On Friday (September 23, 2022), the Strategic Foresight Center of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) concluded the series of meetings, held in partnership with Mohamed bin Zayed University for Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) of the United Arab Emirates, in several Moroccan universities, to introduce students of engineering and science faculties to the scholarships provided by MBZUAI.
The week-long meetings, which saw the participation of more than 500 master’s and doctoral students, aimed at introducing them to the importance of artificial intelligence and its applications in building the future. It also highlighted MBZUAI’s keenness, through its various departments, to enhance scientific research in the fields of computer vision and machine learning.
Dr. Kais Hammami, Director of the Center for Strategic Foresight, along with his team represented ICESCO in these meetings while Dr. Hosni Ghadira, Director of Research Services Department, Mr. Abdul Muttalib Al Seddik, Acting Head of the Computer Vision Department, and Ms. Reem Orfaly, Director of Student Affairs, represented MBZUAI.
The closing ceremony of the International Conference on “Unity of the Source of Messages against Extremism and Terrorism for Peace and Cooperation,” hosted by the Russian Islamic University affiliated with the Central Religious Department of Muslims of Russia, in Ufa, capital of the Republic of Bashkortostan, witnessed the announcement of the establishment of the ICESCO Chair for Arabic Language in the Service of Dialogue and Coexistence at the University.
Procedures for signing the agreement on the Chair’s establishment between ICESCO and the Department should be completed in the days ahead. The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) took part in the fourteenth session of the Conference, which was held within the framework of the celebrations marking the 1100th anniversary of the adoption of Islam as an official religion in the historic Kingdom of Bulgar, Russian Federation.
The event is part of a series of international scientific meetings organized by the Department and its affiliated University, with the assistance of the Presidency of the Republic of Bashkortostan, and in cooperation with the Fund for Support of Islamic Culture, Science and Education.
The opening ceremony took place on September 21, 2022, in the presence of His Eminence Sheikh Al-Islam Talaat Safa Taj Al-Din, General Mufti, Head of the Central Religious Department of the Muslims of Russia, representative of the Presidency of the Republic in Bashkortostan, and a host of scientific and intellectual figures from Russia and the Islamic world.Mr. Adel Bouraoui, Advisor to the Director-General for ICESCO’s External Centers and University Chairs in the field of Arabic Language, represented the Organization in the opening ceremony and delivered an address in which he noted that the Conference’s theme lies at the core of ICESCO’s concerns. He emphasized that ICESCO places dialogue, peace, coexistence and rejection of extremism at the heart of its educational, cultural and communication strategies and action plans, reviewing a number of the Organization’s achievements in this field.
The Human and Social Sciences Sector of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held a meeting with the National Commissions for Education, Science and Culture in Mauritania, Pakistan, Malaysia and the Comoros Islands, to discuss arrangements for launching the ICESCO initiative to rehabilitate street children through football in these countries.
The meeting, which was held via videoconference, was attended by Mrs. Ramata Almamy Mbaye, head of the Human and Social Sciences Sector at ICESCO, and the Sector’s work team, while the countries benefiting from the initiative were represented by Mr. Mohamed Ould Sidi Abdallah, Secretary General of the Mauritanian National Commission for Education, Science and Culture; Mr. Junaid Akhlaq, Secretary-General of the Pakistan National Commission for UNESCO and ICESCO; Mr. Hizrul bin Ali and Mr. Muhammad Nazif bin Muhammad Noor from the Malaysian Ministry of Education, and Mr. Muhammad bin Ali, ICESCO’s delegate in Comoros.
In her intervention, Mrs. Ramata Almami Mbaye stressed that ICESCO aims, through this initiative, to use sport as a powerful and effective tool to enhance child protection, education, rehabilitation, peace-building and contribute to building the capacities of vulnerable groups, noting that football tournaments, training sessions, physical activities and games contribute significantly to social integration and cohesion, combating violence, promoting tolerance and creating safe spaces for street children.
During the meeting, the participants stressed that this initiative constitutes an opportunity to support street children aged between 7 and 17 through football, and to instill in them the values of leadership and social skills to motivate and inspire them and contribute to a creating brighter future.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) celebrates Islamic World Heritage Day annually on September 25, an occasion to review ICESCO’s important achievements made in the preservation and valorization of the cultural properties of the countries of the Islamic world, placing them on the map of global cultural tourism and exploring the promising prospects in this field.
As part of ICESCO’s efforts to protect the cultural heritage in the Islamic world and document its elements, the Organization inscribed a large number of historical sites and cultural elements of its Member States on ICESCO’s Lists of Tangible and Intangible Heritage in the Islamic World. It held several training sessions for the benefit of professional staff working in the field of heritage to develop their capacities in preparing inscription files. The Organization also held several international fora and symposia to raise awareness of the need to combat illegal trafficking in cultural property and its restitution.
Relying on modern technology and keeping pace with the latest developments, ICESCO is working to expand the experiment of employing artificial intelligence in heritage documentation for the benefit of Member States and is working on the completion of a set of guides on types of heritage, mechanisms for its valorization, and ways to combat its illegal trafficking, which will be soon available for heritage staff.
ICESCO’s Islamic World Heritage Center, which has become a think-tank for specialists and experts in this field, is implementing an integrated programme that provides the required support to Member States to respond to their various needs in the field of heritage, including reviewing legal systems, supervising professionals and raising their level of readiness, carrying out inspection and reconnaissance visits to endangered heritage monuments by ICESCO’s specialized committees and preparing technical reports on them, as well as documenting, restoring and maintaining the various components of cultural heritage in the Islamic world and contributing to preparing them to support the Member States’ local and national economies.
The Financial Control Committee of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) concluded its annual meeting, on Friday (23 September 2022), at the Organization’s headquarters, in Rabat, and issued its final report for the financial year 2021.
The three-day meeting was chaired by Mr. Yussuf Ali Najar, representative of the State of Kuwait, Chairman of the Committee, the membership of which includes Mr. Abdulaziz Saad Aldabas, representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Rapporteur, Mr. Araz Baghirli, representative of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Mr. Mohammad Khanafei Bin Mohammad Jamil, representative of Malaysia, as well as Mr. Hadji Habib Kébé, representative of the Republic of Senegal, who participated via videoconference.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, commended the efforts of the Financial Control Committee throughout the past years and the technical advice and strategic vision it provided to ICESCO to develop its financial governance and modernize its administrative systems and management and accounting procedures.
During a meeting with the Financial Control Committee, which saw the presence of Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General of ICESCO, and several heads of sector and directors of department of ICESCO, Dr. AlMalik stressed that ICESCO General Directorate adopts transparency and credibility in its work, indicating that it welcomes the recommendations and proposals of the Committee, as well as the decisions and resolutions of the previous sessions the Executive Council and the General Conference respectively to develop its working mechanisms.
For his part, the Chairman of the ICESCO Finance Control Committee praised the clear development within the Organization, and thanked ICESCO Director-General and officials, explaining that the Committee examined all the documents placed on the agenda and stated its recommendations in the final report.
The Committee’s meeting examined the follow-up on the implementation of its recommendations for the past year, the financial report of the General Directorate of ICESCO, the closing accounts for the financial year 2021, and the audit company’s report for 2021, and reviewed the Governance Guide of ICESCO and other items related to the financial and administrative affairs of the Organization.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with His Excellency Mr. Mahmoud Abbas, Palestinian President, in New York on Thursday, September 22, 2022.
During the meeting, Dr. AlMalik reviewed ICESCO’s new vision and strategic orientations, and the key programmes and activities that it is implementing to support the efforts of its Member States in advancing the fields of education, science and culture to keep pace with the rapid changes in the world.
ICESCO DG emphasized that the Organization places Palestine and Al-Quds at the forefront of its priorities, by supporting a set of programmes and projects aimed at developing the educational, cultural and scientific sectors in Palestine, and contributing to the protection and preservation of Palestinian historical sites and their inscription on the Islamic World Heritage Lists.
He also hailed the pioneering role played by the Palestinian National Commission for Education, Culture and Science.
For his part, the Palestinian President commended ICESCO’s role in advancing the educational, cultural and scientific fields in the countries of the Islamic world, including Palestine, in light of the Israeli occupation’s attacks on educational rights, mainly in Al-Quds, and on the cultural capabilities of the Palestinian people through blurring, distortion and forgery, as well as attempts to steal and alter the landmarks of Palestinian heritage and archaeological sites, in clear violation of all relevant international charters and treaties. He also highlighted the importance of ICESCO and other international organizations in protecting the right to education and preserving Palestinian heritage and culture.
The meeting brought together Mr. Ziad Abu Amr, Member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, Deputy Prime Minister, Dr. Dawas Dawas, Secretary-General of the Palestinian National Commission for Education, Science and Culture, Chairman of ICESCO’s Executive Council, Ambassador Mr. Mounir Anastas, Permanent Delegate of Palestine to UNESCO, and Ms. Amira El Fadil, Head of ICESCO Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector.
The Sector of Education at the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) took part in the Regional Talks on Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Curricula Arab States, held by UNESCO Education Office in cooperation with UNESCO Regional Office for Education in the Arab States in Beirut. The talks are part of the ongoing preparations for the World Conference on Early Childhood Care and Education to be held in November 2022.
Dr. Ahmed Zonfoli, Program Director at the Sector, represented ICESCO in the meeting, held on Thursday, September 22, 2022, via videoconference. The meeting saw the participation of the representatives of several countries, decision-makers, education experts, and representatives of academic institutions and regional and international organizations, intending to adopt Transformative and Forward-looking ECCE Curricula for Lifelong Learning.
The meeting focused on evidence-based promising policies and practices on ECCE Curricula and examined specific curricula and pedagogy-related issues and priorities Member States address in order to achieve SDG4.
The Center for Civilization Dialogue of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held four separate meetings with Malaysian institutions, namely the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, the International Institute for Advanced Islamic Studies, and the Center for Civilizational Dialogue of the University of Malaya. The meetings discussed ways to enhance cooperation mechanisms between ICESCO and these parties in promoting civilizational dialogue and organizing joint programmes and activities.
Dr. Sidra Tariq Jamil, expert at the Center for Civilization Dialogue, represented ICESCO in these meetings. The first meeting, held with Ms. Nancy Bint Shukri, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture in Malaysia, discussed the aspects of cooperation between ICESCO and the Ministry in implementing several programmes and initiatives, and organizing seminars and workshops to promote culture in Muslim countries, protect heritage and encourage young people to artistic creativity.
During the second meeting with Mr. Ahmad Kamrizamil, Undersecretary of the Regional Cooperation Department at the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Sidra reviewed the Organization’s efforts in promoting civilizational dialogue and diplomacy in Member States, highlighting the importance of international and regional cooperation to contribute to the achievement of peace and sustainable development in the Islamic world.
ICESCO representative held the third meeting with Dr. Mohammad Hashim Kamali, CEO of the International Institute for Advanced Islamic Studies in Malaysia. This meeting touched upon ways of cooperation in conducting joint studies and research on a number of topics, most notably the importance of cultural and civilizational dialogue.
Dr. Sidra held the fourth meeting with Dr. Azizan Baharuddin, Director of the Center for Civilizational Dialogue of the University of Malaya. The meeting reviewed the strategic vision, main objectives and aspirations of the two centers and the necessary measures to sign a memorandum of understanding.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), revealed the Organization’s strategic orientation to digitize transforming girls’ education as indicated in ICESCO’s study, prepared in cooperation with external experts, which features five strategies: capitalizing on the integration of educational technology using a multi-media approach, providing non-conventional and comprehensive educational tools for girls, using artificial intelligence and machine learning, providing girls with basic skills to keep pace with development, and enhancing teachers’ ability to use modern technology.
This statement was part of Dr. AlMalik’s address at the “Transforming Girls’ Education Forum,” held on Wednesday (September 21, 2022), in New York, by the Government of the Republic of Niger, in partnership with ICESCO, UNESCO, the United Nations Population Fund and the Global Partnership for Education, following the United Nations Transforming Education Summit, to raise awareness of the importance of ensuring girls’ right to education, stressing the need to update school curricula, proposing plans and measures to transform girls’ education, and combating their school dropout, especially in conflict areas.
The Forum saw high-level participation, including His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Bazoum, President of the Republic of Niger, Dr. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, and Ms. Deine Keita, Deputy Executive Director for Programs of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), as well as the representatives of the United Nations agencies, civil society organizations, Nobel laureates, and several educational institutions.
At the outset of his address, Dr. Al-Malik thanked His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco, for his continued support for ICESCO, and commended the constant involvement of the President of Niger in education development, stressing the importance of this forum and noting that investment in girls’ education gives them the opportunity to become effective actors in achieving sustainable development.
Besides, he stressed that girl’s education is not limited to access to school; it should help them acquire modern skills in line with the future labor market to bring about the desired positive change, calling for concerted efforts to mainstream transforming girls’ education, invest in early childhood education, empower and support young women in leadership business, and develop modern curricula.
Moreover, He reviewed ICESCO’s key initiatives and programmes geared toward providing safe educational spaces for students and girls, most notably the girls’ digital laboratories programme and ICESCO children’s libraries and e-learning centers.
During the forum sessions, participants shared the best practices, efforts, achievements and challenges of transforming girls’ education, announced specific plans and commitments to transform girls’ education, and agreed to establish a collaborative network for girls’ education.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Dr. Eun Mee Kim, President of Ewha Womans University in South Korea, discussed cooperation prospects between ICESCO and the University in the areas of developing scientific research, granting scholarships and implementing joint programmes to build girls and women’s capacities, as well as exchange experiences with Member Universities of the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW).
The meeting was held on Wednesday, September 21, 2022, in New York, following both officials’ participation in the United Nations Transforming Education Summit, where Dr. AlMalik reviewed the key parts of ICESCO’s new vision and strategic orientations, which accord special importance to building the capacities of girls and women and contributing to achieving equality in educational opportunities while stressing the Organization’s eagerness to enhance cooperation and openness to prestigious international universities around the world.
The meeting touched upon cooperation proposals between ICESCO and Ewha Womans University in South Korea, including establishing an ICESCO research chair at the Korean University, launching joint programmes and activities to support girls and women, building cooperation between the University and ICESCO’s FUIW, and granting several University scholarships for female students from the Islamic world. The two parties agreed to coordinate to sign a cooperation agreement covering programmes and activities of common interest.
For her part, Dr. Eun Mee Kim commanded ICESCO’s openness to cooperation with educational and research institutions and its support for scientific research, highlighting the University’s keenness to cooperate with ICESCO. She also invited ICESCO DG to visit the University’s headquarters in Korea.
