Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG)
of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization
(ICESCO), and Mr. Cui Ping, DG of Huawei Technologies Co. – Morocco, signed on
Monday, December 28, 2020, at the Organization’s headquarters, a grant
agreement, which consists of 200 tablets for sustaining distance education in
some schools in Morocco.
The ceremony brought together ICESCO’s heads
and directors of sectors and centers, Mr. Chu Yuan, Assistant DG of Huawei
Technologies Co. – Morocco, as well as Ms. Chaymae Salhi, Public Relations and Governmental
Affairs Officer at Huawei.
During the ceremony, Dr. AlMalik stressed ICESCO’s
keenness to promote cooperation and partnership with civil society institutions
in the Member States within the framework of its new vision and action
strategy.
“ICESCO seeks to support its Member States to
develop technology and innovation. I am delighted to collaborate with Huawei
Technologies, which is one of the major technology companies,” he added.
Dr. AlMalik stated that modern technologies
are the key to overcome the current and future challenges facing the world
while pointing out that the COVID-19 pandemic revealed the importance of
technology, particularly in the field of distance education.
Mr. Cui Ping said that Huawei is proud of
its cooperation with ICESCO, which includes 54 Member States. “Huawei pays
special attention to its projects and programs implemented based on social
responsibility, particularly in the fields of education, training, and students’
welfare in various countries, including Morocco,” he stressed.
Mr. Cui Ping noted that Huawei has been operating
in Morocco for 20 years, during which the company implemented several projects
and programs in various regions of Morocco. The company also launched
student-welfare programs for thousands of students, some of whom received
training in Huawei’s headquarters in China. “Huawei Technologies – Morocco will
make every effort to ensure the success of its cooperation with ICESCO,” he
stressed.
Huawei then screened its institutional
film, which tells its 20-year-old story in Morocco.
The two parties agreed to hold a meeting to
explore their future cooperation, particularly students training and
scholarships as well as ICESCO’s programs for 2021, which the Organization
dedicates to women.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Ministry of National Education, Vocational Training, Higher Education, and Scientific Research of Morocco signed a contract for consultative services and institutional support to implement a draft model for developing primary education in Morocco, with a total budget of USD 280,000, in partnership with the Islamic Bank of Development (IsDB).
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), and Mr. Said Amzazi, Minister of National Education, Vocational Training, Higher Education, and Scientific Research, President of the Moroccan National Commission for Education, Science and Culture, signed the contract at the close of the opening session of the Normal Session of the General Assembly of the Moroccan National Commission for Education, Science and Culture.
The General Assembly was held on Thursday, December 24, at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, in the presence of Mr. Saaddine Othmani, Head of the Moroccan government, a host of ministers and officials from of the Moroccan government, and several international organization representatives.
The contract provides for ICESCO’s technical assistance in the preparation of a model for developing primary education in Morocco, with a grant from the IsDB to the Moroccan Ministry of Education. The contract aims to ensure ICESCO’s technical support to achieve mandatory access to education for students between the ages of four and 11, and integrate primary education as a mandatory level. It also aims to improve the ranking of student performance in national and international evaluations, through the preparation and application of an integrated model for developing primary education in two years.
Elements of the project include the following axes:
Integrating primary education as a mandatory level;
Facilitating the integration of persons with special needs in the educational system;
Preparing a new pedagogical model for the benefit of students and educators;
Preparing a new model for the governance and management of educational institutions;
Preparing a new model to achieve equity and equal opportunities for access to primary education.
The Headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in Rabat, hosted on Thursday, December 24, 2020, the ordinary session of the General Assembly of the Moroccan National Commission for Education, Science, and Culture, under the chairmanship of Mr. Saad Dine El Otmani, Head of the Moroccan Government, and Mr. Saaid Amzazi, President the National Commission for Education, Science, and Culture, Minister of National Education, Vocational Training, Higher Education and Scientific Research, Government Spokesperson.
The session also brought together Mr. Abdellatif Loudiyi, Minister Delegate to the Head of Government, in charge of National Defense Administration; Mr. Driss Ouaouicha, Minister Delegate in charge of Higher Education and Scientific Research; and Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), as well as the Commission’s members and staff.
During the meeting, which saw the participation of the representatives of UNESCO and ALECSO, Mr. El Otmani expressed his pride in the pivotal roles of the Moroccan National Commission in linking the governmental sectors and the national bodies to UNESCO, ICESCO, and ALECSO. The organizations specialize in education, science, culture, sustainable development, communication, youth, and sports. He also commended the efforts of Mr. Amzazi, President of the Commission, to revitalize it and effectively implement the programmes and activities of the three organizations.
Mr. El Otmani congratulated Mr. Jamal Dine Elaloua on his appointment as the Secretary-General of the Commission and thanked ICESCO for hosting this meeting as well as its great and constructive cooperation with the Moroccan National Commission in many projects and programs.
In his address at the opening session, Mr. Amzazi, President of the National Commission, reaffirmed his endeavor to promote the Commission to fulfill its tasks. “Our National Commission has recently made great achievements. It has imposed itself as a distinguished National Commission within the networks of the three organizations,” he underscored.
In his address at the opening session, Dr. AlMalik welcomed the Moroccan National Commission at ICESCO headquarters and expressed his thanks and gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah assist him, for his care and support to ICESCO, on the path of his father, the late King Hassan II, may Allah rest his soul.
Dr. AlMalik also thanked Mr. El Otmani, Head of the Moroccan Government, all the Moroccan ministries, the Member States as well as the presidents of national commissions for their sustained support for and cooperation with ICESCO.
Mr. Othman El Ferdaous, Minister of Culture, in the address that the Ministry’s Secretary-General delivered on his behalf, stressed the key role of the Moroccan National Commission.
“It is a major mechanism and a pivotal bridge between the international organizations, the sector of culture, and the national bodies concerned with culture. Other speakers during the opening session, held through videoconference, included Mr. Firmin Edouard Matoko, Assistant DG of UNESCO for Africa, as well as Mr. Abdel-Fattah Al-Hajmari, Director of the Arabization Coordination Bureau. Both speakers commended the work of the National Commission and reaffirmed their great confidence in the Moroccan National Commission as an essential partner in their programs and activities.
At the close of the opening session, Mr. Amzazi and Dr. AlMalik signed a contract of advisory services and institutional support to implement the pilot project for the development of basic education in Morocco. The project will be implemented in partnership with the Islamic Development Bank Group.
The National Commission then held its special session with the participation of most of its members, through videoconference. The session reviewed, examined, and unanimously approved the activity and financial reports for 2020, in addition to the action program and the draft budget for 2021. The session concluded with the recitation of the message due to be conveyed to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah assist him.
The 3rd Media Forum of the Union of OIC News Agencies (UNA-OIC) will host, by videoconference on 30 December 2020, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO).
UNA-OIC Acting DG, Mr. Ahmad bin Abdullah Al Qarni, stated that the forum will tackle the future of Islamic cultural action and ICESCO’s efforts and initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as its future vision as a house of expertise and a center of excellence in cultural, educational, scientific and foresight action.
The forum will be an open dialogue between the main guest and the participating representatives of news agencies, satellite TV channels, radio stations, newspapers, and e-platforms, along with senior officials from the OIC, ambassadors, experts, and academics from the Islamic world.
UNA-OIC launched a series of media forums hosting Islamic action leaderships and renowned personalities from the Islamic world for an open dialogue with international media on the various Islamic world’s issues. The forum will be broadcasted in Arabic, English, and French.
The Islamic World
Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held a second
coordination meeting with several professors representing prominent
universities from different countries. The meeting comes in preparation for the
launch of ICESCO Chairs Project, as part of the Organization’s new vision and
strategy.
Dr. Mohamed Zinelabidine, Director of the Sector of Culture, and
Mr. Nassim Mohaned Amer, Director of Programs at the Sector, represented ICESCO
in the videoconference on Tuesday, December 22. During the meeting, Dr.
Zinelabidine reaffirmed the need to adopt a comprehensive and multi-faceted
approach that involves all parties in the renewal of thought, science, and
heritage in the Islamic world.
The meeting featured the presentation of Dr. Tawfiq Hamoum, the nominee
for the presidency of ICESCO Chair, “Heritage and Sustainable Development” at the
University of Guelma in Algeria. The Chair will focus on safeguarding heritage
and ensuring its preservation for future generations.
The meeting also featured the presentation of Dr. Abdelrahman
Tankoul, the nominee for the presidency of ICESCO Chair on Arts, Science, and
Civilizations at the Euro-Mediterranean University in Fez.
Dr. Dima Hamdan, from the Lebanese University, also attended the
meeting along with; Dr. Fathi Triki from the University of Tunis; and Dr.
Iliane Chrion from Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne. The videoconference
also brought together Dr. Sanaa Ghouati from Ibn Tofail University; Dr. Boubakr
Diop from Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar, Senegal; Dr. Sandra Rey from
the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul; and Dr. Benjamin Brou from Lille
University in France.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific,
and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held its second coordination meeting with
the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural
Property (ICCROM), on Wednesday, December 23, 2020. The videoconference examined
the key aspects of cooperation between ICESCO and ICCROM in the protection of
the cultural heritage of the Islamic world.
The meeting brought together Dr. Mohamed
Zine El Abidine, Director of Culture and Communication Sector at ICESCO; Mr.
Nassim Mhand Omer, Program Director at ICESCO, and Mr. Bilel Chebbi, Expert at
ICESCO. Dr. Zaki Aslan, Director of ICCROM-Sharjah, and Abdullah Halawa, Manager
of Policy Projects and Studies at ICCROM, were also present.
The two parties explored the importance of
cooperation in providing training and capacity-building for the staff and
specialists of the field of cultural heritage in the Islamic world, publicizing
museums, and ensuring the involvement of ICCROM in ICESCO’s programs for
supporting the museums that the COVID-19 crisis impacted.
At the close of the meeting, ICESCO and
ICCROM agreed to establish ICESCO chair on raising awareness of heritage and draft
a detailed contract of the project to be signed at the beginning of 2021.
As part of
the International Arabic Language Day celebrations, ICESCO Regional Educational
Center in Chad held several educational and cultural activities at its
headquarters in N’djamena and in many Chadian educational centers over the
period from December 18, through December 23, 2020.
The
celebration program features video presentations on Arabic and its teachings in
Chad and the role of the Center in promoting Arab education and bilingualism in
Chad, a symposium, a cultural and educational contest for students in N’djamena,
and a training session in Arabic calligraphy.
The Center
took part in ICESCO’s high-level Conference “Arabic Language: Foresight in a
Changing World.” Director of the Center, Dr. Ali Mohamed Qamar, delivered a
presentation titled “the Experience of ICESCO Regional Educational Center in
Chad in Teaching Arabic online under the COVID-19 Pandemic.”
The Center
participated on December 22, in a national symposium on the Arabic language that
the General Federation of Arabic Promotion Institution in Chad held as part of
a national week of celebrating the Arabic language. The symposium saw the commemoration
of a host of institutions, bodies, and centers, including ICESCO’s Regional
Educational Center in Chad.
ICESCO
Educational Center in Malaysia held a virtual symposium on “Arabic language
teaching and learning amid the unfolding change,” in cooperation with the
Malaysian Education Ministry, the Selangor International Islamic University
College, and Granada Editions. The symposium brought together experts from
Malaysia, Morocco, and France who explored the lessons learnt from the
successful experiences in the field of teaching Arabic during the COVID-19
pandemic and ways to upgrade remote education programs to become more efficient
and accessible to all.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Senegalese National Commission for Education, Science, and Culture have signed an agreement to launch the Project “Countering COVID-19 Effects through Supporting Innovation and Entrepreneurship among Women and Youth” in Senegal, in partnership with Alwaleed Philanthropies to help 10 African countries fight the adverse repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The virtual signing ceremony took place today in the presence of Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of ICESCO, and Mr. Mamadou Talla, Minister of National Education and President of the Senegalese National Commission.
In his address at the ceremony, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik reaffirmed that ICESCO will continue supporting its Member States in addressing the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The measure is part of ICESCO’s new vision that adopts more communication with countries to identify their respective needs and priorities and thus design and implement relevant programs and projects.
The DG expressed his sincere thanks and deep appreciation to ICESCO’s permanent partner, Alwaleed Philanthropies, whose Board of Directors is chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud, for its generous support to ICESCO’s humanitarian and social initiatives to assist 10 African countries, including Senegal.
Mr. Talla commended ICESCO’s excellent work, in particular the initiatives, programs, and activities the Organization launched and implemented during COVID-19, aimed at strengthening the efforts of Member States to address the negative impacts of the pandemic. Mr. Talla also appreciated Alwaleed Philanthropies’ assistance to Senegal through its partnership with ICESCO.
At the end of the ceremony, the two parties signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the implementation phases of the project. The aim is to develop a sense of innovation and entrepreneurship among women and youth in Senegal and support the private sector, entrepreneurs, and small enterprises.
For four decades, the Foundation has spent more than SAR 15 billion and carried out thousands of projects in over 189 countries. Ten Saudi female members manage the projects, benefiting more than one billion people around the world, regardless of gender, race, or religion. Alwaleed Philanthropies collaborates with a range of philanthropic, governmental, and educational organizations to combat poverty, empower women and youth, develop communities, provide disaster relief, and create cultural understanding through education. The goal is to build bridges for a more compassionate, tolerant, and accepting world.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural
Organization (ICESCO) took part in the 7th International Conference that the Kulliyyah
of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences held on Tuesday, December 22, at
the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). The theme of the
videoconference was the “Criticism and Innovation in Linguistics and Literary
Works.”
Mr. Adil Bouraoui, Advisor to ICESCO Director-General (DG) for
Arabic Language Centers Abroad and Academic Chairs, represented ICESCO in the
event. He delivered the second keynote speech on “ICESCO’s vision and efforts
to promote and disseminate Arabic in non-Arabic speaking countries.”
During his presentation, the ICESCO representative highlighted the
key aspects of the Organization’s new vision relating to Arabic and its roles
in an ever-changing world. He also talked about the attention the General
Directorate’s policies accord to teaching Arabic to its non-speakers. The
measures include the creation of the Center of Arabic for non-Arabic Speakers
in 2020, as part of ICESCO’s new organizational structure.
Mr. Bouraoui also discussed ICESCO’s efforts in the field as well
as the digital initiatives it launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, as part of
the “ICESCO Digital Home” for the benefit of learners of Arabic as a foreign
language and Arabic language teachers.
ICESCO set up in 2015 an educational center in Malaysia
specializing in teaching Arabic to non-Arabic speakers, to build the national
educational capacities in Malaysia and Southeast Asian countries in the field. The
center provides, in cooperation with the Malaysian Ministry of National
Education, numerous educational training programs for the benefit of education
professionals in the field, both in Malaysia and neighboring countries.
The
participants in the roundtable on “Foresight Attitude in the Philosophical
Spirit of Ibn Khaldun,” agreed unanimously that the ideas and books of Ibn
Khaldoun will remain valuable references adapted to all eras and places while
calling for the resources’ profound examination to understand and analyze the
present and anticipate the future. The Islamic World Educational, Scientific,
and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held yesterday the roundtable in partnership
with Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Foundation Morocco, at ICESCO’s headquarters.
The
Organizers held the event both face-to-face and remotely. The roundtable hosted
high-level participants including ambassadors, experts, researchers, and
academics from several countries.
Dr. Salim M.
AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), delivered an opening address wherein he revealed
that the Organization would carry out a study on the foresight thought of Ibn
Khaldun and his biography. The study will touch on the main phases of the
renowned scholar’s life, his intellectual journey, and enduring achievements
and works, the DG continued.
Dr. AlMalik
reaffirmed that roundtables, such as ICESCO’s, seek to highlight the major role
of intellectuals and scholars who left visible imprints in the history of the
Islamic world and humanity at large. The emphasis, Dr. AlMalik went on, should
be done through the recognition of the scholars’ efforts, examining their ideas,
and learning from their intellectual achievement heritage.
Mr. Steffen
Krüger, Representative of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Foundation Morocco,
pointed out that the Berlin-based foundation, with offices in more than 100
countries, conducts studies in languages. The foundation’s interests include
foresight, sciences, innovation, security, and the thoughts of outstanding
thinkers similar to Ibn Khaldun.
Dr. Kaïs
Hammami, Director of ICESCO Strategic Foresight Center, underscored the
importance of the roundtable, listed its objectives and topics. He also stated
that COVID-19 uncovered the important role of foresight today as it is key to implementing
the desired change.
Dr. Mohamed
Zine El Abidine, Director of Culture and Communication Sector of ICESCO, moderated
the first working session “History perception in Ibn Khaldun’s writings.” Dr.
Sohail Inayatullah, Visiting Lecturer at Futures Studies Institute at Tamkang
University in Taiwan, stated that Ibn Khaldun was the first to use the term
“future.” The Russian Orientalist Dr. Anna Belikova then explored the evolutionary
context of Ibn Khaldun’s critical thought. Dr. Hassan Haj Ali Al Azrak,
Professor of Political Science at the University of Khartoum, said that Ibn
Khaldun’s analysis of clannism contributes largely to the studies of
civilizational analysis studies that emerged over the last two decades.
At the same
session, Dr. Nadeem Omar Tarar, Executive Director of the Center for Cultural
and Development, Islamabad, provided a critical view of Ibn Khaldun’s approach
to the exegesis of the Holy Quran. Dr. Heba Raouf Mohamed Ezzat, Researcher and
university professor at Ibn Haldun University in Turkey, then pointed out that
the works of Ibn Khaldun remain of utmost importance, namely his
sociobiological approach to understanding life in general.
Ambassador
Khalid Fathalrahman, Director of Partnership and International Cooperation Sector
of ICESCO, moderated the second session “Empires and states theory of power.” Mr.
Victor V. Motti, Director of World Futures Studies Federation, gave a short
biography of Ibn Khaldun. Dr. Mohammed Ait Hammou, Researcher and university
professor of Islamic Philosophy and Modern Arabic Thoughts at the Dhar El
Mahraz University of Fes, made a comparative presentation between the realistic
and conceptual history of Ibn Khaldun. Dr. Faouzi Boukhriss, Researcher and
university professor of sociology at Ibn Tofail University in Kenitra, talked
about foresight in Ibn Khaldun’s thought through the education philosophy. Dr.
Mohamed Cherif Ferjani, Tunisian France-based political scientist, Islamologist,
and researcher, positioned Ibn Khaldun’s theories among anterior theories.
Dr.
Abdelilah Benarafa, Advisor to ICESCO Director-General (DG), moderated the
third session. The third session titled “Ibn Khaldun’s foresight thinking under
the framework of modern Islamic thoughts,” discussed foresight thought in Ibn
Khaldun’s philosophy.
Dr.
Abdessamad Ghazi, Director of the Center for Monitoring and Foresight Studies
at the Rabita Mohammadia of Ulemas, said that Ibn Khaldun was more than a history
commentator and that his books give an in-depth analysis on the course of
history.
Dr. Hanane
Hamoda, University Professor of sociology and anthropology at Mohammed V
University in Rabat, presented Ibn Khaldun’s thought model. Dr. Mohamed
Messouadi, University Professor of Philosophy at Mohammed V University in Rabat
and Researcher in political philosophy, stressed that Ibn Khaldun had predicted
the reality of our era. Dr. Allen Fromherz, Professor of History and director
of the Middle East Studies Center at Georgia State University, provided a
theoretical approach to Ibn Khaldun through his biography. Dr. Faouzi Skali, a Doctor
in anthropology, ethnology, and religious sciences, founder of the Festival of
Sufi Culture of Fes, touched on the Sufi thought in Ibn Khaldun’s philosophy.
At the close
of the roundtable, Dr. Kaïs Hammami thanked the participants, ICESCO’s guests
and team.
