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    AlMalik: Major challenges facing higher education and scientific research in most Islamic world countries

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    **The Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW) should be a vehicle for cooperation and coordination

    The Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), FUIW Secretary General, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, stated that in order for universities to fully discharge their pivotal role in achieving sustainable development in the Islamic world, the Federation must serve as a vehicle for cooperation and coordination between these universities, amid the runaway global economic developments and the increasing demand for human resources capable of integrating the new labor market based on the growing dependence on ICTs and AI.

    In his address at the opening session of the 23rd session of the FUIW Executive Council, kicked off in Sharjah, State of the United Arab Emirates and will continue for two days, Dr. AlMalik stated that one of the objectives of the Federation was to endeavor, through cooperation and coordination among universities, to bridge gaps and share expertise and experiences. However, Dr. AlMalik deplored, after several decades of work, only 347 universities from the Islamic world joined the Federation and that out of 1150 universities in the Arab region, only third of that number are members in the FUIW, which make up a very small portion of the overall number of universities in the Islamic world.

    Moreover, ICESCO Director General highlighted that amid the vast expansion of higher education around the globe and the mounting competition between all the higher education styles, higher education and scientific research in most Islamic world countries is struggling with various problems and challenges, such as unclear priorities and strategies of higher education, underfunding, lack of awareness of the importance of new scientific research, networking opportunities and databases, limited scope of international cooperation and human capital flight to industrially and technologically advanced countries.

    In the same vein, Dr. AlMalik stressed that efforts will be made to advance higher education in Islamic world countries under ICESCO’s new vision through which the Organizations seeks to become a beacon of global outreach. These efforts include focusing on sustainable development issues, eradicating of poverty, countering extremism and hate speech, empowering women and the youth, supporting civil society, ensuring education for refugees and displaced people, preserving heritage and learning from the enormous developments in AI and future learning styles so as to turn the Federation into a platform for knowledge and science and a vehicle for cooperation and coordination.

    23rd FUIW Executive Council kicks off in Sharjah

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    Today, the 23rd session of the Executive Council of the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW) kicked off today and will continue over two days at the University of Sharjah, State of the United Arab Emirates.

    The opening session started with an address by Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Government Relations in Sharjah, wherein he hailed the holding of the Executive Council in Sharjah, wishing every success to the participants toward more excellence for joint Islamic action, notably in education and scientific research.

    Next, Dr. Ahmed Al-Ameri, Rector of Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, President of the 7th FUIW General Conference, Chairman of the Executive Council, took the floor and underlined the importance of the current session of the Council as it will discuss reports on the evolution of the Federation since its inception and the future prospects of its action.

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director General, FUIW Secretary General, delivered an address wherein he first expressed his thanks and gratitude to His Highness Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi, member of the Federal Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates, Ruler of Sharjah, President of the University of Sharjah, for his unstinting support to ICESCO through his patronage of ICESCO Regional Office in Sharjah and his constant willingness to contribute to the achievement of cultural, scientific and educational development of Islamic world countries.

    Moreover, ICESCO Director General underscored the important role that should be assumed by the Federation to promote cooperation and coordination between Islamic world universities in the next stage so that it will turn into platform for science and knowledge and leverage for cooperation, complementarity and exchange between universities.

    At the close of his address, Dr. AlMalik thanked the administration of the University of Sharjah, on top of it its Chancellor, Dr. Hamid M. Al Naimiy, for the hosting and good reception and organization of this session of the Executive Council.

    For his part, Dr. Hamid M. Al Naimiy, made an address in which he expressed his delight for the University’s hosting of this important event, lauded the role of the Federation in supporting cooperation among universities and welcomed the participants wishing them every success in their work.

    After the reception, the working sessions saw the examination of the Report of FUIW Secretary General on the Federation’s General Secretariat between the 22nd and 23rd sessions of the Executive Council; the Federation’s Financial Report for 2018; the Report of the Secretary General on the Federation’s Current Situation and Future Prospects; and the membership applications submitted by many universities of the Islamic world.

    Established in 1987, the FUIW works under the umbrella of ICESCO and has now 347 Member Universities and higher education institutes.

    AlMalik and Hamdan bin Rashid explore promotion of ICESCO-Hamdan Prize for Voluntary Development of Education Institutions

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, received Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), to explore ways to promote ICESCO-Hamdan Prize for Voluntary Development of Education Institutions in Islamic World Countries”, chaired by His Highness.

    In a meeting held today evening at Zabeel Palace in Dubai, ICESCO Director General expressed his thanks and appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Hamdan for his support to the Organization to enable it to fully discharge its human and educational mission in the Islamic world. Moreover, he highly appreciated the moral and financial value of the Prize.

    In this vein, Dr. AlMalik invited His Highness to the award ceremony of the Prize at its first edition to be held in April 2020 by ICESCO at its headquarters in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco.

    Talks during the meeting also touched on ICESCO’s activities, development programmes in the field of education in Islamic countries and future action plans, namely after the 40th Executive Council, closed at Abu Dhabi a day ago, which marks a new promising start for ICESCO. The Council adopted the Organization’s new Vision, Strategic Action Plan, Amended Chart and Internal Regulations, as well as several decisions likely to allow the Organization to open up to wider global horizons.

    In attendance at the meeting were Dr. Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Advisor to H.H. the Sheikh, the Prize’s General Coordinator; and Dr. Ahmed Said Bah, Director of External Relations and Cooperation at ICESCO.

    Established in 2017 with support from His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum and ICESCO, the Prize aims to incentivize authors of voluntary initiatives and charity works in education, namely in the development of educational institutions in Islamic world countries.

    The Prize is awarded every other year to three winners from among individuals or institutions having contributed to developing education institutions in Islamic world countries. The value of the Prize stands at 300,000 US$. Each winner receives a shield and a reward of US$100,000 which will go to charity work, especially developing education institutions.

    FUIW Executive Council to hold its 23rd session at Sharjah University

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    The Executive Council of the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW) will hold its 23rd session at the University of Sharjah, State of the United Arab Emirates, on 2-3 February 2020.

    The session will be opened in the presence of Dr. Salim M. Almalik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), FUIW Secretary General; Dr. Ahmed bin Salem Al-Ameri, Rector of Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, President of the 7th FUIW General Conference, Chairman of the Executive Council; and rectors and representatives of Member Universities at the Executive Council.

    The agenda of the Executive Council features the discussion of the Report of FUIW Secretary General on the Federation’s General Secretariat between the 22nd and 23rd sessions of the Executive Council; the Federation’s Financial Report for 2018; and the Report of the Secretary General on the Federation’s Current Situation and Future Prospects; and the examination of a number of membership applications submitted by many universities of the Islamic world.

    The Executive Council is composed of the following Member Universities: Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; University of Sharjah, State of the United Arab Emirates; International Islamic University, Islamic Republic of Pakistan; International University of Africa, Republic of the Sudan; Al-Quds University, State of Palestine; University of Maroua, Republic of Cameroon; Menoufia University, Arab Republic of Egypt; University of Hassan II, Kingdom of Morocco; Bayero University, Federal Republic of Nigeria; Russian Islamic University in Ufa, Russian Federation; Yarmouk University, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan; Qatar University, State of Qatar; Azerbaijan State University of Economics, Republic of Azerbaijan; International Islamic University Malaysia; and the Islamic University in Uganda.

    Established in 1987, the FUIW works under the umbrella of ICESCO and has now 347 Member Universities and higher education institutes.

    The 22nd session of the Executive Council was held in December 2018 at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco.

    ICESCO Executive Council concludes its proceedings in Abu Dhabi

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    Today, in Abu Dhabi, States of the United Arab Emirates, the 40th session of the Executive Council of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), held its closing session. This session adopted the Final Report of 40th Session, which was marked by the start of a new phase in ICESCO’s history. The Council adopted many decisions, plans and amendments presented by the Organization’s General Directorate. This Session also enjoyed the powers of the General Conference, the highest authority supervising ICESCO’s action, by virtue of the powers vested in it by the 3rd Extraordinary General Conference, held in the Area of Makkah Al-Mukarramah, on 9 May 2019.

    The opening session kicked off with the adoption of the Final Report of 40th Session. Then, Dr. Salma Al-Darmaki, Secretary General of the National Commission, gave an address on behalf of Dr. Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development of the United Arab Emirates, wherein she conveyed her congratulations on the adoption of the new start of ISESCO, while reaffirming the commitment of the United Arab Emirates to support ICESCO so as to attain its desired objectives based on the belief that achieving a better future for the progress and prosperity of the Islamic world requires combining efforts and achieving a cultural and educational resurgence based on solidarity and collective thinking for the good of Muslim peoples.

    Thereafter, H.E. Dr. Boubakar Doukouré, Chairman of the Executive Council of ICESCO, took the floor and expressed his sincere thanks and deep gratitude to the United Arab Emirates for hosting the 40th session of the Executive Council, and to the Council members for their active interactions with the plans and decisions presented by the General Directorate as well as the constructive discussion throughout the sessions. He also stated that, for special conditions, he sent his resignation to the National Commission of Burkina Faso, and waits for the appointment of new Secretary General while stressing that he will continue to support ICESCO.

    Besides, Dr. AlMalik delivered a closing address in which he expressed his thanks to the United Arab Emirates for the generous hospitality offered to the Council members and ICESCO’s working team. He also thanked the Council members for their enlightened opinions, ideas and proposals expressed while examining ICESCO’s strategic vision and future action plans.

    Dr. AlMalik also underlined that the support of the Executive Council to ICESCO’s consolidates belief in in a better future for the joint Islamic action in the fields of education, science, technology, culture and communication while stressing that the Organization will provide all its efforts to serve Member States and Muslim communities outside the Islamic world, focus on the priorities and needs expressed by the national competent parties, and pay special attention to the most vulnerable and needy regions and groups.

    On his part, Dr. Ali Zeidan Abu Zuhri, President of ISESCO General Conference, in a short address, expressed his thanks to the United Arab Emirates for hosting the 40th session of the Executive Council, which he considered as pivotal in the history of the Organization as it adopted important decisions that will impact its action over the coming period and enable it to implement its new vision for the benefit of Member States.

    He also thanked Dr. Boubakar Doukouré for all the services he gave to ICESCO throughout his membership and chairmanship of the Council.

    Afterwards, Dr. Boubakar Doukouré received a commemorative medal from Dr. AlMalik under huge applaud of the Council members. He also received a certificate of thanks and appreciation from Lalla Malika Issoufou, First Lady of Niger, Guest of Honor of the 40th Session.

    The morning session of the Council’s second day adopted the Project on the Establishment of a Development Waqf Fund for ICESCO, Project on the Establishment of ICESCO International Consultative Council, the New Audit Company, and Election of the Financial Control Committee Members, including Republic of Senegal, State of Kuwait, Republic of Azerbaijan, Malaysia, and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

    The Council also announced the date and venue of the 41st Session, to be held at the beginning of next year at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, before the General Conference, to be held in Malaysia, in 2021.

    During this session, the delegate of the Kingdom of Morocco called on all the national commissions to attend the workshop organized by Morocco in cooperation with ISESCO this year so as to share expertise in order to develop the action of these commissions in line with ICESCO’s new vision.

    ICESCO pays tribute to Dr. Boubakar Doukouré, Chairman of ICESCO Executive Council

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) paid tribute to Dr. Boubakar Doukouré, Chairman of ICESCO Executive Council, in recognition of his services to the Organization throughout his years as member of the Executive Council, then its Chairman, a position he announced resigning from today, at the closing session of the 40th Executive Council in Abu Dhabi.  Dr. Doukouré stated that he sent his letter of resignation to the President of the National Commission of Burkina Faso and informed the said Commission to select another representative in the Council.

    During the session, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director General, decorated Dr. Doukouré with a commemorative medal, amid a standing ovation from the members of the Executive Council. Dr. Lalla Malika Issoufou, First Lady of Niger, guest of honor of the Executive Council, also handed the former Chairman a certificate of thanks and appreciation, in the presence of Dr. Ali Zaidan Abu Zuhri, President of ICESCO General Conference, and Dr. Salma Al Darmaki, Secretary General of the Emirati National Commission.

    For his part, Dr. Doukouré expressed his thanks to the Organization for this tribute, stating that he has fond memories of the Organization’s General Directorate and staff members; and promised to constantly support ICESCO’s new plans and visions.

    AlMalik: ICESCO will mobilize its capacities to serve Member States and Muslim communities around the world

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), stated that the support of ICESCO Executive Council to the Organization’s new forward-looking vision boosted confidence in a better future for joint Islamic action in the fields of education, science, technology, culture and communication.

    Dr. AlMalik, in an address at the closing session of 40th ICESCO Executive Council, today, in Abu Dhabi, reaffirmed that the Organization will mobilize its capacities, resources, initiatives and projects, as well as its relations and partnerships in service of Member States and Muslim communities outside the Islamic world. He added that ICECSO will focus on the priorities and needs put forward by national competent parties, while giving special attention to the most vulnerable regions and categories that are in dire need for help.

    In addressing the Executive Council members, ICESCO Director General stated: “The future ICESCO we outlined together will be marked by fulfilled commitments and obligations. To this effect, we will spare no effort to optimally implement the important decisions that you adopted”.

    He added that the General Directorate, out of its high appreciation of the in-depth discussions, constructive and objective criticism and pertinent proposals, reaffirms to the Council members its willingness to draw on all the development-oriented remarks and guidance suggestions they put forward, driven by their genuine desire to benefit the Organization and ensure its good functioning.

    The Director General also reiterated his thanks to reiterate to His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State of the United Arab Emirates, Emir of Abu Dhabi; to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces; and to Ms. Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development and her assisting team.

    Likewise, ICESCO Director General expressed his thanks and appreciation to Dr. Boubakar Doukouré, Chairman of ICESCO Executive Council, who submitted his resignation to the Council’s Presidency. Dr. AlMalik stated that he tried tirelessly to convince Dr. Doukouré to reconsider his decision but in vain, wishing him every success in his responsibilities and missions that pushed him to take this decision, while commending his expertise and good management of the Council, as well as his ability to unite positions and bring views closer together.

    At the close of his address, ICESCO Director General thanked all members of the Executive Council for their valuable participation and remarkable input, reaffirming that the Organization will continue working with them to forge ahead towards meeting the level of expectations, and stating that the key projects adopted by the Council are a responsibility shouldered by ICESCO, be it in terms of implementation, follow up or revision.

    MoU between ICESCO and EWB

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    On the sidelines of the 40th Executive Council of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), the Organization and Educators without Borders (EWB) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) covering seven (7) different programmes to be implemented over the period 2020-2022.

    The MoU was signed for ICESCO by its Director General, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, and for EWB by its Chairwoman, Dr. Karima Matar Almazroui.

    The MoU includes seven projects in the field of education, namely integration of educational technologies into the Islamic world educational systems, integrated world toward literacy and adult education, development of the programme on teaching Arabic for non-Arabic speakers, health education for rural areas populations and young people in Member States, support for ICESCO Expert Network for Teaching Arabic for non-Arabic Speakers, and dialogue on women literacy toward development.

    MoU between ICESCO and TWMCC signed

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    As part of its new strategy, which adopts more openness to the world and the promotion of cooperation with international organizations and bodies operating in its areas of competence, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) signed a memorandum of understanding with the World Muslim Communities Council (TWMCC), today, in Abu Dhabi, on the sidelines of the  40th ICESCO Executive Council. The MoU provides for partnership in 20 programmes covering the Organization’s different areas of competence.

    The memorandum was signed for ICESCO by its Director General, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, and for the TWMCC by its Chairman, Dr. Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi.

    The MoU covers the period 2020-2022 and provides for implementing 20 cooperation programmes covering five (5) main fields of action. Four of these programmes cover the cultural field, namely publicizing Islamic culture, supporting the reading the Islamic book, publicizing Islamic artistic heritage, benefiting from Muslim cultural capacities. Programmes in the socio-economic field included family guidance, training on life skills, vocational rehabilitation and self-employment, and awareness raising on civil rights and citizenship requirements.

    As for the educational field, the MoU covers four programmes, namely supporting education on Islamic values, school support, demands for integrating Islamic schools in formal education, and consolidating Islamic school educational revitalization.

    Likewise, the MoU included four programmes in the field of information and communication, namely promoting publishing and translation, developing radio broadcasting, taking advantage of electronic communication tools, and countering hostility towards Islam. It also included the following four programmes in the religious field: developing religious guidance’s methods and mechanisms, developing fatwa mechanisms, building the capacities of Muslim religious leaders, and activating the institutional role of mosques.

    Two letters of thanks to UAE from ICESCO Director General and Executive Council

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    At the close of the 40th Executive Council of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in Abu Dhabi, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director General, and Dr. Boubakar Doukouré, Chairman of ICESCO Executive Council, in their names and on behalf of the participants in this session, sent two letters of thanks respectively to His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State of the United Arab Emirates, Ruler of Abu Dhabi; and to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces.

    Dr. AlMalik read out the two letters before the participants today at the closing session of the Council.

    The first letter shares the honor of the Executive Council members, at the close of its 40th session, held on 29-30 January 2020, in Abu Dhabi, to express to His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan their deep thanks and gratitude for supporting the joint Islamic action so as to serve the Islamic world’s issues and promote the Muslim Ummah in various fields. “The members avail themselves of this opportunity to express to His Highness their great appreciation of his successful efforts in serving education, science, technology, culture and communication by entrenching the foundations of quality in the relevant national systems, promoting cooperation and partnership with the relevant international parties, and adopting forward-looking visions that has allowed the United Arab Emirates to have a leading position at the Islamic world in the field of future industry”, the letter added.  

    The second letter sent to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan expresses the deep thanks and gratitude of the Council member for his continuous support to leading development initiatives in his country and Muslim countries so as to promote the Muslim Ummah in various fields. “The members avail themselves of this opportunity to express to His Highness their great appreciation of his successful efforts in serving education, science, technology, culture and communication through the major scientific, educational and cultural initiatives he launched as well as the ambitious development projects he supports with a view to entrenching the foundations of knowledge society, creativity, innovation, pioneering and localization of technology,” the letter added.