Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World
Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Eng.
Waleed bin Abdulkarim Al-Khuraiji, Deputy Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia, to
explore cooperation prospects between the Kingdom and ICESCO in the fields of
education, science, and culture, in addition to several topics of mutual
interest.
During the meeting on Wednesday, February 17, 2021, at the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs in Riyadh, Dr. AlMalik discussed the major programmes and
activities that ICESCO will implement over the next period, as part of the Organization’s
proclamation of 2021 as the Year of Women. The DG also discussed the work
ICESCO carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic to support the efforts of its
Member States to mitigate the impact of the crisis, presenting the Deputy
Foreign Minister with a copy of ICESCO’s achievement report over the period
between May 2019 and September 2020.
The DG also noted that ICESCO’s new vision adopts an open-door
policy with regional and international organizations and bodies and endorses
building cooperation with them for the benefit of ICESCO Member States and
Muslim communities across the globe.
Eng. Al-Khuraiji commended the work of ICESCO and its leading roles
in the fields of education, science, and culture, reaffirming the importance of
cooperation with international and specialized organizations, especially the
Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
The ICESCO
Regional Educational Center in Chad hosted a three-day training session on “Excel-based
Statistical Data Analysis in Arab education in Chad.” The Center kicked off on
February 17 the videoconference in cooperation with the Statistical, Economic
and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC).
Mr. Adel
Bouraoui, Advisor to Director-General (DG) for ICESCO’s External Centers and University
Chairs of Arabic Language represented ICESCO at the opening ceremony. In
attendance were also Dr. Nebil Dabur, SESRIC Director General, and Dr Ali
Mohammad Qamar, Director of ICESCO Regional Educational Center in Chad.
Mr. Bouraoui
reviewed ICESCO’s efforts to help its Member States to have access to computer
software and ensure efficient use of ICTs in the service of national education
planning and build the skills required for current and future work, production,
and creativity processes. He also stressed the need to strengthen cooperation
and coordination between joint Islamic action institutions, including ICESCO
and SESRIC, to help competent educational parties in the Islamic world develop the
digital skills of their pedagogical staff.
Thirty
educational staff from among the Center’s teachers, pedagogical advisors, and
principals of Arab schools in Chad, attended the session that aims to enable participants
to better use analytical tools for statistical data in the field of Arab
education in Chad. The step would help them master assessment and planning
processes and take good decisions in their educational or administrative fields
of action.
The session features
various topics and materials falling into three themes: “Basic concepts and
principles in the field of statistics and data processing”; “Services offered
by Excel in the field of statistical analysis”; and “Inferential statistics,
hypotheses and statistical tests”.
Ms. Waad Bani Odeh, Statistician and Manager
of the Balance of Payments Statistics Project at the Palestinian Central Bureau
of Statistics (PCBS), supervised the session while Dr. Ali Mohamed Qamar,
Director of the ICESCO Regional Educational Center in Chad, supervised its
organizational aspects in coordination with ICESCO Center for Arabic for Non-Arabic
Speakers.
Dr. Abdulmajeed bin Abdullah Al-Banyan,
President of Naïf Arab University for Security Sciences (NAUSS), received Dr.
Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational,
Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), on Wednesday, February 17, 2021,
at the University headquarters in Riyadh. The meeting also brought together the
vice-presidents of the University and saw the signing of a cooperation
agreement between ICESCO and NAUSS.
Dr. Al-Banyan gave a presentation on NAUSS’s
future vision on security sciences, which focuses on leadership in training,
academic excellence, reference in scientific research, institutional
effectiveness, and financial sustainability. He also stressed that NAUSS aspires
to be the first Arab university in the areas of security sciences through
prioritizing the development of security sciences in the areas of
cybersecurity, organized crime, combating terrorism, extremism and forgery, and
environmental security, etc.
Dr. Al-Banyan shed light on the potentials
and the research and training centers of the University while reaffirming that NAUSS
can become one of the top 10 world universities in the field of security
sciences.
The meeting also reviewed the most recent
programmes and projects that are being implemented in cooperation with
international organizations, research centers, and universities, particularly between
ICESCO and NAUSS. The focus was also on future cooperation programmes,
particularly in the exchange of scientific and academic expertise and capacity-building
experiences, the promotion of scientific research and technology transfer, and
scholarships for students from Member States.
The two parties also tackled the expansion
of scholarships to provide opportunities for more students from the Islamic
world to study at NAUSS and benefit from its modern training centers and post-graduate
programmes in various security disciplines.
The cooperation agreement that ICESCO DG
and NAUSS President signed during his meeting aims at strengthening cooperation
between the two parties in academic and scientific fields, research, programmes
and activities, training and scientific seminars, capacity-building for
decision-makers, policymakers and civil society institutions, and good investment
of scientific potentials and resources to promote policies in areas of common
interest.
Following the meeting, Dr. Al-Banyan took
Dr. AlMalik on a tour of some of the specialized centers, which the University
equipped with state-of-the-art technologies, and provided an explanation of
their working mechanisms and contribution to the development of security
sciences, in accordance with the latest global standards.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural
Organization (ICESCO) took part in the annual international conference, held
this year under the theme, “Combatting Violent Extremism: New Responses to New
Challenges.” The Moroccan Observatory on Extremism and Violence is holding on
February 16-18, 2021, the three-day conference, in partnership with the General
Delegation for Prison and Reintegration Administration and the Mohammedan
League of Scholars.
Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Cultural Advisor to ICESCO Director-General
(DG), represented the Organization and gave an address at the opening session.
Dr. Benarafa reviewed the Organization’s strategy in the field, which follows a
proactive and preventive approach that relies on external and internal
protection in the fields of education and culture. The Cultural Advisor stated
that the strategy also focuses on economic integration and psychological
rehabilitation, seeks to address the impact of polarization, and carry out the
necessary intellectual reviews to attain reconciliation with oneself as well as
with society.
The Organization representative also mentioned the strategic
partnership program between ICESCO and the Mohammedan League of Scholars in
shielding against extremism, networking with universities, training programs to
dismantle the discourse of extremism, and the program of publishing and
translating educational tools relevant to countering the discourse of
extremism.
Dr. Benarafa talked about preparing a practical guide in
dismantling extremism discourse, hailing the comprehensive Morocco’s strategy
in fighting violent extremism, which has received international acclaim and is
based on three axes: a security approach, a socio-economic approach, and a
cultural and religious approach. He also commended the trust that Morocco
received upon its ratification of the UN Convention on Combating Terrorism with
the aim of opening the first UN center for fighting terrorism in Africa in
Rabat.
The conference’s programme featured specialized sessions on the
following topics: changes in terrorist threats: new responses to new threats”;
“new cyber challenges: from propagation and polarization to targeting infrastructures”;
“intellectual changes in violent extremism and new forms of extremist narratives and hatred discourse”;
“disengagement, fighting terrorism and rehabilitation: approaches, programs,
and evaluation tools”; and “women and violent extremism: towards a new
approaches that exceed stereotypes.”
The conference saw the participation of the UN Counter-Terrorism
Executive Directorate and multiple sectors in the Moroccan Government
representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Interior, the
Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Human Rights, the General Prosecutor, and
the Higher Magistrates’ Institute (ISM).
The conference also brought
together participants from the following countries: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia,
Mauritania, Libya, Senegal, Nigeria, Kenya, Spain, France, the UK, Italy,
Belgium, Switzerland, Hungary, the USA, Austria, Portugal, Norway, Romania,
Malta, Egypt, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the Philippines.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific,
and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), signed on Tuesday, February 16, 2021, a partnership
agreement with King Abdulaziz University and a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) with the Academy of Arab Poetry of Taif University, at the headquarters
of the Emirate of Makkah Region, in the presence of H.R.H. Prince Khalid
Al-Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy
Mosques, Governor of Makkah Region.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General
(DG), and Dr. Abdulrahman Obaid Al-Youbi, President of King Abdulaziz
University, signed the partnership agreement, which provides for cooperation
between the two parties to support scientific research in the fields of
education, science, culture, and communication. The agreement also aims to hold
fora and meetings in the fields of education and science, fund twenty chairs of
ICESCO Chairs Programme, provide the necessary technical assistance for
conducting and publishing educational and scientific research and studies, implement
specific activities and programmes, and encourage creative young talents in the
field of scientific research.
Dr. AlMalik and Dr. Yousef Asiri, President
of Taif University, signed the MoU, which sets forth cooperation between ICESCO
and the Academy of Arab Poetry in supporting Arab poetry, promoting women’s
poetry, and celebrating the World Poetry Day through cultural and artistic
activities. The MoU also aims at publicizing Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal
International Prize for Arabic Poetry, holding an international forum of
poetry, networking the academies, associations and clubs of poetry, publicizing
the works of great poets, translating poetry anthologies to world languages,
promoting the role of poetry and poets in the civilizational dialogue,
enhancing the values of tolerance, synergy and solidarity, and sharing
scientific and academic expertise and capacity-building experiences.
His Royal Highness Prince Khalid
Al-Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy
Mosques, Governor of Makkah Al-Mukarramah region, received on Tuesday, February
16, 2021, at the headquarters of the Emirate of Makkah Al-Mukarramah, the
Shield of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization
(ICESCO).
Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, ICESCO
Director-General (DG), presented the Shield to the prince in recognition of His
Highness’ great efforts in the service of the Arabic language and the
dissemination and presentation of Arab-Islamic culture.
During the reception by H.R.H. Prince
Khalid Al-Faisal of Dr. AlMalik, ICESCO DG reiterated his thanks and gratitude
to His Highness for his participation in the great international celebration
that ICESCO organized in December 2020 to mark the International Arabic
Language Day, under the theme: “The Arabic Language: Foresight in a
Changing World.” The DG underlined that the designation of H.R.H. Prince
Khalid Al-Faisal as the key speaker of the Conference had a great impact due to
the prestigious status of His Highness in all fields.
The DG also presented the main
aspects of the Organization’s vision and new action strategy, as well as the
most important initiatives, programs, and activities it is implementing to
strengthen the efforts of its Member States to achieve sustainable development
based on education, culture, innovation, and the use of modern technologies. He
also mentioned ICESCO’s proclamation of 2021 as the Year of Women, as well as
the main programs implemented in this framework to ensure equal opportunities
for girls and women and to eliminate gender discrimination in all fileds.
Dr. AlMalik also presented His Royal
Highness with a copy of the report on ICESCO’s achievements during the period
from May 2019 to September 2020, and the final report of ICESCO’s celebration
of the International Arabic Language Day, which includes all the interventions
of the participants and the issues raised during this event.
H.R.H. Prince Khalid Al-Faisal
welcomed ICESCO’s choice of His Highness to be the key speaker of the said
international conference and praised the central role the Organization plays in
the fields of education, science, and culture.
His Royal Highness Prince Badr bin Sultan
bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Emir of Makkah Region, received Dr. Salim M.
AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific,
and Cultural Organization (ICESCO). The meeting touched upon ICESCO’s new
vision and action strategy as well as its role in publicizing the true image of
the Islamic culture and civilization.
During the meeting, held on Tuesday,
February 16, 2021, at the headquarters of the Makkah Municipality, Dr. AlMalik
presented to H.R.H. Prince Badr bin Sultan a copy of ICESCO’s achievements report
for the period from May 2019 through September 2020. He also reviewed ICESCO’s
future programmes and activities, particularly for women in celebration of 2021
as the Year of Women, as well as the International Conference on the Prophet’s
Seerah due to be held next May.
H.R.H. Prince Badr bin Sultan commended the
roles of ICESCO while stressing that the Organization’s selection of H.R.H.
Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Emir
of Makkah Region, as the guest of honor of the International Conference on Arabic
Language, held under the theme “Arabic language… Foresight in a changing
world,” crowned the intellectual and cultural efforts of His Highness,
particularly in serving Arabic language.
Dr. Salim M.
AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific,
and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received the shield of King Abdulaziz
University (KAU) in Saudi Arabia from Dr. Abdulrahman Obaid Al-Youbi, KAU President,
in recognition of ICESCO’s distinguished efforts to support its Member States
in facing the adverse repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Having received
the shield at the university’s headquarters in Jeddah on February 15, Dr.
AlMalik held a meeting with Dr. Al-Youbi during which they exchanged views on
future cooperation, while reaffirming their keenness to develop cooperation
between ICESCO and the University. The cooperation, the two parties
underscored, will pave the way for constructive and vital collaboration between
universities in Member States through the Federation of the Universities of the
Islamic World (FUIW) of which ICESCO DG is the ex-officio Secretary-General.
Discussions
during the meeting also touched on the pandemic’s impact of the university
system with and ways to empower future universities to cope with crises. The
two parties also examined ICESCO’s programmes relevant to scholarships, academic
chairs, and the importance of the cooperation agreement which the two parties
will sign tomorrow under which many of ICESCO’s academic chairs will be
supported.
Established
in 1967, KAU is one of the most prominent higher education institutions in
Saudi Arabia and worldwide in terms of the number of enrolled students and the
variety of integrated theoretical and practical disciplines. The University
offers educational programmes adapted to the evolving requirements of society thus
being ranked on top of the Islamic world’s universities in many global university
rankings.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG)
of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO),
and Dr. Bandar Hajjar, Chairman of the Islamic Development Bank Group (IsDB), explored
the prospects of cooperation between the two parties in many areas, primarily
education.
During the meeting, held on Monday, February
15, 2021 at IsDB’s headquarters in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with the participation
of a number of the Bank officials, Dr. AlMalik reviewed the major achievements
that ICESCO has made since May 2019. He also highlighted the initiatives,
programmes, and activities ICESCO launched and implemented to support the
efforts of Member States to counter the negative repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic,
as well as the major programmes and activities of the celebration of 2021 as
the Year of Women.
Dr. Hajjar reviewed the fruitful activities
and programmes of IsDB during the COVID-19 pandemic, which are ongoing in many
countries.
The meeting also touched upon the prospects
of cooperation between ICESCO and IsDB in several areas, including the
integration of technology in education, scholarships for students from the
Islamic world, focusing mainly on future occupations. The cooperation prospects
also included the study of ICESCO on post-COVID-19 education, as well as the programmes
of humanitarian and social assistance and environmental conservation.
Dr. AlMalik also shed light on the
leadership incubators that ICESCO launched at its headquarters, in Rabat, and
10 other future incubators to support young people in the Islamic world with
the required future leadership skills in the fields of education, science and
culture. The meeting also tackled the prospects of cooperation of IsDB with
ICESCO in the leadership incubators to expand its scope to many Muslim
countries.
The two parties agreed on holding technical
virtual meetings to examine and identify cooperation programmes and projects.
At the close of the meeting, ICESCO DG expressed
his thanks to the Chairman of IsDB for his kind welcome and willingness to
develop constructive cooperation between the Organization and the Group.
Mr. Saleh Mansour, Executive Assistant of IsDB
Chairman for Africa Region; and Dr. Thamer Baazeem, Director of Marketing and
Communication at IsDB, attended the meeting, which also brought together Dr.
Abdulhakim Elwaer, Executive Assistant of IsDB Chairman for Partnerships; and
Mr. Elwalid Hamour, Head of IsDB Regional Office in Rabat, through videoconference.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World
Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Dr.
Youssef bin Ahmad Al-Othamimeen, Secretary-General (SG) of the Organization of
Islamic Cooperation, and together they explored several issues of mutual
interest. The two parties stressed the importance of keeping the working
committee that they set up to coordinate between the two organizations.
During the meeting held on Monday, February 15, 2021, at the OIC
headquarters in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the two parties reaffirmed the
complementary relation between the two organizations. They also discussed the
significance of specialized sector-based conferences and the need to consider
the geographical distribution in selecting the venues for these conferences.
Dr. AlMalik highlighted the key programmes the Organization
implements including programmes for training and building the capacities of
young people in the Islamic world through leadership incubators. He also
discussed ICESCO’s proclamation of 2021 as the Year of Women, stressing the
importance of the OIC participation in the year’s activities and programmes as
well as the participation of the Organization for Women Development in OIC
Member States.
The two parties agreed to implement several joint programmes to be set
through the Joint Committee, which holds its meetings annually to coordinate
between the two organizations. They also agreed to hold the Committee’s meeting
soon to review the details of these programmes.
At the close of the meeting, ICESCO DG expressed, on his and the
Organization’s behalf, his thanks and appreciation to the OIC SG for his
keenness to sustain constructive cooperation between the two parties.
Several OIC officials attended the meeting namely, Ambassador Tariq
Bakhit, Assistant SG for Humanitarian, Cultural and Social Affairs; Dr. Amina
Obeid Al-Hajri, DG of the Department of Cultural and Social and Family Affairs;
and Dr. Maha Aqil, Director of the Department of Family Affairs.
