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The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Egyptian National Commission for Education, Science and Culture held a training session for the benefit of professionals in project management and feasibility studies of restoring antiquities, as well as restoration specialists at the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.

The session, which was held in Cairo from February 26 to March 2, 2023, aimed at developing the beneficiaries’ skills in the field of strategies for restoration projects, the stages of their preparation following international standards, types of contracting and business standards, methodology for organizing projects and procedures and follow-up of business progress.

During the opening of the session, Dr. Mohamed Samir Hamza, Head of the Cultural Affairs and Missions Sector at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and supervisor of the Egyptian National Commission, explained that investing in heritage has become one of the key lucrative projects in the contemporary economy, adding that heritage is very important in complementing human identity.

For her part, Dr. Suha Bahjat, Advisor to the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities for Training Affairs, indicated that climate changes have greatly affected the antiquities, highlighting the need to invest in building the capacities of professionals in the sector.

Dr. Ahmed Ragab, Dean of the Faculty of Archeology at Cairo University, confirmed that the faculty is keen on transferring its international expertise in the field of antiquities restoration and maintenance and providing training and practical opportunities for professionals in the field.

Ms. Doha Mghabbar, from the ICESCO Center of Strategic Foresight, represented the Organization in the session and highlighted the importance of cultural heritage in the countries of the Islamic world, noting that ICESCO spares no effort in cooperating with its Member States to achieve sustainable development goals and build prosperous societies.

On the sidelines of the session, ICESCO’s representative held meetings with the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, Cairo University, the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, and the Egyptian Committee of the International Council of Museums, where she explored cooperation prospects in the fields of training and foresight studies.

Mr. Mahmoud Siral-Khatim Al-Houri, Minister of Education, President of the Sudanese National Commission for Education, Science and Culture, visited the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization, which is currently organized at the headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in Rabat.

Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, ICESCO Deputy Director-General, received Mr. Al-Houri, on Wednesday (March 1, 2023), indicating that the exhibition, which is the first edition outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, comes within the framework of the strategic partnership between the Organization, the Muslim World League and the Mohammadia League of Scholars, and keeps up with ICESCO’s vision and its strategic orientations geared towards highlighting the civilizational aspects in the Prophet’s biography and the moderation of Islam.

After the tour of the various pavilions and sections of the exhibition, the Sudanese minister commended this great exhibition, pointing out its success in linking visitors to the biography of the Prophet (PBUH) using the latest and augmented reality technologies.

The headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) hosted the official launch ceremony of the “Titrit” platform, which is aimed at the digital inclusion of 50,000 girls between the ages of 8-18 from all regions of the Kingdom of Morocco. Organized by eSTEM Morocco in cooperation with ICESCO, its Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW) and HP on Wednesday, 1st March 2023, the ceremony marks the 10th anniversary of eSTEM Morocco.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General of ICESCO, emphasized that the Organization is aware of the importance of encouraging girls and women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and strives to promote their participation in these fields by offering them scholarships and holding workshops for the benefit of female and male school teachers and university professors.

The ICESCO official also noted that FUIW plays an instrumental role in preparing young women to access academic programmes in science, pursue a career in STEM and become successful business leaders.

Ms. Aawatif Hayar, Minister of Solidarity, Social Integration and Family, stressed that digital technology contributes to upgrading the educational process, reviewing the Ministry’s efforts and programmes to promote women’s participation in STEM.

Ms. Zaria Qadafi, representative of TechWomen, noted that this American initiative seeks to train and support the new generation of women leaders in STEM by holding various workshops facilitated by experts and specialists from the United States of America.

Mr. Salah Ouardi, North and West Africa and Islands District Manager at HP, highlighted the company’s commitment to contributing to the achievement of sustainable development goals (SDGs) relating to bridging the digital gender divide, adding that the “Titrit” platform comes within this perspective. For her part, Mrs. Nezha Larhrissi, President of eSTEM Morocco, shared her experience in establishing the organization to promote girls’ digital inclusion.

The first panel discussion, which was themed “From Silicon Valley to Morocco: Changing Perspective on Future Employment Opportunities for Women,” then started, followed by a second panel discussion which discussed the role of the “Titrit” platform and information technology in bridging the digital gender divide. At the close of the ceremony, participants took group photos.

The Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW), affiliated with the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), participated in the thirty-fifth meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Islamic University of Niger, held in Niamey and presided over by Ambassador Nasser bin Abdullah bin Hamdan Al-Zaabi, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, in the presence Mamoudou Djibo, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the State of Niger.

Dr. Omar Halli, Advisor to ICESCO Director-General for the Universities of the Islamic World, took part in this three-day meeting, which concluded its proceedings on Monday (February 27, 2023).

The Board of Trustees of the Islamic University in Niger approved several reports submitted by the University President on the financial, academic and administrative matters of the university.

The meeting also approved the report submitted by Mr. Abdulrahman Al-Jarwan, Chairman of the University’s Advisory Academic Committee, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Trustees, on a set of academic procedures and important decisions. At the close of its meeting, the Board approved the new draft budget of the university.

After that, the Board members visited the university campus in Sai, in the south of Niamey, and attended several activities of the university.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) participated in the third session of the Mediterranean Forum for Sustainable Development, held in Tetouan, Kingdom of Morocco, under the theme “Youth, to determine our future,” organized by the Moroccan Association of Education, Training and Social Development, in cooperation with the United Nations Information Center in Morocco, in the presence of 2000 participants, including ambassadors, heads of international organizations, institutions, experts in the field of development, and students from various disciplines.

During the three-day forum, which concluded its proceedings on Sunday (February 26, 2023), Dr. Muhammad Sharif, advisor to the Science and Technology Sector of ICESCO, reviewed the Organization’s efforts to support its Member States for achieving sustainable development goals through a number of initiatives, programs and projects in the fields of education, scientific research, innovation, culture and communication, and enhance the capacities of youth and women.

The forum also brought together some of the participants in the 2022 edition of the ICESCO Young Professional Program, which provides the opportunity for young competencies from Muslim countries to benefit from professional qualification in the specialized sectors, departments and centers of ICESCO, within the Organization’s vision and strategic orientations to build youth capacities and provide them with new professional skills that keep pace with the global technological development.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) participated in the Forum of “Gender Equality: International Indicators, Key Practices and Lessons for a Balanced Workplace,” held by the Institute of Public Administration in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in cooperation with the World Bank, aimed at exchanging experiences, knowledge and lessons in the field of women’s rehabilitation policies, with the participation of several experts and specialists as well as regional and international organizations and bodies.

Ms. Ramata Almamy Mbaye, Head of Human and Social Sciences Sector, and Ms. Rime Jirari, Head of the Section of Organizations and Bodies in the Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector, represented ICESCO in the Forum, which concluded its activities today, February 28, 2023.

In her address during the Forum, Mrs. Ramata Almamy Mbaye noted the efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the field of gender equality and reviewed ICESCO’s key programmes and projects to enhance gender balance, address gender-based discrimination and build women’s capacity, highlighting that the Organization provides an environment for supporting the presence of women in leadership positions.

For her part, Ms. Rime Jirari stressed the necessity of establishing a fruitful dialogue between decision-makers, the parties concerned and experts in a participatory approach to meet the needs of countries and societies, emphasizing ICESCO’s eagerness to cooperate with its Member States in the field of enhancing gender equality, capacity building and dialogue through organizing workshops and training sessions and encouraging scientific research.

On the Forum’s sidelines, ICESCO’s delegation held a meeting with the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture and Science to follow up on the proposals related to youth and women’s development programmes.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Korea Institute of Child Care signed a memorandum of understanding to implement several joint programs and activities to build capacities and hone skills in the field of early childhood education and care. The Institute focuses its work on developing the research and policies relevant to early childhood education and care.

The MoU was signed via videoconference, by Ms. Amira El-Fadil, Head of the Sector of Partnerships and International Cooperation at ICESCO, and Dr. Sanji Park, President of the Institute. The signing ceremony was also attended by a number of ICESCO’s heads of sectors and departments and experts and a host of the Institute’s officials and researchers.

The MoU provides for implementing some research projects and initiatives pertaining to early childhood care, focusing on issues and challenges facing the education sector and promoting the professional growth of stakeholders, notably trainers, teachers and government officials. The MoU also provides for the joint organization of international conferences, meetings and workshops, geared toward improving the quality and fairness of this field.

Likewise, the MoU covers publishing works on early childhood education and educational policies and best practices, and facilitating partnership and cooperation to contribute to honoring international commitments to ensuring children’s rights to quality care and education through developing curricula, training teachers in ICESCO Member States and mainstreaming advanced educational techniques and methods in this field.

“Peace 360º Approach in Academia,” a program implemented by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in cooperation with the International University of Rabat (IUR), concluded its proceedings today, Friday, February 24, 2023. The Program aims to strengthen educational programs in the field of peacebuilding and security in ICESCO’s Member States, through an approach based on a comprehensive and multidisciplinary methodology.

Dr. Ndioro Ndiaye, President of the Alliance for Migration, Leadership and Development and Coordinator of the Francophone Network for Gender Equality, gave the Program’s closing remarks, where she stressed the importance of focusing on women and the youth in peacebuilding operations.

She also highlighted the need to better understand the relationship between migration, peace and development to take measures to improve the management of migration issues.It is worth noting that the Program benefitted students in the IUR’s Master’s Program on Conflict Resolution and Governance of Peace.

It was implemented over a ten-hour teaching and exchange format, which allowed the beneficiaries to learn more about the Program which would likely prompt more research and knowledge production in the field of building peace.