Category: News update

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University (PMU) in Saudi Arabia, yesterday, May 3, 2021, signed a partnership agreement on scientific research and strategic foresight studies, and cooperation in implementing practical programmes and activities to promote technology and innovation in the countries of the Islamic world.

During the meeting, held through videoconference, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), and Dr. Issa Al-Ansari, PMU President, signed the agreement. The meeting also brought together several directors and officials at ICESCO and the University.

In his address at the signing ceremony, Dr. AlMalik expressed his happiness at the signing of the agreement, stressing that it will unite the efforts of ICESCO and PMU to strengthen their cooperation and partnership through practical projects and forward-looking studies such as “The Possible Futures of the Islamic World” study, “The Future imagined by the Youth” project, “Population and demography at the horizon of 2050: Islamic Population Inside and Outside the Islamic World” study, “The impact of Covid-19 on Hajj and Umrah study,” “the Futures of Education” study.

Dr. AlMalik added that ICESCO, through the Center for Strategic Foresight and the Science and Technology Sector, will collaborate with PMU to conduct studies and implement programmes and projects for the benefit of the Islamic world.

For his part, Dr. Al-Ansari stressed that the agreement addresses important areas for cooperation between the University and ICESCO, noting that the partnership agreement should not only target countries of the Islamic World but should benefit the whole world in its entirety.

He added that ICESCO and PMU complement one another in the field of foresight and Artificial Intelligence, highlighting that the University prepares its young graduates to meet the requirements of both the local and international job markets.

It is noteworthy to mention that the agreement between ICESCO and PMU provides for cooperation in developing specialized programmes and research activities, building the capacities of the staff of Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd Center for Futuristic Studies (PMFCFS) and ICESCO Center for Strategic Foresight, and seeking to give an international relevance for the achievements of the two centers in the field of forward-looking studies, Artificial Intelligence, youth, and entrepreneurship.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), yesterday, April 29, 2021, participated in the launch ceremony of the book “Ramadan Tastes” that the charitable Diplomatic Circle in Morocco published with ICESCO’s support. The book includes 56 recipes from 27 countries for delicious dishes that celebrate tolerance and generosity and value the cultural treasures of the Islamic world.

The ceremony that the charitable Diplomatic Circle organized at the headquarters of Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, in Rabat, saw the participation of Ms. Jamila Elmossalli, Minister of Solidarity, Social Development, Equality and Family of Morocco, along with several ambassadors and wives of ambassadors accredited to Morocco as well as the wives of several heads and directors of international organizations in the country.

In his address, Dr. AlMalik stressed that the publication of the book is a new and important approach. “All the publications that aim at highlighting the national heritage constitutes a valuable human and civilizational contribution on the level of customs and traditions as well as food and clothing, which are both elements of intangible heritage,” he added.

Dr. AlMalik also expressed the Organization’s willingness to support the dissemination of the book on a large scale through ICESCO Digital Home, noting that all the support that ICESCO provides in this context reaffirms its successful approach, particularly with the celebration of 2021 as the Year of Women.

For her part, Ms. Elmossalli commended the idea of ​​the book, noting that cooking is an inherited art. “Throughout history, women have excelled in the culinary arts. It is high time to take further steps to preserve this art through documentation to ensure its transmission to future generations,” she underscored. Ms. Elmossalli also expressed her gratitude to the Diplomatic Circle for publishing the book and to ICESCO DG for the efforts of the Organization in supporting women and enhancing their status.

Furthermore, Ms. Alessandra Mancini, wife of the Ambassador of Peru, Head of the Diplomatic Circle, delivered an address wherein she stated that the kitchen plays an important role as a catalyst for a sense of collective identity, which gives people a sense of belonging to a specific community and fosters a series of common cultural values.

Ms. Zeina Barakat Atallah, wife of the Ambassador of Lebanon, Treasurer of the Diplomatic Circle, said that the book is the fruit of six months of work during which 27 countries of the Islamic World contributed to highlighting and illustrating their cultural habits and culinary arts.

Ms. Yolanda Jah, wife of the President of the Islamic Culture Foundation, Secretary-General of the Diplomatic Circle, indicated that the book aims to bring the reader closer to the cultural richness of countries of the Islamic World through the cooking traditions and practices related to the month of Ramadan.

The charitable Diplomatic Circle is a non-profit association, established 30 years ago, to support social projects, whose members include the wives of accredited ambassadors and representatives of international organizations in Morocco. The sales proceeds of “Ramadan Tastes” will be allocated to support several humanitarian programmes in Morocco.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) received on Thursday, April 29, 2021, at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat, Mrs. Giovanna Barberis, Representative of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Morocco. The parties discussed ways of developing cooperation between the two organizations, particularly in the field of education.

During the meeting, which several ICESCO’s advisors and heads of sectors and departments attended, Dr. AlMalik pointed out that the Organization has undergone several processes of development and modernization. The changes include ICESCO’s vision, strategy, and action mechanisms.  The Organization also opened up to cooperation and partnership with international organizations in areas of common interest, the DG continued.

Discussions also focused on practical programs, to be jointly implemented, in supporting children and providing quality education and training opportunities, especially for girls and youth. The parties also agreed to hold technical meetings between the UNICEF team and experts from ICESCO’s Education and Human and Social Sciences Sectors to discuss the proposed cooperation programs and plans for their implementation.

Both parties also discussed the possibility of cooperation between UNICEF and ICESCO’s Strategic Foresight Center in conducting studies on the future of children’s education after COVID-19, and in other areas of common interest.

The Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, paid his respects to the Chadian President, Idris Deby, may Allah rest his soul, at the Embassy of Chad in Rabat.

Mr. Mahamat Abdelrassoul, Ambassador of Chad to Morocco, received the Director-General, who expressed his deepest condolences and sympathy, on behalf of all ICESCO employees, to the people of Chad on the death of this great man, who was keen on promoting cooperation and partnership between his country and ICESCO.

The DG also wrote in the Embassy’s Condolences Book, reaffirming that the death of Mr. Deby is a loss, not only to Chad but to Africa and the Islamic world at large. He wrote that the late president was a great leader with a remarkable sense of leadership, wisdom, and vision, who vowed to build and develop the Chadian society, adding that during his rule, Chad scored major progress in the fields of education, science, and culture.

ICESCO mourned the death of the Chadian President in an official statement last week following his death announcement, wherein it commended his dedicated efforts to achieve development in his country and his support for culture and literature.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) signed a cooperation agreement with the Moroccan Ministry of National Education, Vocational Training, Higher Education and Scientific Research (the Higher Education and Scientific Research Sector), and the National Center for Scientific and Technical Research (CNRST) in Rabat. The agreement concerns the Award of the “Best Scientific Research on Combating Violence against Women,” which includes five categories, to be granted to the best scientific research works aimed at producing new knowledge or solutions for this phenomenon.

The agreement was signed yesterday, April 26, 2021, at the headquarters of the Higher Education and Scientific Research Sector, in Rabat, in the presence of Dr. Saaid Amzazi, Minister of National Education, Vocational Training, Higher Education and Scientific Research, Chairman of the Moroccan National Committee for Education, Science and Culture; Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG); Dr. Driss Ouaouicha, Minister Delegate to the Minister of National Education; and Dr. Jamila EL Alami, Director of CNRST.

In his address at the signing ceremony, Dr. Amzazi stressed that the Award represents a celebration of scientific research in general and scientific research on arts and social sciences in particular.

“The Award is part of the Kingdom of Morocco’s initiative to combat violence against women, launched on 08 March 2020, under the supervision of Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Meryem. This initiative reflects the great partnership between the Ministry and ICESCO, and the Organization’s proclamation of 2021 as the Year for Women” Dr. Amzazi underscored.

On his part, Dr. Ouaouicha highlighted the spread of violence against women in our societies, particularly during the lockdown period. “Such situation stresses the importance of this Award which is likely to contribute to combating this phenomenon and finding scientific solutions to it,” he added.

In his address, Dr. AlMalik indicated that the teachings of Islam call for honoring women and combating violence against them, noting that ICESCO is making every effort to grant women their rights. “ICESCO’s proclamation of 2021 as the year of women, under the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, is part of these efforts,” he highlighted.

Dr. AlMalik also stated that “this partnership will herald other partnership agreements with universities and research institutions and encourage the establishment of several ICESCO academic chairs. This Award will be the start of similar prizes in other countries of the Islamic World.”

On her part, Dr. Jamila EL Alami said that this Award is the first of its kind at the national level while highlighting its salient stages starting from nominations until the announcement of winners. The participants also took part in the 2021 award ceremony.

According to the agreement, the winners will receive the Award on the 8^th of March of every year, corresponding to the celebration of International Women’s Day. The nominated scientific research works should be:

• Book published in the past five years;
• Thesis published in the past five years;
• Chapter from a book published in the past five years;
• Article published in a scientific journal in the past five years;
• Scientific paper submitted to a scientific event in the past two years.

The scientific research works can be written in Arabic, French, or English. The prize money of the Award is as follows:

• The best book: 30,000 MAD;
• The best thesis: 25,000 MAD;
• The best chapter:15,000 MAD;
• The best scientific article: 15,000 MAD;
• The best scientific contribution: 10,000 MAD.

Based on the recommendations of experts, the Award can be granted to more than one winner in each category.

In a bid to strengthen partnership and cooperation with the National Commissions as part of the participatory and consultative approach that the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) pursues, the General Secretariat of National Commissions and Conferences of ICESCO continues to hold a series of bilateral virtual meetings with the National Commissions for Education, Science and Culture in the Member States.

Talks during the meetings revolve around several topics, namely:

• The priorities, activities, and achievements of the National Commissions.
• The challenges that National Commissions face, and their opinions and future visions.
• Proposals to enhance cooperation and partnership between National Commissions and ICESCO.
• Proposals to develop educational, cultural, and scientific systems post-Covid 19.
• Proposals specific to the ICESCO Year of Women 2021, the empowerment of women, and the preservation of their educational, cultural, scientific and technological rights.

The meetings provide an opportunity for joint reflection, extensive discussion, and exchange of knowledge, expertise, and successful experiences in the Organization’s areas of competence. They also offer a platform for exploring the challenges facing National Commissions and ways to address them and bolstering the roles of the Commissions in the advancement of educational, cultural, and scientific systems in Member States.

The meetings are also an opportunity to enable ICESCO to define the needs and aspirations of its Member States in the Organization’s action areas, taking into account the national, regional, and international issues affecting the sectors of education, science, and culture.

To promote the meetings, the General Secretariat of the National Commissions and Conferences will prepare comprehensive reports that include proposals, recommendations, and concrete outputs for the benefit of the National Commissions and the sectors and centers of the Organization.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO), and the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States (ABEGS), held yesterday, April 22, 2021, a videoconference meeting to explore the mechanism for promoting cooperation in laying the basic foundations of a unified forward-looking vision of the educational policies and identifying the priorities for supporting them in the Arab region, particularly in the fields of educational technologies and Artificial Intelligence.

The meeting brought together Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), Dr. Mohamed Ould Amar, ALECSO DG, and Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Assimi, ABEGS DG, with the participation of some directors and advisors at ICESCO.

In his statement, Dr. AlMalik stressed the importance of cooperation between the three organizations to achieve the strategic objectives of their civilization mission. He also called for strengthening coordination, experience-sharing of future plans, and the development of their partnership mechanisms to promote joint action and implement field programmes and projects to support the sector of education in the Member States.

For his part, Dr. Ould Amar stressed the necessity of adapting the working mechanisms to the current situation and ensuring coordination between the three organizations to facilitate the implementation of projects, rationalize resources, develop programmes with a forward-looking vision, and share the findings of the studies and the recommendations of ICESCO Center for Strategic Foresight. He also called for joining the efforts of the three organizations at the meetings of UNESCO.

Dr. Al-Assimi pointed out “there is no competition between the three organizations. They rather complement each other. Besides, ABEGS is willing to cooperate with ICESCO and ALECSO in the field of strategic foresight and develop joint programmes that serve education in the Member States.”

Dr. Kais Hammami, Director of ICESCO Center for Strategic Foresight, reviewed the objectives of establishing the center as well as its major activities and initiatives since its inception in 2019.

At the close of the meeting, the participants agreed on developing a unified statistics form on the field of education, scientific research and innovation in Arab countries. The Technical Committee will determine the date of the meeting of the National Commissions at their earliest convenience.