Category: News update

The new headquarters of ICESCO’s Regional Educational Centre in Chad was inaugurated today, November 27, 2023 in N ‘Djamena, the capital city of Chad, in the presence of Dr. Salem Al Malik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), Mr. Musa Khadam, Minister of National Education and Civic Promotion, a host of senior officials, public figures, representative of Qatar Charity and a number of the Center graduates.

In his statement during the inauguration ceremony, Dr. Al-Malik emphasized ICESCO’s keenness to expand the establishment of regional centers for teaching Arabic for non- Arabic speakers in its member and non-member States, as part of the Organization’s desire to provide programmes and activities directly to the communities of the Islamic world, noting the role of the Regional Educational Centre in Chad, which has become beacon of education in the African continent.

ICESCO Director-General added that the Centre’s transfer to its new headquarters is a quantum leap towards modernizing its roles and working mechanisms in line with the Organization’s new vision. He commended the achievements of the Centre in recent years which has made it the first educational institution at the national level in training Arabic teachers to teach in the public educational elementary stage with 7645 teachers trained so far. With these achievements, the Centre has established a new branch in the city of Sarh to add to the other branch in the city of Abéché.

Dr. Al-Malik thanked the President, the Government and the people of Chad for their hospitality and for their keen interest in the development of Arab education, noting the great role played by the Ministry of National Education and all stakeholders, and the central role of Qatar Charity Foundation, which supported the construction of the Centre’s new headquarters.

In turn, the Ministry of National Education and Civic Promotion reaffirmed his country’s appreciation for the significant role played by ICESCO in contributing to the development of its areas of competence in its Member States pointing out that the new headquarters of the Educational Centre with modern equipment and facilities would support Chad in addressing the challenges of educational infrastructure.

Mr. Abdelhamid Mohammed, Director of Qatar Charity Office in Chad, expressed the Foundation’s pride in cooperating with ICESCO in such educational and development programmes and projects, expressing the Foundation’s readiness to develop bilateral cooperation to launch projects and activities in areas of mutual interest.

In his statement, Dr. Ali Mohamed Qamar, Director of ICESCO’s Regional Educational Centre in Chad, reviewed the activities and programmes implemented by the Centre during its pilot period, noting the continued support of ICESCO’s General Directorate for the Centre and its readiness to complete the construction of its new headquarters.

Later, ICESCO Director-General and the Minister of National Education, Civic Promotion and the other officials toured the Centre’s galleries, rooms and facilities, namely the language laboratory, which includes up-to-date technologies.

The United Arab Emirates Embassy in the Kingdom of Morocco paid tribute to Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in recognition of his efforts in promoting values of coexistence, tolerance and peace worldwide and for his contribution to a collective book titled, “Tolerance: Contemporary Perspectives,” published on the occasion of the 52nd UAE Union Day.

In this connection, H.E. Al Asri Saeed Al Dhaheri, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the Kingdom of Morocco, delivered an honorary shield and certificate of recognition to Dr. Abdelillah Benarafa, ICESCO Deputy Director-General, on behalf of Dr. AlMalik, who is currently on an official mission outside the seat country. This tribute was part of a reception ceremony held by the UAE Embassy in observance of the 52nd UAE Union Day on Tuesday, 21 November 2023, in the presence of Moroccan ministers, representatives of diplomatic missions accredited to Morocco, and a host of high-level officials.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), was awarded the Best Leader Award 2023 by the World Business Angels Investment Forum. This prestigious international award, presented annually by the Forum, celebrates figures who demonstrate outstanding leadership and foresight, making substantial contributions to the progress of education, science, and culture, resulting in positive changes that foster economic opportunities, social justice, and sustainable development.

In a special ceremony at the 2023 World Business Angels Investment Forum held in Durban, South Africa, attended by ministers and high-level dignitaries and representatives from various countries and international organizations active in the fields of entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic development, Mr. Baybars Altuntas, President of the Forum, presented the award to Dr. AlMalik. He stressed that the award not only acknowledges the international endeavors of the Director-General in education, science, and culture since assuming office but also highlights ICESCO’s substantial contributions in these vital areas. These contributions are driven by its new strategic vision, which has elevated the Organization as a beacon of international intellectual and cultural influence.

The World Business Angels Investment Forum emphasized in the rationale for awarding Dr. AlMalik that, under his leadership, the Organization has successfully achieved its planned objectives ahead of schedule. This accomplishment involved the development and modernization of its organizational structure and operations, as well as the establishment of strong partnerships with esteemed civil society organizations, institutions and entities both within its Member States and on the global scale. As a result, ICESCO has now positioned itself at the forefront of organizations supporting the youth of the Islamic world, striving to provide opportunities for them and enhance their capabilities in technology, innovation, and creativity, in alignment with the evolving trends in the world and anticipating future professions.

It is noteworthy that the World Business Angels Investment Forum is an international organization with the primary objective of facilitating funding for startups, small and medium enterprises, and large institutions. The forum also promotes innovation and creativity while providing employment opportunities to contribute to global social justice. This mission is achieved through supporting major investors in assisting entrepreneurs and people with ideas and facilitating their access to funding. Importantly, the forum is a partner in the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Mr. Declan Kiranne, President of the Science Summit at the UN General Assembly, discussed prospects for cooperation between ICESCO and the Summit in the development of scientific and technological research, youth capacity-building in the said field, and addressing the impacts of climate change.

During the meeting held on Friday 17 November 2023 at ICESCO Headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik reviewed ICESCO’s vision and strategic directions, especially in the field of science and technology, and building youth capacities in innovation, emphasizing the Organization’s openness to collaboration with everyone to serve humanity and contribute to overcoming the global challenges in education, science, culture, and the environment. This includes investing in the possibilities offered by modern technology and establishing research chairs in various prestigious universities worldwide.

Mr. Kiranne praised ICESCO’s efforts in contributing to the development of scientific research, affirming his keenness to build fruitful cooperation between the Organization and the Science Summit at the UN General Assembly. He expressed the importance of initiating a dialogue with Islamic world countries on the significance of science in achieving sustainable development goals.

The two parties addressed the importance of ICESCO’s significant participation in the 9th edition of the Science Summit, scheduled to take place during the UN General Assembly session in September 2024. Moreover, they discussed inviting scientists from the Islamic world to attend the Summit to enrich global dialogue on the developments and opportunities in science, as well as organizing special activities for youth at the Summit, coinciding with the celebration of the ICESCO Youth Year.

In conclusion, both parties have concurred to sustain ongoing communication and coordination to build a partnership between ICESCO and the Summit in the field of science, and to broaden collaboration with other entities to provide necessary funding for the development of scientific research and the implementation of various programs and projects.