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    ICESCO Holds Workshop to Train Heritage Protection Professionals in Brunei Darussalam

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports and ICESCO National Commission in Brunei Darussalam, organized a workshop aimed at training professionals in the field of cultural heritage protection, providing valuable expertise to several specialists in the field.

    During the opening session of the workshop, which was held in Bandar Seri Begawan, from 9 to 12 September, 2024, Dr. Norkhalbi Binti Haji, Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sports for the Culture Sector, commended ICESCO’s efforts in preserving and protecting cultural and natural heritage in Islamic countries, as well as promoting and safeguarding it sustainably by implementing programs and activities with specialized national experts and competencies.

    Dr. Bilal Chebbi, Expert in the Culture and Communication sector, represented ICESCO at the workshop. He emphasized that the primary goal of this activity was to consolidate efforts in the protection and promotion of cultural heritage. Dr. Chebbi outlined ICESCO’s vision for its Islamic World Heritage Center, which prioritizes inscribing more heritage sites, historical monuments, and cultural elements on international heritage lists, with special focus on ICESCO’s Islamic World Heritage List.

    The workshop also included an in-depth presentation on the procedures for inscription on international lists, the preparation of nomination files, and the development of national heritage registers and inventory lists.

    ICESCO: We Work to Promote Calligraphy and Manuscripts to Support Human Creativity

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), reaffirmed that the Organization is keenly focused on promoting the cultures of calligraphy and manuscripts, based on its vision to support all aspects of human creativity in the fields of science, literature, and the arts. This effort also aims to expand pioneering work channels centered on innovation, renewal, and enlightenment. He also announced that ICESCO will soon inaugurate its specialized center for the cultures of calligraphy and manuscripts.

    This was part of a recorded speech delivered by Dr. AlMalik during the opening session of 5th Joint International Conference dubbed “Manuscripts of the Seventh Hijri Century: Medicine, Mathematics, and Natural Sciences – History & Philosophy of Science” organized by Darul Makhtutat in Istanbul, in collaboration with the Al-Rasikhon Fil-Ilm association in Kuwait and the University of Cambridge, which hosted the Conference sessions on 10 – 12 September 2024. The Event saw high-level participation from a host of distinguished international experts in the field of heritage and manuscripts.

    In his speech, ICESCO’s Director-General expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the organizers for selecting ICESCO as the guest of honor at the Conference. He explained that manuscripts are living witnesses to the cultural authenticity, linguistic identity, and civilizational image of the Islamic world. They also serve as bridges of shared knowledge with others in the fields of universal, natural, and applied sciences. He praised the University of Cambridge, one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world, for hosting this important conference, which focused on the manuscripts of the seventh Hijri century—a period regarded as the second golden age of the Muslim renaissance and the flourishing of their civilization across all areas of human knowledge.

    Dr. Idham Hanash, expert at ICESCO’s Culture and Communication Sector, participated in the Conference with a presentation titled “Illustrations in Medical Manuscripts of the Seventh Hijri Century: Between Scientific Verification and Artistic Analysis.” His presentation addressed medical topics featured in manuscript illustrations, such as portraits of sages and physicians, scientific instruments, and medical devices. He also highlighted the artistic aspects of medical manuscripts, including calligraphy and ornamentation.

    At the Global AI Summit: ICESCO Director General Announces the launch of Riyadh AI Ethics Charter for the Islamic World

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    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) launched Riyadh AI Ethics Charter for the Islamic World, which aims at outlining a global framework for the development of AI technologies in line with the values and ethics of the Islamic world, and promoting inclusive and sustainable development as well as international cooperation in this field.

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director General, announced the launch of the Charter on Wednesday, 11 September 2024, at the third Global AI Summit (GAIN), held by SDAIA, at King Abdulaziz International Conference Center, in Riyadh, in the presence of princes, ministers, senior international officials, thought leaders and heads of leading AI and technology companies from 100 countries around the world.

    Dr. AlMalik stressed that the launch of Riyadh AI Ethics Charter for the Islamic World is a historic moment, showcasing the great strategic partnership between ICESCO and SDAIA. On this occasion, he expressed his warm thanks and gratitude to all the partners who contributed to drawing up the Charter through a series of specialized workshops, including the Omani University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS), which hosts ICESCO’s Chair on AI Ethics, the Moroccan Polytechnic University Mohammed VI (UM6P), the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, as well as experts and researchers from various ICESCO Member States.

    He stressed that AI offers tremendous opportunities and solutions to the most pressing problems facing our societies, but also presents challenges to human creativity and the originality of scientific research. He also noted that Riyadh Charter encompasses the principles of truth and originality, and provides a comprehensive framework within which the use of AI is compatible with ethical values, including respect for privacy and human dignity, and the promotion of equity and solidarity.

    ICESCO Director General added that the Charter aims to integrate AI into the societies of the Islamic world in such a way as to preserve the values and central role of the family. “It also features proposals to ensure the development of AI, including the creation of an AI Monitoring Committee to oversee progress in this field and provide strategic recommendations to policymakers based on the advice of qualified experts. Similarly, ICESCO will lead a consortium of international governmental and non-governmental organizations and institutions to help its Member States build the necessary infrastructure for the development of the digital economy; and cooperate with SDAIA to launch an initiative to train 25,000 young people in the Islamic world in AI science and applications,” he explained.

    Dr. AlMalik concluded his speech by recalling that Riyadh AI Ethics Charter is the outcome of ICESCO’s commitment to the outstanding civilizational values of the Islamic world.

    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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.