The Education
Sector of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(ICESCO) and the Education and Training Evaluation Commission in Saudi Arabia
held on Tuesday, September 21, 2021, a virtual workshop on analyzing data and
drawing lessons from international assessments for students. The workshop dealt
with ways to build on conclusions of international assessments in matters
relating to educational policies.
The workshop,
which was supervised by two international experts with outstanding
contributions in the field, saw the participation of several researchers and
specialists in the field of international assessments.
The workshop
aimed to find answers to questions related to the experiences gained and
lessons learned from international assessments (PISA, PIRLS, TIMSS) over a
period of more than twenty years. It also provided insights on addressing the
gaps in those assessments based on other methods of research and data
collection, as well as providing trainees with direct experience in accessing,
understanding and analyzing international assessment data.
The Science
and Technology Sector of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (ICESCO) participated in the webinar “South-South
Cooperation: A Pathway to Post-pandemic Inclusive Recovery,” which was held by
the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the
South (COMSATS) at its headquarters in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad.
The webinar,
which was held via videoconference, on Tuesday, September 21, 2021, on the
occasion of the United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation, witnessed the
participation of several experts from various institutions and specialized
organizations, to discuss issues related to science, technology and innovation,
and examine the repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic on the countries of the
South.
ICESCO’s Science and Technology Sector was represented in the webinar by Dr. Mohammad Sharif, advisor at the sector, Dr. Foued El Ayni, Dr. Ismaila Diallo, and Dr. Abdul Rehman, experts at the Sector.
In his speech, Dr. Mohammad Sharif reviewed the action strategy of the Science and Technology Sector, which attaches great importance to investing in modern technology and artificial intelligence applications to contribute to achieving sustainable development and protecting the environment; and supports young people in the field of innovation.
The webinar
witnessed interventions by Dr. Akhtar Nazir, Executive Director of COMSATS, Dr.
Adel Abdellatif, Director of the United Nations Office for South-South
Cooperation, Dr. Carlos Correa, Executive Director of the South Center in
Geneva, and many representatives of international organizations and
institutions.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik,
Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (ICESCO), stressed the need for the 21st-century
university to keep up with change and cater to the needs of the ever-changing labor
market. He reaffirmed that such goals call for relying on critical thinking and
open science, endeavoring to train new capacities and professors in both
academia and scientific research; providing them with the skills to keep up
with the change; and monitoring training and scientific research in their
relation to the jobs of the future.
The DG made this statement in a pre-recorded
address to the First Regional Forum for Open Science in the Arab Region, hosted
by Galala University in Galala, Egypt. The Ministry of Higher Education and
Scientific Research in the Arab Republic of Egypt organized the event, in
cooperation with the Egyptian National Commission for Education, Science and
Culture, UNESCO Regional Office for Arab Countries in Cairo, and Galala
University. The opening session of the Forum, which kicked off today, Tuesday, September
21, 2021, saw the screening of the pre-recorded address of Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar,
Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, President of the Egyptian
National Commission.
In his address, Dr. AlMalik hailed
the role assumed by Galala University, a new generation university that strives
to ensure good education in line with the current major trends in the field of
higher education. He noted that it is high time to bring about the desired
change in higher education and scientific research as today’s youth possesses
different sets of skills and aspirations regarding information, and have
different approaches to dealing with the learning tools. He added that the
traditional pre-set model of specialty and field of knowledge fades away before
changes witnessed in the universities of the 21st century.
In the course of his address, the DG
posed two questions: How can we rethink the mission of research professors who face
challenges that require re-setting their missions and roles? And how can we
build students’ capacities in the universities of the 21st century
through open science and open-source resources? The answer to these two
questions, he noted, leads us to keep up with the changes pertaining to the
jobs of the future and the ever-changing roles of universities, scientific
research and innovation.
At the close of his address, Dr.
AlMalik reaffirmed that ICESCO, in light of its forward-looking vision, has
made serious strides towards highlighting this major trend through holding international
conferences and symposia, most notably, the seminar on “Skills and Jobs of
Tomorrow”, held in April 2021, in addition to numerous events on AI application
mechanisms.
The Forum saw high-caliber
participation including several presidents of Egyptian universities,
international experts and academicians in the field of open science, in
addition to Dr. Ghada Abdel Bari, Secretary-General of the Egyptian National
Commission for Education, Science and Culture. ICESCO also participated in the
face-to-face proceedings of the Forum with a delegation comprised of Dr. Raheel
Qamar, Head of the Sector of Science and Technology, and Dr. Omar Halli,
Advisor to the DG for the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World.
The Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, received the delegation of the State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ASAN), with whom he examined the ongoing successful cooperation between the State Agency and ICESCO in relevant areas.
During the meeting, held at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, the two parties discussed the acceleration of smart services in creative industries, which has become an interesting strategic sector to boost competitiveness, productivity, employment, and sustainable economic growth.
The meeting also touched upon creative industries, which are increasingly being utilized to promote social innovation, cultural diversity, as well as a main pillar of the 4th industrial revolution.
ASAN’s delegation gave a detailed presentation on the wide range of services and projects provided by the State Agency.
The
Science and Technology Sector of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization (ICESCO) has launched the second edition of a youth
training program on setting up and developing start-ups in the field of
technology and innovation in the Republic of Kazakhstan. This edition is
implemented by ICESCO in partnership with the Ministry of Culture of the
Republic of Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijani National Commission for Education,
Science and Culture, the “MOST” Business Incubator, and the “New Space
Innovation” foundation. The first edition was launched last week
in the Republic of Azerbaijan.
The
program, which benefits ten ICESCO Member States, includes a two-day training
camp and intensive coursework lasting between four to six weeks to put into
practice the training received by the participants to start up their projects.
At the
start of the second edition, which kicked off today, Monday, 20 September 2021,
via videoconference, Dr. Muhammad Sharif, Advisor at ICESCO Science and
Technology Sector, explained that the program aims at enhancing the skills of
young people in the Islamic world, through the development of pioneering and
innovative youth businesses in the field of technology, and promoting
investment in human capital in science and entrepreneurship. He noted the great
success of the first edition of the program in Baku, Azerbaijan, during the
past week.
For his
part, Mr. Alim Khamitov, CEO of the “MOST” Business Incubator,
stressed the importance of ICESCO’s training program in creating a work
environment that encourages the youth of the Islamic World to be creative and
innovative, hone their talents and enhance their ambitions.
In his
speech, Mr. Ramil Abbakirov from the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of
Azerbaijan commended ICESCO’s initiative, praising the role of youth in
creating and leading positive change in the world.
The
program aims to support the creative economy in the Islamic World, promote
technology startups, and launch more than 150 companies by the end of 2025.
Under this program, a special jury will select the best three teams from each
country to participate in the final stage, present their project ideas to several
donors and investors, and obtain the necessary funding for their
implementation.
Dr.
Abdelilah Benarfa, Deputy Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), is participating in
the 21st Session of Sharjah International Narrator Forum that
Sharjah Institute for Heritage holds under the slogan “Animal Stories”, under the
patronage and with the participation of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin
Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council, Ruler of Sharjah, on
September 22-30, 2021, to honor storytellers and bearers of oral heritage.
ICESCO
Deputy DG will present a paper at the opening session of the forum on
“Institutional efforts to protect living human treasures.”
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countries and many international organizations, cultural centers, universities
and heritage institutes are taking part in the forum, which includes a variety
of workshops on traditional doll-making, storyteller, decorating pens and pencils,
folding paper into animal shapes with wool threads, plaster coloring,
recycling, drawing animals with numbers, drawing with colors, pencils, and
charcoal.
The
Forum’s program features various lectures, seminars, discussions and a cultural
café, which will tackle the art of miniatures in the Islamic civilization,
animal tongues in the Arabic novel, animals in the narratives of ancient Egypt,
and animal stories in the Arab and world heritage.
Sudan will
be the guest of honor of the forum, which will honor some figures. Thirty works
on animal folk tales and stories related will be published, and a special
exhibition will be organized on animal stories in the Emirati, Arab and world
heritage.
The
headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (ICESCO) hosts the two-day meeting of ICESCO’s Financial Control
Committee (FCC), which kicked off on Monday, September 20, 2021, to examine the
Organization’s financial report and closing accounts for the year 2020, the FCC
Draft Rules of Procedure and the report of the auditing company for the year
2020.
Mr. Yussuf
Ali Al-Najar, representative of the State of Kuwait, FCC Chairman, chaired the
meeting, which brought Mr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Alabdulkarim, representative
of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, FCC Rapporteur, and Mr. El Hadji Habib Kébé,
representative of the Republic of Senegal, member of the Committee. Mr. Araz Baghirli,
representative of the Republic of Azerbaijan, joined the meeting via videoconference
along with the representative of Malaysia, as they could not travel to the
Kingdom of Morocco due to the repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic.
At the
beginning of the meeting, Dr. Salim AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG),
delivered a speech wherein he welcomed the FCC members, stressing that the Organization’s
General Directorate adopts transparency and credibility while reviewing the
measures taken about the financial matters and the Organization’s accounting system.
He noted
that ICESCO, despite the circumstances of the Covid-19 pandemic, has sustained
its programs in many Member States, launched several initiatives, organized a
series of competitions, held forums with high-level attendance of scientists and
distinguished international figures, and signed agreements that contribute to
the development of the Organization’s action.
ICESCO DG
concluded his speech by wishing success to the members of the Committee, before
leaving the floor to the Committee to continue its meeting with the officials
concerned at ICESCO.
For his part, the FCC Chairman highlighted that
the Committee has been in constant contact with ICESCO officials, noting that
the Committee will ascertain the integrity of the financial statements to enable
the Organization to fully discharge its mission.
In his turn,
the FCC Rapporteur noted the short duration of the meeting, calling for the
automation of the financial and administrative services and the development of
the internal control mechanisms of the Organization.
Afterward,
the Committee reviewed the financial report for the year 2020 and follow-up to the
implementation of FCC’s recommendations for the past year. The Committee also examined
some points included in the financial report.
The
Committee meeting included a presentation on ICESCO’s implemented projects and
programs, and signed partnerships, which enabled the Organization to diversify the
funding sources and carry out programs that generate positive feedback from the
Member States. The meeting also addressed the means and steps that were adopted
to collect the arrears of the Member States’ contributions.
The Committee
concluded its first day by examining and approving the FCC’s draft rules of
procedure, which defines the tasks, competencies and structure of the Committee,
and submitting the proposed amendments. On the second day, the Committee will examine
and discuss the report of the auditing company for the year 2020, in the
presence of the company’s representative, and draft its final report.
The
Science and Technology Sector at the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Organizing Committee of the 9th
World Water Forum held a meeting to discuss and evaluate the action plan and
preparations for organizing the forum, due to be held in the Senegalese capital
Dakar, in March 2022. The meeting explored the activities of the forum and the
mechanisms of communication, promotion and mobilization in the countries of the
Islamic World within the framework of the partnership between ICESCO, the Committee,
and the Ministry of Water and Sanitation in Senegal.
During the
videoconference meeting, held on Thursday, September 16, 2021, Dr. Raheel
Qamar, Head of ICESCO Science and Technology Sector, reaffirmed the Organization’s
keenness on the success of the Forum, and its efforts to mobilize the countries
of the Islamic World to participate in the Forum activities, especially the young
people. He also highlighted the
necessity to build their capacities in using modern science and technology in water
resources management, to achieve food security, and accomplish the Sustainable Development
Goals related to water in the Islamic World and African countries.
He
reviewed ICESCO’s role in promoting initiatives aimed at improving ecosystems
and smart agriculture, in addition to the Organization’s program to improve
water and sanitation services in 1,000 rural schools in several countries in
the Islamic World, including Senegal.
Mr.
Abdallah Seni, the Executive Secretary of the 9th World Water Forum,
commended the cooperation with ICESCO to organize the Forum and confirmed the preparations
progress in terms of mobilizing partners and reaffirming the participation of
more than 1,000 institutions from all over the world. He also expressed his
aspiration to encourage the outstanding presence of the Islamic countries in
the 9th World Water Forum and to enhance the participation of young
people, in particular, to benefit from its activities.
The
meeting was also attended by Dr. Foued El-Ayni and Dr. Ismaila Diallo, two
experts in ICESCO’s Science and Technology Sector, and Dr. Mohamed Diatta,
responsible for the Scientific Sector of the 9th World Water Forum and
other members of the Organizing Committee.
The
Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) congratulates
the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on “The Human Capacity Development Program”
that His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Crown
Prince, Deputy Prime Minister, launched. The promising program includes an
action strategy that hinges upon basic pillars consisting in developing a solid
and flexible educational system for all, providing lifelong learning
opportunities, and meeting the future labor market requirements at the national
and international levels.
ICESCO
commends the forward-looking vision of the ambitious program and hails the wise
Saudi leadership and people for this national strategy that aims at enhancing
the local and global competitiveness of citizens by seizing the promising
opportunities of the renewed and growing needs.
The
program has an ambitious action plan, which includes the launch of 89
initiatives to meet the needs and aspirations of all segments of society by
developing human capabilities to provide citizens with the necessary skills and
knowledge to keep up with the various changes in the business world. In this
regard, ICESCO reaffirms its willingness to cooperate with the parties in
charge of the program to share its successes with the other Member States.
ICESCO
reiterates its keenness to cooperate with Member States’ forward-looking
initiatives to build the capacities of young people and share their successes with
other countries.
The
Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO)
participated in the “International Cultural Forum: Central Asia at the
Crossroads of Civilizations”, which was held in Khiva, Uzbekistan, on
September 14-15, 2021, under the patronage of His Excellency the President Shavkat
Mirziyoyev. The Forum aims at exploring and promoting culture and the common heritage
in Central Asia and consolidate their important role in shaping civilizations
in the region and beyond.
Dr. Salim
M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of ICESCO, took part in the closing session
through a video speech, on Wednesday, September 15, 2021. Mr. Ozodbek
Nazarbekov, Minister of Culture of Uzbekistan, moderated the closing session,
which also brought together Assistant DG for the Social and Human Sciences of
UNESCO, ICCROM DG, the Minister of Culture of Azerbaijan, and the Minister of
Culture of Turkey.
In his speech,
ICESCO DG noted the prominent role that the Central Asian region played in
human civilization throughout history. “It was the cradle of many sciences and
arts thanks to its scholars and thinkers, who influenced the ancient and modern
human civilization,” he added.
Dr.
AlMalik highlighted ICESCO’s great interest in investing in the opportunities
of the applications of artificial intelligence and space sciences and
supporting the Member States to keep pace with modern technology. He explained
that the Organization has established an artificial intelligence unit at ICESCO
Heritage Center, which undertakes the tasks of preserving heritage in the
Islamic World. He also called on the ICESCO Member States to submit files to
register their historical sites and cultural elements on the lists of heritage
in the Islamic world, which now includes 326 sites and heritage elements.
ICESCO DG announced
the Organization’s initiative to conduct an extensive study on the impact of
climate change on several sectors, including heritage, with proposals for fully
feasible solutions, to reduce the risks of this phenomenon.
At the close
of his speech, Dr. AlMalik called for developing the existing cooperation
between ICESCO, Uzbekistan, and all the countries of the region in the Organization’s
areas of competence.
Dr. Osama
Al-Nahas and Mr. Bilel Chebbi, experts at Culture and Communication Sector,
represented ICESCO at this forum, which saw the high-level participation of
representatives of many international organizations, in addition to experts and
specialists in the fields of culture, heritage, science, and the arts.
