Category: News update

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and Educators Without Borders in the Republic of Korea (EWB-Korea) signed on Wednesday, August 11, 2021, at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the fields of literacy, gender equality, and capacity-building. The MoU provides for promoting the field of education in the Islamic world through launching and implementing various programs and activities.

Dr. Koumbou Boly Barry, Head of ICESCO’s Sector of Education, and Mr. Ki-Seok Kim, President of EWB-Korea, signed the MoU, in the presence of several ICESCO’s heads of departments and experts.

In her address at the signing ceremony, Dr. Koumbou Boly Barry noted that the MoU aims to build teacher’s capacities and consolidating the embrace of ICT. The Head of the Education Sector also reaffirmed ICESCO’s support for the Islamic world countries in all fields pertaining to education, science and culture, adding that the Organization also works towards building women and young people’s capacities.

Mr. Ki-Seok Kim expressed his delight to sign such an MoU, stating that it will contribute to expertise exchange in the field of education as well as the development of literacy and capacity-building projects and programs targeting women and the youth.

The MoU provides for cooperation in sharing the good practices of the Republic of Korea in the field of education with the ICESCO Member States and the participation of ICESCO and EWB-Korea experts in joint meetings and training sessions. It also provides for promoting communication, improving women’s economic situation in the Islamic world, and developing projects targeting the achievement of sustainable development goals.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and King Abdulaziz Public Library in Saudi Arabia held a meeting to discuss the prospects for cooperation in the areas of translation, publishing, digitization, producing documentaries and digital publications, holding intellectual and cultural activities, and establishing scientific chairs.

The meeting, held on Wednesday, August 11, 2021, via videoconference, brought together Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), and Dr. Abdul Karim Al-Zaid, Deputy General-Supervisor of the Library, with the participation of several directors of ICESCO’s sectors, as well as Dr. Bandar Al-Mubarak, DG of the Library, Dr. Saeed Al-Saeed, Secretary-General of King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Translation, and Dr. Ibrahim Al-Balawi, Member of the Scientific Committee of King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Translation.

In his statement during the meeting, Dr. Al-Malik highly praised the efforts and great roles of the Saudi Ministry of Culture to preserve the cultural identity and consolidate the values ​​of dialogue and diversity through many ambitious programs and projects inside the Kingdom and in other fraternal and friendly countries through the Ministry’s cooperation and distinguished partnerships with international organizations concerned with cultural action and the preservation of tangible and intangible heritage.

ICESCO DG reaffirmed that King Abdulaziz Public Library is a pioneering and distinguished cultural, scientific and intellectual institution that provides high-level quality services inside and outside Saudi Arabia, stressing that ICESCO is keen to build a successful partnership with the library and other leading libraries in its Member States.

Dr. Abdul Karim Al-Zaid indicated that King Abdulaziz Public Library is looking forward to establishing fruitful cooperation with ICESCO in the areas of common interest, adding that partnership with the Organization is an important step towards major programs and projects in the intellectual and cultural fields.

At the close of the meeting, the two parties agreed to sign a cooperation agreement to implement integrated action programs, in coordination with the National Commission for Education, Culture and Science in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) is pleased to extend to all its Member States, as well as to all Muslim communities around the globe, its best wishes on the occasion of the new Hijri year 1443, beseeching Allah Almighty to make it a peaceful year full of achievements and progress in its fields of education, science and culture.

May Allah grant us success.

        The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Islamic Development Bank Group (IsDB) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation in implementing a set of programs and projects in countries of the Islamic World in the fields of education, science, technology and innovation, water, sanitation and hygiene services, and the legal field to strengthen regional cooperation through the transfer of expertise and knowledge exchange.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), and Dr. Bandar bin Mohammed Hamza Hajjar, IsDB President, signed the MoU, on Thursday, August 05, 2021, via videoconference, with the participation of the heads of sector, advisors and directors at ICESCO, as well as Dr. Hayat Sindi, Chief Advisor to the IsDB President on STI, and other IsDB officials.

In his statement at the signing ceremony, Dr. AlMalik expressed his happiness with this unprecedented strategic partnership between ICESCO and IsDB. He pointed out that the projects and programs included in the MoU constitute solid foundations for sustainable development and a real renaissance for Muslim countries. “Its implementation will contribute to sustainable development in the educational, scientific, cultural, humanitarian, social and legal fields,” he added.

Dr. AlMalik stressed that the MoU features great initiatives and innovative visions that would contribute to the achievement of ICESCO’s new vision, and constitute the start of an ambitious, long-term and wide-ranging strategic partnership, stressing that the Organization will ensure its full implementation, in coordination with the competent parties in the Member States and the beneficiaries of its programs and projects.

Dr. Bandar Hajjar stressed that the MoU aims to enhance fruitful cooperation between ICESCO and IsDB in the fields of technology, women rehabilitation, and capacity building, adding that cooperation projects and programs will have economic, social, and environmental impact on the ground.

The MoU provides for cooperation between ICESCO and IsDB in launching and implementing STI programs, most notably the Vocational and Technical Education and Training Program, which aims to ensure social and economic rehabilitation of women in Africa and build scientific and technological capabilities of Member States.

In the educational field, the Memorandum seeks to promote cooperation in building the capacity of teachers and rehabilitating their management and planning skills for educational systems resilience to meet challenges, enhance girls’ education and support education in conflict areas. In the field of water, sanitation and hygiene services, the two parties will cooperate in implementing projects aimed at improving Member States’ infrastructure, improving sanitation and hygiene services at schools, and facing water scarcity challenges.

In the legal field, cooperation will touch on publishing a guide on the ethics of artificial intelligence in the Islamic world to indicate the legal framework for the protection of personal data in the uses of artificial intelligence.

On Wednesday, August 4, 2021, the construction works of the model Primary School, affiliated to the Regional Educational Center of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), started in Chad. The project aims at promoting the Arabic language and Islamic culture, ensuring access to quality education for all, achieving gender equality, and supporting the Chadian educational system, which strives to adopt Arabic-French bilingualism.

The ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the 378 m² school, which includes six classrooms, brought together Dr. Ali Mohamed Qamar, Director of ICESCO Educational Center in Chad, several teachers at the Centre, Mr. Abdel Rahim Adam, Project Officer at Qatar Charity Office in Chad, and Mr. Ali Hassan, Director of the contracted construction company.

The Qatar Charity funds the two-month-long construction project. Qatar Charity also finances other projects for the benefit of ICESCO Educational Center in Chad, most notably the construction of an 80 m² mosque, and providing the Center’s headquarters with modern office and electronic equipment.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) officially announced the call for nomination for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Award for Environmental Management (KSAAEM), as of today, Monday (2 August 2021). The Organization oversees the General Secretariat for the Award, under the supervision of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture of Saudi Arabia, represented by the National Center for Environmental Compliance.

Nominations for KSAAEM 3rd edition (2021-2022) are open to applicants from within and outside the Islamic world up until the end of December 2021. The Award, with its various categories, aims to consolidate the broad concept of environmental management, increase interest in the concept of sustainable development and highlight outstanding global efforts and successful practices in the field. The Award also helps encourage international environmental joint action, raises environmental awareness, and prompts civil society to protect the environment for future generations.

The 3rd edition of the Award features four categories. The Jury will then select three winners for each category. The total value of the Award amounts to USD 195,000 which will be awarded to the winners of the first three categories:

1- Successful Research Works, Achievements and Practices;
2- Leading Practices and Activities of Public Benefit Associations and NGOs in the Member States;
3- Women’s Leading activities in environmental work, a category which was added in this edition in line with ICESCO’s proclamation of 2021 as the Year of Women. Three awards will be dedicated to women in the main areas of environmental management, namely:

• Women Award for Successful Research Works, Achievements and Practices;
• Women Award for Leading Practices and Activities of Public Benefit Associations and NGOs;
• Women Award for Leadership in Private and Public Sectors.

Concerning the fourth category of the Award (Environmentally Friendly and Green Cities category), the best three environmentally friendly cities in the Islamic world will receive an honorary award as stated on the Guidance Document on Green Cities and their Role in Achieving Sustainable Development, which was adopted by the Seventh Conference of Environment Ministers in the Islamic World and as part of ICESCO Programme for “The Celebration of Islamic Capitals of the Environment and Sustainable Development.”

The opening session of the 9th Conference of Environment Ministers in the Islamic World, due to be held in Jeddah in 2022, will feature the KSAAEM award ceremony.

To apply or for more information on the Award, its categories and application requirements, please visit the Award’s website (www.ksaaem.org). Applicants will then be redirected to the online application platform.
For further information, please contact ICESCO Submission Reception Division at info@kasaaem.org // superchair@ksaaem.org

The Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World, which reports to the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), took part in the Second Extraordinary Meeting of the Council of Islamic University in Uganda. The Meeting was held both face-to-face at the University’s headquarters in Kampala and via videoconference, today 29 July 2021. Dr.  Faisal Abdul-Aziz Al-Zamel, Council President, chaired the Meeting, which brought together Ambassador Dr. Askar Mussinov, OIC Assistant Secretary-General for Science and Technology, representing the OIC Secretary-General; and Mr. Isaac Sebulime, Ambassador of the Republic of Uganda in Riyadh, in addition to representatives of several organizations and institutions members in the Council. 

Dr. Omar Halli, FUIW Advisor to the ICESCO Director-General (DG), represented ICESCO DG and FUIW Secretary-General, in the Meeting.

The Council Meeting adopted the Audit Report for the Academic Year 2019-2020 and the Report on the University’s Financial Situation as of July 2021. The Council also adopted reports of sector-specific committees on the various aspect of university management.

At the close of the meeting, the Council adopted the Draft New University Budget for 2021-2022.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization has announced the winners of the “ICESCO Virtual Prize for Calligraphy, Patterns and Miniatures,” which are divided into four different categories (classical calligraphy, lettering, patterns and miniatures).  The Organization also paid tribute to a female artist, as part of the celebration of ICESCO’s Year of Women 2021. The selection of the winner’s list was based upon the specialized jury’s assessment of the participating artworks in the contest.

Mr. Mustapha Flouh, from Morocco, won the Arabic calligraphy Prize (Classical) and Mr. Tayeb el Aidi, from Algeria, received the Arabic calligraphy Prize (Lettering). The Patterns Prize was awarded to Mr. Mohammed Yunis, from Afghanistan, while Mr. Naser Marhab from Yemen received the Miniatures Prize. Each winner will receive the USD 2500 contest prize and the winning works will be exhibited at ICESCO gallery.

Lebanese Calligrapher, Rania Baayoun, received an honorary award from the jury, after careful assessment of the works participating in the contest.

The jury had held a series of meetings and discussions to select the winning works among wide participation spanning artists from almost all the ICESCO Member States. Works that did not meet the criteria were eliminated. The jury included the following members: Mohammed Amzil, Moroccan Artist and Calligrapher; Omar al Jamny, Tunisian Designer and Calligrapher; Ali Dahya, Moroccan Artist and Calligrapher; Hachimi Amour, Algerian Calligrapher and Artist as well as jury coordinator Mohamed Maghraoui, Moroccan Arabic calligraphy Artist.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) launched the Prize as part of the Organization’s “Distance Culture Program” under the framework of “ICESCO’s Digital Home.” Through the Prize, ICESCO extended an invitation to all calligraphers and visual artists to showcase their talents in calligraphy and pattern design using virtual tools and techniques to promote talents and creativity in the field and ensure the sustainability of the intangible cultural heritage that all ICESCO Member States share.