constitute an opportunity to share information, experiences and good practices in the fields of education, early childhood, youth, and social integration.

The MoU between ICESCO and UNICEF provides for cooperation in sharing information and knowledge on projects and programs related to education and childhood development, and the social and economic integration of youth, to benefit from the experiences and expertise of each party; cooperation in holding the Early Childhood Conference in 2022; promotion of a culture of foresight among youth to raise awareness among them about the future opportunities; launching the “Future from a Youth Perspective” campaign, and participating in organizing forums and workshops on topics of common interest.