Category: News update

The first edition of the (GSSF)

The first day of the joint ICESCO-Space Foundation Global Space Science Forum under the theme: “Exploring the Space Science Future – Together,” featured scientific tours aiming to explore the promising future of space science and applications, and saw the participation of officials, experts, and policymakers who brought new perspectives into the dialogue on space science, emphasizing that it is the science of the future in which humanity must invest to meet current and future challenges.

The Forum kicked off on Monday, November 1, 2021, face-to-face at ICESCO headquarters, in Rabat, and via videoconference, with a speech by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), in which he highlighted the need for the enhancement of investment in space science and technology and stressed the importance of raising collective awareness and building the capacity of young people, women, and girls to stimulate their participation in the growing space science activities to support the world’s efforts to achieve shared sustainable development goals.

The DG explained that the technological progress achieved in the past decades, which led to a surge in the global economy, requires meeting social and economic challenges, noting the pivotal role that space science and technology play in this field.

Dr. AlMalik reiterated the Organization’s unwavering commitment to supporting scientific, educational, and cultural activities in its Member States through the adoption of new technologies, capacity building, support of the technology-driven economy, awareness-raising, modern knowledge dissemination. The policy recommendations emanating from the ICESCO Global Space Science Forum can help achieve all these objectives as they serve as a foundation for national policies that promote the Islamic world’s use of space science technology.

In his address, Dr. Abdellatif Miraoui, Moroccan Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation, commended ICESCO’s programs and activities aimed at developing scientific research and innovation in the Islamic world, highlighting the special attention accorded by His Majesty King Mohammed VI – may God assist him – to the field of space science, and the Moroccan Kingdom’s initiatives in this field, namely the hosting of the African Regional Center for Space Science and Technology and the establishment of the Royal Centre for Remote Sensing.

Mr. Thomas Zelibor, Space Foundation CEO, explained that space science is critical to understanding climate change and natural hazards and their impacts, stressing that the initiatives of all actors, partners and institutions are key to advancing innovation and technology. Dr. Simonetta Di Pippo, Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, emphasized the importance of investing in space science to overcome challenges and improve the quality of life on earth, commending the initiatives of the international community in this field and underlining the necessity to support efforts to leverage space technology for human growth and prosperity.

For her part, Dr. Pascale Ehrenfreund, President of the International Astronautical Federation, stressed the need to benefit from space science in a world that is witnessing constant changes and transformations, noting the importance of cooperation in this endeavour through the promotion of innovation and student exchange between universities around the world to combat poverty and achieve development.

At the outset of the opening session, the first session of the Forum began with a speech by Mr. Salem Butti Salem Al Qubaisi, Director-General of UAE Space Agency, in which he pointed out that space science is a wide and ever-developing field that requires cooperation, that is why international strategic partnerships have become common practice for the UAE Space Agency.

Mr. Samaddin Asadov, Chairman of the Board of Azerbaijan Space Agency “Azercosmos,” provided an overview of the agency’s mission and scope of activities, noting that the Azerbaijanian space agency has been witnessing developments in space science and industry for 50 years.

In his address, Mr. Majed Alonazi, Chief Operating Officer at the Saudi Space Commission, stressed that the ICESCO Global Forum would pave the way for cooperation between the Islamic world countries in the field of space science, noting that Saudi Arabia seeks to raise awareness of space science, invest in related industries, and develop applications that contribute to achieving sustainable development.

The second session of the first day of the Forum touched upon the role of space agencies in building knowledge based on space applications and featured a roundtable on the importance of space science in reducing disaster risks, facing humanitarian crises, and eradicating poverty. The thought-provoking discussions encouraged participants to reflect upon ways to overcome the current challenges and build a better future for humanity through genuine cooperation in the field of space applications and related industries.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and Dr. Abdellatif Miraoui, Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation in the Kingdom of Morocco, discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between ICESCO and the Ministry in the fields of scientific research, exchange between universities, granting scholarships to students, and the creation of scientific chairs.

During the meeting, which took place on Friday, October 29, 2021 at the headquarters of the Ministry in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik congratulated Dr. Miraoui for the trust placed in him by His Majesty King Mohammed VI (may God assist him) and for his appointment as Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation, wishing him every success in his new mission.

ICESCO DG also reviewed the vision of the Organization, which attaches great importance to scientific research and innovation, and the importance of using the capabilities offered by modern technology and artificial intelligence applications to achieve sustainable development. He also presented the programme of establishing ICESCO scientific chairs in various fields in a number of universities around the world, including ICESCO chairs in Moroccan universities and in universities in Member States.

The meeting also discussed the possibility of organizing jointly the next session of the Conference of Higher Education and Scientific Research Ministers of ICESCO Member States.
For his part, Dr. Miraoui welcomed this meeting and expressed his support for reinforcing the fruitful cooperation with ICESCO, through the support of innovation and the promotion of student exchange between universities.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, ICESCO’s Deputy DG, and Mr. Mohammed Khalfaoui, Secretary General of the Ministry, and Mr. Anass Bennani, Director of Cooperation and Partnership at the said Ministry.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met Dr. Chakib Benmoussa, Moroccan Minister of National Education, Preschool and Sports, President of the Moroccan National Commission for Education, Science and Culture. The meeting examined the means of promoting cooperation between ICESCO and the Kingdom of Morocco in the Organization’s fields of action.

At the outset of the meeting, held on October 29, 2021, at the headquarters of the Ministry, in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik congratulated Dr. Benmoussa for earning the royal trust of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah assist him, and being appointed as the Minister of National Education, Preschool and Sports, wishing him every success in this major mission.

The meeting highlighted the main programs and projects implemented in cooperation between ICESCO and the Ministry, as part of the Organization’s new vision and strategy of action by identifying the respective priorities and needs of Member States, which constitute the core of these programs and projects.

ICESCO DG commended the key role of the Moroccan National Commission in developing an outstanding partnership between ICESCO and the Kingdom of Morocco in many fields. In this regard, the two parties reaffirmed their keenness to pursue joint action in the Organization’s areas of competence.

Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General of ICESCO, also participated in this meeting.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), Secretary-General of the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW), received Dr. Wail Benjelloun, Honorary President of the Mediterranean Universities Union (UNIMED). The meeting explored the prospects for cooperation between FUIW and UNIMED.

The meeting, held on Thursday, October 28, 2021, at ICESCO headquarters, in Rabat, touched upon the arrangements for the Conference on “Women in University Leadership: Reality, Challenges and Prospects” that ICESCO will hold, in January 2022, in cooperation with Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, UNIMED, based in Italy, and the FUIW.

At the close of the meeting, the two parties stressed the importance of building cooperation between the FUIW and UNIMED, particularly in the exchange program between universities, scholarships, academic chairs, and the development of scientific research.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) participated in the 24th World Conference of the World Future Studies Federation (WFSF), held by the Federation in partnership with Prince Muhammad Bin Fahd University in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where Dr. Kais Hammami, Director of ICESCO Strategic Foresight Center, took part in a discussion panel on MENA region, under the title “The Future of Higher Education and Tomorrow’s Skills: Discussing the Role of Higher Education in Reshaping Generations and Preparing Youth for the Digital Age.”

In his videoconference participation, today, October 28, 2021, Dr. Hammami divided his presentation into four parts. In the first part, he touched on a dynamic analysis of the history of foresight in the education sector, stressing that in order to correctly anticipate the future, it is imperative to think about the past. Foresight is a project for the future, and the transition from the past to a better future is integral to the activities of the present.

In the second part of his intervention, he dealt with a diagnosis of the current situation, as he indicated that the main trends that affect the present of education, such as artificial intelligence, demographic situation, and social problems, must be identified to assess the current changes and plan for the possible future in this field. In the third part, he talked about the diversity of future scenarios in education, as he stressed that many international organizations are currently working on developing forward-looking scenarios for the future of education, mainly the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

In the last part of his presentation, he pointed out the desired and potential scenario, stressing that ICESCO Strategic Foresight Center relies in its action on several best practices, which must be taken into account in re-imagining the future of education, especially in the digital age, to establish an educational system based on common knowledge to provide students with education basics in all fields of science and artificial intelligence.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Dr. Issa Saleh Al Hammadi, Director of the Arabic Language Education Center for the Gulf States, to discuss prospects for cooperation between the Organization and the Center in the service of the Arabic language. 

During this meeting, held on Thursday, October 28, 2021, at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik praised the distinguished publications of the Arabic Language Education Center for the Gulf States and the issues they address, commending the efforts of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council, Ruler of Sharjah and his contribution to this great achievement. The DG also reviewed ICESCO’s major programmes and activities in the field of teaching Arabic to non-Arabic speakers.

For his part, Dr. Al Hammadi reviewed the Center’s most outstanding achievements during the year 2021 and presented several of the Center’s publications to ICESCO.

At the close of the meeting, the two parties stressed the importance of sustained communication and fruitful cooperation between ICESCO and the Arabic Language Education Center for the Gulf States. 

The meeting brought together Dr. Abdelilah Benarfa, Deputy DG, Dr. Majdi Haji Ibrahim, Head of ICESCO Center of Arabic for Non-Arabic Speakers, and Mr. Adel Bouraoui, Advisor to the Director-General for ICESCO’s External Centers and University Chairs in the field of Arabic Language. 

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), called on countries, governments, organizations and specialized bodies to urgently modernize national education systems and legislations and develop plans to improve the innovative capacities of academic, technical and vocational education institutions by adopting a forward-looking vision to address future challenges and changes, and capitalizing on the artificial intelligence applications and the potential of space science.

This statement was part of Dr. AlMalik’s address, delivered today, October 28, 2021, via videoconference, during the 2nd Conference of Arab Ministers in Charge of Technical and Vocational Education and Training. The Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) held the event, in partnership with the Ministry of Vocational Training and Employment of Tunisia, under the theme “Technical and vocational education and training between societal culture and labor market requirements, challenges and stakes.”

Dr. AlMalik stressed that the urgent need to stand united in the face of common challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic explains the imperative aspect of the modernization of education systems to ensure the development of human capital, which is the indispensable strategic asset of our countries, pointing out to the importance of meeting the urgent needs and keeping up with societal changes to increase job opportunities, particularly among youth, and eliminate gender discrimination.

The DG also reviewed ICESCO’s various programs and initiatives aimed at improving the quality of performance of educational staff in the Member States, including the establishment of ICESCO Center of Strategic Foresight, the launch of Leadership Incubators Initiative to train young people in the fields of education, science and culture, ICESCO Leadership Training in Peace and Security for Women and Youth, and ICESCO Partnership Program with King Saud University to implement an integrated system of professional teaching certificates, and ICESCO cooperation with SESRIC and OIC in preparing the Strategic Roadmap in Technical and Vocational Education and Training for Muslim Countries (2020-2025).

At the close of his address, ICESCO Director-General stressed the Organization’s keenness to strengthen relations with ALECSO and the specialized organizations as well as ministries and the parties concerned in Member States to develop partnership and coordination in technical and vocational education and training as well as ICESCO’s other areas of competence.