The Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Imam Maturidi International Scientific Research Center of the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan, signed on December 17, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to promote cooperation between the Organization and the Center. The MoU covers cooperation in the academic, scientific, research, training, and cultural fields through the implementation of multiple projects and programs.

Amb. Khaled Fathalrahman, Head of ICESCO’s Department of Dialogue and Cultural Diversity, and Dr. Duranbek Maksudov, Director of the Imam Maturidi International Scientific Research Center, signed yesterday, the MoU during the International Conference that the Center held on its future plans. The virtual conference brought together several officials and religious leaders from Uzbekistan and the Islamic world, as part of the festivities marking Bukhara as the Islamic World Culture Capital for 2020 for the Asian region.

The MoU aims at exchanging scientific and academic expertise and capacity-building experiences between ICESCO and the Center, co-organizing training sessions, scientific symposiums, and international forums, and conducting joint scientific studies on manuscripts in parties’ custody. The Memorandum also aims at promoting cooperation in the field of digital libraries and the publishing of books, scientific research, and periodicals; exchanging technical and research experience; and providing scholarships for students enrolled at the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan.

ICESCO and the Center signed the Memorandum with the awareness of the importance of scientific research and academic action in achieving comprehensive and sustainable development and promoting cooperation, coexistence, and world peace. The MoU also stems from the parties’ common desire to pursue scientific cooperation.

The signing is the culmination of the discussions held during meetings between Dr. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, and Dr. Rustom Qasimov, Advisor to the President of Uzbekistan, President of the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan, which hosts the Center.