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    Category: News update

    News

    Remarkable participation of ICESCO delegation at GAIN Summit in Riyadh

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL 
      A high-level delegation from the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) is taking part in the Third Global Artificial Intelligence Summit, organized by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), under the patronage of HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Prime Minister and Chairman of the Board of Directors of SDAIA.

    Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, ICESCO Director -General, and his accompanying delegation attended the opening ceremony of the three-day Summit, which kicked off on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at the King Abdulaziz International Convention Center in Riyadh.


    The opening session brought together a host of princes, ministers, senior international officials, thought leaders, heads of major technology and artificial intelligence companies from around the world, and ambassadors accredited to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Summit was also attended by a group of experts and economic policy makers active in the field of artificial intelligence from 100 countries, speaking in more than 150 sessions and workshops.


    Dr. Abdullah bin Sharaf Alghamdi, SDAIA President, delivered opening remarks, while Abdullah Alswaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, spoke at the first session of the Summit.


    On Wednesday, Dr. Al Malik will announce the launch of the “Riyadh Charter for Artificial Intelligence for the Islamic World”, which culminates the outstanding partnership between ICESCO and SDAIA and embodies the commitment of the two organizations to contribute to developing a comprehensive framework for the use of AI technologies that is based on the values and principles of the Islamic world and contributes to achieving sustainable development.


    Moreover, ICESCO organized, on the first day of the Summit proceedings, a working session titled, “Strategic AI Governance: Between Legislation and Ethics”. The working session saw the participation of Mr. Richard Sterling, CEO of Oxford Insights; Dr. Said Jaboob, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Postgraduate Studies, Research and Innovation at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences in the Sultanate of Oman; and Dr. Immanuel Goffi, Professor of AI Ethics at the École d’ingénieurs du numérique (School of Digital Engineering) in Paris.


    Dr. Kais Hammami, Head of ICESCO’s Center for Foresight and Artificial Intelligence, moderated the session, stressing the pivotal role of foresight in anticipating future challenges to strategic AI governance. Dr. Kais also stated that foresight guarantees the integration on long-term approaches to ensure responsible and ethical adoption of AI.
    In his statement, Mr. Mohamed Hedi Shili, Head of the Department of Legal Affairs and International Standards, highlighted the key principles of the Riyadh Charter for Artificial Intelligence in the Islamic World, highlighting the importance of balancing the universality of international norms with the distinctive values of the countries of the Islamic world.

    One hundred scholarships in Egyptian universities for ICESCO Member States students

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the Arab Republic of Egypt are pleased to announce the provision of 100 full scholarships in Egyptian universities to students from the Islamic countries, as part of the activities of ICESCO Year of Youth Program held under the patronage of His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

    These scholarships are announced in implementation of the generous initiative by President El-Sisi to offer 100 scholarships to young people from the Islamic world in Egyptian universities affiliated with the Ministry of Higher Education to enhance the distinguished partnership between ICESCO and Egypt in the field of higher education and scientific research, and to support excellent young people from the Islamic world, and provide them with opportunities to hone their talents and develop their skills and creative and innovative capacities.

    To benefit from these scholarships and see the list of available colleges and programs, students wishing to study in Egypt are advised to consult the link: https://admission.study-in-egypt.gov.eg . When submitting applications, the expression (100_Icesco) must be put next to the applicant’s name in the nomination form.

    For further inquiries, please contact ICESCO via this email: 100scholarshipsinegypt@icesco.org

    ICESCO Launches Initiative to Preserve and Restore Timbuktu’s Historical Manuscripts in Mali

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Dr. Bouréma Kansaye, Mali’s Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, to discuss the details of ICESCO’s initiative to preserve, enhance, and restore Timbuktu’s historical manuscripts, which encompass tens of thousands of documents of significant international importance.

    At the beginning of the Meeting, which took place on Friday 6 September 2024, at the Cadi Ayyad University Conference Center in the Kingdom of Morocco, alongside the international symposium dubbed: “Ahmad Baba Al Timbukti: A Model of Civilizational Diplomacy in West Africa,” Dr. AlMalik expressed his gratitude to Dr. Kansaye for attending the symposium and delivering an opening speech. He emphasized ICESCO’s commitment to collaborating with Mali, particularly in the field of manuscript preservation, given the vast number of documents housed in Timbuktu’s libraries, and mentioned the Organization’s plan to establish a specialized center dedicated to scripts and manuscripts.

    Dr. AlMalik further highlighted that the ICESCO initiative will restore Timbuktu’s manuscripts to their original state and ensure they are properly cared for, considering their status as a heritage of human and Islamic written knowledge. He mentioned that the initiative would be implemented as soon as all financial aspects were settled, in coordination with relevant authorities in Mali.

    For his part, the Malian minister praised ICESCO’s initiative, describing it as a pioneering project, and thanked the Organization for its efforts in preserving and valuing the Timbuktu manuscripts.

    The Meeting also addressed several logistical and organizational aspects of the initiative, with an agreement to ensure its successful implementation.

    ICESCO Invites Researchers to Submit Scientific Papers on the Jobs of Tomorrow in Africa

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) is inviting researchers, specialists, and postgraduate students to participate in the International Conference on “Skills and Jobs of Tomorrow in Africa,” organized in partnership with HEM Business School in the Kingdom of Morocco. Participants are encouraged to submit scientific papers, which will be evaluated by a special jury. The selected papers will be presented during the conference scheduled to take place from 10 to 12 December 2024, in Tangier, Morocco.

    The papers to be submitted should focus on one of the Conference’s themes, which include the evolving landscape of skills and jobs in Africa, and the key factors influencing its future. Special emphasis should be placed on the role of education, culture, youth, gender equality, industrial development, digital transformations, and the opportunities presented by artificial intelligence. The aim is to contribute to preparing the continent for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

    Those interested in participating must submit their draft papers in PDF format via the online submission portal: https://bit.ly/4fakYqU, following the guidelines provided in the concept note, and adhering to the following conditions:

    ● The research paper must be original, comply with scientific research standards, and align with the conference themes, which are detailed in the concept note.
    ● The jury welcomes case studies, doctoral proposals, and empirical studies that present innovative ideas aimed at enhancing workforce development, improving education, and strengthening economic strategies across Africa.
    ● Research papers should be written in one of the following languages: Arabic, English, or French.
    ● The deadline for submitting draft papers is 5 October 2024 (no more than 5 pages).
    ● Results will be announced on 31 October 2024.
    ● The full paper must be submitted by 20 November 2024 (with a maximum of 15 pages, including references and appendices).

    All submitted papers will undergo a thorough evaluation by a panel of experts to ensure their scientific quality and originality. Authors of the accepted papers will be invited to present their research at the Conference. The Conference papers will receive extensive academic exposure, including publication in a peer-reviewed journal, and will also be featured in a special edition documenting the conference proceedings.
     
    For inquiries, please contact:
    ICESCO: Strategy@icesco.org
    Institute of Higher Management Studies: hemresearchcenter@lcieducation.com

    On International Literacy Day, ICESCO calls for Eradication of the Causes of illiteracy for a Better Educational Future

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) seizes the opportunity of the International Literacy Day, observed every 8th September, and celebrated this year under the theme: “Promoting Multilingual Education: Literacy for Mutual Understanding and Peace”, to call for intensifying efforts to promote literacy, improve its quality and maximize its benefits to promote mutual understanding and peace. ICESCO also stresses the need to adopt preventive and proactive methods to eradicate the causes of illiteracy instead of merely adopting treatment approaches to address this phenomenon.

    Believing in the importance of supporting literacy, inclusive and equitable education for all, ICESCO focuses, as part of its mission and strategic vision, on education as a human right, by disseminating awareness of the need to combat illiteracy and focusing on marginalized and poorest categories, especially girls and women. It also highlights the need to mobilize sufficient financial resources and increase investments allocated to this field, in addition to providing more high quality open and free educational resources.

    Recognizing the role of education in promoting human development, ICESCO has made supporting literacy programs in its Member States a top priority. As the progress achieved in this field is not sufficient, attaining this goal requires greater efforts and international cooperation in a global context marked by the existence of 765 million illiterate youth and adults, two-thirds of whom are girls and women, in addition to the prevalence of disparities in access to literacy programs and the weak participation of the poor and most needy and deprived groups.

    In our fast-paced world, where technology is increasingly important and cultures are diverse, it is more important than ever to equip individuals with a multilingual, mother-tongue-based educational approach. This approach plays a pivotal role in enhancing literacy skills, encouraging mutual understanding and respect for cultural diversity, supporting efforts aimed at building more just and peaceful societies and providing individuals with broad prospects for continuous learning.

    High-Level Attendance at ICESCO’s International Symposium in Marrakech: “Ahmad Baba Al Timbukti: A Model of Civilizational Diplomacy in West Africa”

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held the international symposium titled “Ahmad Baba Al Timbukti: A Model of Civilizational Diplomacy in West Africa” today, Friday 6 September 2024, in partnership with Cadi Ayyad University in Marrakech, Morocco. The Event was attended by high-ranking officials, including ministers, senior officials, researchers, and university professors. The aim was to highlight the contributions of African scholars to the promotion of Islamic culture and to the renewal of its civilizational foundations. The Symposium particularly focused on the significant role played by the scholar Ahmad Baba Al Timbukti in this context.

    The Symposium, hosted at the Cadi Ayyad University Conference Center in Marrakech, was part of the city’s celebration as the 2024 Culture Capital in the Islamic world. The opening session began with a recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, followed by an introductory speech by Ambassador Khalid Fathalrahman, Director of ICESCO’s Center for Civilizational Dialogue. He emphasized the importance of the Symposium’s theme and the deep historical connection between great cities and their renowned figures, noting that Ahmad Baba Al Timbukti epitomizes this unshakeable bond.

    During his opening remarks, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of ICESCO, pointed out that the transformations happening across the world are necessary for creating a more just and peaceful global society. He highlighted the historical legacy of the African continent, symbolized by figures like Ahmad Baba Al Timbukti, as evidence of Africa’s reawakening.

    Dr. AlMalik praised Ahmad Baba as a model of civilizational communication, noting how the city of Timbuktu in Mali embraced him and how Marrakech was the birthplace of many of his intellectual and literary works. This, he stated, confirms the Red City’s position at the forefront of creative fields associated with civilizational action characterized by tolerance; which ICESCO has innovatively termed “civilizational diplomacy.” He also announced the upcoming launch of the first academic chair on civilizational diplomacy at Cadi Ayyad University.

    In his speech, Dr. Abdellatif Miraoui, the Moroccan Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation, emphasized Morocco’s long-standing tradition of being a haven for distinguished African scholars. He added that the Ministry is especially committed to strengthening scientific collaboration with African nations, with more than 25,000 African students currently enrolled in Moroccan universities.

    Professor Bouréma Kansaye, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the Republic of Mali, underlined that Ahmad Baba is a significant figure in Mali’s scientific and cultural history. He played a key role in enriching both Malian and Moroccan intellectual heritage.

    Mohamed Fadel, President of the Local Council of Scholars of Marrakech-Safi region, spoke of Ahmad Baba’s esteemed status, emphasizing that the body of his work remains an essential scientific reference. Dr. Blaïd Bougadir, President of Cadi Ayyad University, reiterated the university’s commitment to fostering scientific cooperation between Morocco and African nations.

    The opening session concluded with remarks by Dr. Ahmed Toufiq, Morocco’s Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs. He highlighted Ahmad Baba’s scholarly journey, which spanned Timbuktu, Marrakech, the Sahel, and the African Sahara, and discussed the biographies written about his life. Dr. Toufiq also mentioned his ministry’s efforts to preserve Ahmad Baba’s legacy in Marrakech.

    Following that, the first session of the symposium began, focusing on the Moroccan influence in the intellectual formation of Ahmad Al Timbukti. This was followed by the second session, which discussed civilizational communication between Moroccans and Sub-Saharan Africa. The third session, titled “Cultural and Social Communication between North and Sub-Saharan Africa,” then took place.

    ICESCO and Brazil Explore Ways to Promote Cooperation in Education, Science and Culture

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Mr. Alexandre Guido Lopes Parola, Ambassador of the Federative Republic of Brazil to the Kingdom of Morocco, to discuss ways to enhance cooperation between the two sides in the fields of education, science and culture, in light of Brazil’s recent accession to ICESCO as an observer state.

    During the meeting, held on Wednesday 4 September 2024, at the Brazilian Embassy in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik expressed his satisfaction with the recent positive developments in the relationship between ICESCO and Brazil, particularly Brazil’s accession to the Organization as an observer state, noting that this would elevate the relationship between the Islamic world and Brazil to new heights within areas of ICESCO’s expertise. He also commended the insightful vision of H.E Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of Brazil, and his openness to cooperation initiatives and international partnerships.

    Dr. AlMalik affirmed the Organization’s commitment to enhancing cooperation with Brazil through the implementation of several joint programs and projects in education for the benefit of the African region, as well as in the cultural and heritage sectors, to leverage Brazil’s outstanding experience and expertise in these areas.

    For his part, Amb. Parola commended ICESCO’s role in developing the fields of education, science and culture in its Member States, reaffirming Brazil’s keenness to strengthen cooperation with the Organization.

    The meeting also discussed prospects for cooperation in the areas of youth and sports, given their role in fostering closeness between cultures and peoples, as well as in the fields of food security, smart agriculture, and renewable energy. The preparations for the anticipated visit of the Director-General of ICESCO to Brazil were also reviewed.

    The meeting was attended by Dr. Ahmed Said Bah, Advisor to ICESCO’s General Directorate; Dr. Koumbou Boly Barry, Advisor to the Director-General; and Ms. Manuela Nicoletti, Expert at the Culture and Communication Sector.

    ICESCO Director-General Receives Ambassador of Sudan to Rabat

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Amb. Mawadda Omar Haj Al-Toam, Ambassador of the Republic of the Sudan to the Kingdom of Morocco, and together they explored ways to promote cooperation between ICESCO and the Sudan in the fields of culture and education, particularly in the states affected by the floods that have recently struck the country.

    At the beginning of the meeting, held on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at ICESCO headquarters, the Director-General conveyed the Organization’s full solidarity with the Sudanese people in facing the devastating impact of the floods, beseeching Allah Almighty to rest the victims’ souls, and for the prompt recovery of the injured and the safe return of the missing.

    Moreover, the Director-General expressed the Organization’s readiness to provide all forms of support to the competent Sudanese parties and contribute to the restoration and rebuilding of a number of educational institutions hit by the floods, noting that the Organization is looking forward to take stock of the country’s needs and priorities in this regard.

    For her part, the Sudanese Ambassador commended the key roles ICESCO assumes in support of its Member States, reaffirming her country’s keenness to sustain its cooperation relations with the Organization.

    The meeting touched on cooperation projects proposed by the two parties, focusing on the restoration of landmarks and support for the Education Sector in the Sudan. The two parties agreed on the importance of abiding by a set timeline for these programs’ implementation to ensure optimal benefit for the groups affected.

    Amb. Khalid Fathalrahman, Head of ICESCO’s Center for Civilizational Dialogue attended the meeting.

    ICESCO launches its poetry contest “Cities of Poems” to celebrate the capitals of culture in the Islamic world

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) announces the launch of its annual poetry award “Cities of Poems” as part of its Capitals of Culture in the Islamic World programme, which celebrates this year three cities: Marrakesh in the Kingdom of Morocco, Benghazi in the State of Libya, and Shusha in the Republic of Azerbaijan.

    The contest aims to revive and boost the relationship between poetry and the location, an ancient relationship that has inspired many poets to compose a collection of immortal poems in the field of Arabic and human poetry. It also aims to document poetically and aesthetically the history and geography of cities, and to honor the symbols and civilizations which mark the capitals of culture in the Islamic world through poetry, and to enrich the poetic corpus in the Islamic world and contribute to the literary and poetic movement.

    The poems participating in the contest will be evaluated by a specialized committee from ICESCO and prominent poets, to select three winners from each city celebrated as the Capital of Culture in the Islamic World. The first-place winner will receive US$2000, the second-place winner will receive US$1500, and the third-place winner will receive US$1000, in addition to being awarded certificates of appreciation. ICESCO will publish a collection of the winning and distinguished poems participating in the contest.

    Nomination for the award requires fulfilling the following conditions:
    • The poem must be in classical Arabic or Azerbaijani language.
    • The Arabic poem must adhere to the poetic meter, free or rhymed, and the poem written in the Azerbaijani language must adhere to the meter, enunciative or prosodic.
    • The poem must be inspired by the values, aesthetics, history, geography, genius of the location and biography of the city that makes the subject of the poem.
    • The poem must not exceed thirty verses/lines of poetry.

    ICESCO invites all poets of all ages to participate in the contest through sending their proposals through the following link: https://icesco.org/9k90 , no later than 31 December 2024.

    ICESCO Concludes Workshop on the Islamic World AI Charter for Africa and Latin America in Rabat

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    On Friday, August 30, 2024, ICESCO concluded its regional workshop on the Islamic World AI Charter for Africa and Latin America, held at the headquarters of Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Morocco. This two-day event was part of the preparations for the Islamic World AI Charter, the Organization is currently developing. It was attended by a distinguished officials, experts, and representatives from ICESCO’s Member States.



    During the opening session, Dr. Kais Hammami, Head of ICESCO’s Foresight and Artificial Intelligence Centre, highlighted the significant impacts of AI on the future of humanity. He emphasized the importance of the Islamic World AI Charter as a cornerstone for ICESCO’s commitment to a forward-looking and ethical approach in this evolving field.

    Mr. Mohamed Hedi Shili, Head of the Legal Affairs and International Standards Department at ICESCO, presented the indicators used to measure countries’ readiness for AI in the Arab region, Asia, and Latin America, including “governance and ethics.” He explained that differences in readiness among countries drive ICESCO to focus more on exchanging expertise and pioneering experiences among its Member States.

    Dr. Abdulrahman Habib, Deputy Chief Strategy Officer at the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA), discussed the leading role of the Authority in managing initiatives related to data and AI. He pointed out AI’s transformative potential in advancing education, culture, and science. On his part, Mr. Anouar Sabri, Head of the Interim Thematic Working Group on AI in the Moroccan House of Representatives, presented Morocco’s experience in AI governance. Both speakers underscored the Charter’s crucial role in shaping a future where AI is a positive force in the Islamic world.

    The Workshop’s sessions produced practical recommendations aimed at establishing a guiding framework for strategic governance and the ethical dimensions of AI deployment in Islamic countries. The discussions addressed the unique challenges and opportunities presented by AI across various fields, including brainstorming sessions to develop the ethical principles and governance mechanisms necessary for refining the Charter.