16th Session of the Executive Council Islamic Azad University – Dubai Branch State of the United Arab Emirates 25-26 May 2011

With the help of Allah, the General Secretariat of the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW) held the 16th session of the Executive Council on 22-23 Jumada II 1432 A.H./25-26 May 2011, at Islamic Azad University – Dubai Branch, in Dubai, State of the United Arab Emirates. The proceedings of this session were opened under the presidency of H.E. Dr Suleiman bin Abdallah bin Hamood Aba Al-Khail, Rector of Al-Imam Mohammed Bin Saud Islamic University, Chairman of the Executive Council of the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World. Talked during this opening session H.E. Dr Abdullah Jassbi, President of Islamic Azad University, H.E. Dr Rufat Kasumov, Vice-rector of Azerbaijan State Economic University, Representative of the President of the 5th General Conference of the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World, and H.E. Dr Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri, Director General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), Secretary General of the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW). The session also saw the participation of the members of the Executive Council whose names are annexed hereto.

After recitation of some verses from the Holy Quran, H.E. Dr Taghi Torabi, President of Islamic Azad University-Dubai University, gave an address in which he welcomed the participants in the meeting. Then, H.E. Dr Abdullah Jassbi, President of Islamic Azad University, made an address in which he welcomed the members of the Executive Council and conveyed the University’s happiness at hosting the 16th session of the Executive Council. He also expressed his confidence in the ability of the Federation and its Member Universities to rise to the challenges of globalization and benefit by its positive contributions in the scientific and cultural fields. Besides, he conveyed his thanks to H.E. Dr Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri, the FUIW Secretary General, for the efforts he exerts to promote science and Islamic culture, while commending the election of H.E. Dr Suleiman bin Abdallah bin Hamood Aba Al-Khail, Rector of Al-Imam Mohammed Bin Saud Islamic University, as Chairman of the FUIW Executive Council.

Thereafter, H.E. Dr Rufat Kasumov, Vice-rector of Azerbaijan State Economic University, Representative of the President of the 5th General Conference of the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World, made an address in which he extended his thanks to the President and administration of Islamic Azad University, for their cordial reception, generous hospitality and efficient organization of that session. He also commended the achievements made by the Federation. Besides, he pointed out that the rapid progress of higher education at the global level poses new challenges which should be addressed to develop higher education and scientific research in the Muslim world, meet the requirements of the labour market through making use of the huge capacities of Member Universities in the fields of technology, and promoting cooperation and coordination among them to keep abreast of new developments, achieve ambitious academic projects and upgrade quality standards of education.

Then, H.E. Dr Suleiman bin Abdallah bin Hamood Aba Al-Khail, Rector of Al-Imam Mohammed Bin Saud Islamic University, Chairman of the Executive Council of the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World, delivered an address in which he conveyed his pride in the outstanding status of the Federation. He also expressed his appreciation of the FUIW’s efforts aimed at upgrading university education in the Muslim world thanks to the sound planning; clear visions and earnest action of the Secretary General, H.E. Dr Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri, and the members of the Executive Council. In addition, he expressed his confidence in the future of the Federation thanks to the capacity of the General Secretariat and Member Universities to improve their working methods so as to rank among the specialized university federations at the international level.

Thereafter, H.E. Dr Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri, Director General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), Secretary General of the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW), delivered an address wherein he conveyed his heartfelt gratitude to the State of the United Arab Emirates for playing host to the meeting and to the President of Islamic Azad University for exerting laudable organizational efforts towards the convening of this session. He also extended his deep thanks to the President of the 5th General Conference of the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World, Rector of Azerbaijan State Economic University, for the efforts he puts in to implement the resolutions of the 5th General Conference in order to enhance the action of the Federation and achieve its objectives. Besides, he expressed his thanks to the Chairman of the Executive Council of the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World, Rector of Al-Imam Mohammed Bin Saud Islamic University, for his commendable efforts towards fulfilling the Federation's goals. In addition, he pointed out the huge challenges and rapid changes which require FUIW Member Universities, considering their central role as incubators for educated youth where they can apply their creative minds to share knowledge, innovation and strategic planning, to contribute to edifying the future of their countries, peoples and Ummah. Moreover, he stressed that the documents submitted to the Executive Council at its current session include academic projects that can empower Member Universities to rise to these civilizational challenges through broadening the Federation's scope of action, improving its output, and enhancing its contribution to the advancement of Islamic universities and supporting joint Islamic action.

Afterwards, as part of the endeavours made by the Federation to enhance the level of university researches and link them to the developmental and civilizational requirements of the Islamic world, in recognition of scientists' outstanding contributions and in a bid to encourage researchers in Member Universities to highlight their efforts and output in the field of university research, the winners of the FUIW's 2010 Prize for University Research Papers on the theme "Scientific Research and Localization of Technology in the Islamic World" were announced, namely:

• Prof. Dr Abdul-Fattah Mustapha Aly Sayed Ghanima.
• Prof. Dr Muhammad Ashfaq.
• Prof. Dr Awatef Bint Ahmed Hindi.

Then, the FUIW Secretary General presented the first cash prize together with the appreciation certificate and the FUIW Shield to Prof. Dr. AbdelFattah Mostafa Elsayed Ghonema.
Thereafter, the Council held the first working session during which it adopted the draft agenda and programme.
Then, the FUIW Secretary General presented the report on the General Secretariat’s activities between the 15th and 16th Executive Council Sessions. The report features the activities implemented by the FUIW, which included the international conferences, symposia and meetings held in the fields of strategic planning, quality assurance, higher education issues, knowledge integration, revival of the heritage and activation of FUIW/ISESCO Chairs. The report also reflects an active participation of the FUIW in international conferences and scientific symposia aimed at promoting university research and upgrading its level, and the field-visits made by the heads of universities and specialized experts, with a view to sharing expertise, as part of the FUIW plan to facilitate expertise sharing among Member Universities, assess performance and achieve integration between their performance and efforts. Besides, the Secretary General reviewed the efforts deployed by the Federation in the fields of studies and publishing and teachers’ dispatching as well as the projects of the “FUIW Prize for Academic Research Papers”; the “Islamic Virtual University”; and “ISESCO/FUIW University Chairs”.
After discussion of this report, the Council members lauded the efforts exerted by the Secretary General and his assistants to promote cooperation between universities, upgrade their quality standards, evaluate their performance, and increase the number of Member Universities. They also called upon the Secretary General to pursue his efforts to expand the scope of cooperation and partnership among Member Universities, similar federations as well as international, Islamic and Arab specialized organizations, and academic research institutions, within the scope of programmes' implementation. In addition, they extended their thanks to the Member Universities which supported the project of scholarships geared to the students of Muslim countries and which played host to and cooperated in the implementation of the FUIW’s activities and programmes, while calling on other universities to shore up these efforts. After adoption of the Secretary General’s academic report, the Secretary General’s Financial Report for the financial year 2010 (from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2010) was presented. In this respect, the report highlighted the continuous efforts exerted by the General Secretariat to increase incomes and urge Member Universities to pay their contributions, in line with the recommendations of the Executive Council and the General Conference and in a bid to implement the greatest number of the programmes scheduled under the 2010-2012 Three-Year Plan. In this regard, the report stated that the General Secretariat received during the year 2010 a total sum of US$ 117,300 (US$ 49,600 for the year 2010 and US$ 67,700 for the previous years), in addition to bank proceeds and other resources amounting to US$ 26,136.97.

Having examined and discussed the financial report, the Council members adopted it and agreed to submit it to the 6th General Conference of the Federation. They also stressed the previous decisions and resolutions of the Executive Council and the General Conference regarding the situation of Member Universities' contributions and arrears to the Federation's budget and the incentive measures for their payment. Besides, they expressed their thanks to the Member Universities which paid up their contributions for the year 2010 while urging the other Member Universities to settle their contributions and arrears as soon as possible to enable the Federation to accomplish its mission and carry out the programmes of the plan. In addition, the Council members expressed their appreciation of the efforts deployed by the Secretary General to intensify contacts with Member Universities to pay up their contributions while thanking him for implementing the relevant decisions of the Executive Council at its successive sessions. Moreover, they invited Member Universities to appoint focal points to coordinate with the Federation in implementing their programmes, improving their performance and following up their financial commitments to the Federation.

Then, the Secretary General presented a progress report on the last stages achieved in the Project on the Islamic Virtual University, in implementation of the recommendations of the 5th General Conference which called on the Secretary General to pursue the efforts towards the implementation of the Project on the Islamic Virtual University, and in line with the decision on the project issued by the Executive Council at its 15th session. The report reviewed the resolutions and recommendations made by the 2nd meeting of the Islamic Virtual University’s Board of Trustees. The Executive Council adopted the final report of the meeting and invited in the meanwhile the FUIW General Secretariat and the presidency of the Islamic Virtual University to take the necessary measures to launch the project. The Council also expressed its thanks to the FUIW General Secretariat, Islamic Azad University and Al-Imam Mohammed Bin Saud Islamic University for their active cooperation in this project, while inviting universities as well as Islamic and Arab institutions and organizations to provide financial and technical support to help the Islamic Virtual University discharge its mission. Besides, the Council invited the Secretary General to submit a report in this regard to the 6th General Conference.

Subsequently, the Secretary General presented a document on the project of the "Islamic Universities Business Network". The report reviewed the outcomes of the "Experts' Meeting to Examine the Islamic Universities Business Network Project and Consider Adequate Mechanisms to implement it" which was held by the FUIW General Secretariat in association with Azerbaijan State Economic University. The participating experts reviewed the “Islamic Universities Business Network” project. They also introduced the necessary amendments and came up with an integrated reference document on the project including practical mechanisms for its implementation. Besides, they recommended that the document be submitted to the Executive Council. Having taken stock of the document, the Council decided to amend the title of the document as the "Project of the FUIW Business Network", while expressing its thanks to the General Secretariat and Azerbaijan State Economic University for their sustained cooperation in preparing this project. The Council also invited the Secretary General to pursue the efforts towards its implementation, in cooperation and coordination with Azerbaijan State Economic University. By the same token, the Council called on universities as well as Islamic and Arab institutions and organizations to cooperate in extending support to the project of the FUIW Business Network, and decided to include an item on this subject in the agenda of the forthcoming session of the Executive Council.

Based on its request to establish a "League of the Medicine Faculties of the FUIW Member Universities", Al-Imam Mohammed Bin Saud Islamic University presented a draft document on the project to the Council members. After discussing the project, the Council decided to adopt the Project for the establishment of the League of the Medicine Faculties of the FUIW Member Universities, while taking into consideration the observations of the Council members. The Council also thanked Al-Imam Mohammed Bin Saud Islamic University for preparing this document, and decided to include an item on this subject in the agenda of the 17th session of the Executive Council. Then, the Secretary General presented his report on the 25 membership applications the General Secretariat received in 2010 of which 19 fulfilled the required conditions. In this regard, the Secretary General expressed satisfaction with the number of applications submitted by universities wishing to join the FUIW. After examining the applications submitted, the Council commended the efforts exerted by the General Secretariat in this respect and approved the applications of the following universities: King Faisal University (Republic of Chad); Darul Huda Islamic University (Republic of India); University of Gadaref, University of Nyala and University of the Holy Quran and the Mainstreaming of Science (Republic of the Sudan); Preston Institute of Management, Science and Technology (PIMSAT) and the Institute of Business & Technology (Islamic Republic of Pakistan); Ibn Zohr University (Kingdom of Morocco); Tabarestan Higher Educational Institute, Damghan University (Islamic Republic of Iran); Istanbul Ayden University (Republic of Turkey); University of Maroua (Republic of Cameroon); Tikrit University and the University of Wasit (Republic of Iraq); The Russian Islamic University at CSBM of Russia - Republic of Bashkortostan (Russian Federation); Zayed University (State of the United Arab Emirates); Taibah University and Princess Nora Bint Abdulrahman University (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia); and the European Institute for Human Sciences in Paris (French Republic). In the same vein, the Executive Council recommended the Secretary General to pursue efforts in inviting other universities in the Islamic world to join the Federation. It also agreed to submit this document to the 6th General Conference with a recommendation for its adoption.

Recalling the recommendation submitted by the 15th session of the Executive Council to the current session regarding the convening of the 17th session of the Council at Naif Arab University for Security Sciences in Riyadh, and following the kind invitation extended by the said university to host the forthcoming session of the Council, the Council members extended their thanks to Naif Arab University for Security Sciences in Riyadh for its invitation and decided to hold the 17th session at its headquarters, in Riyadh, in 2012. During the closing session, the Council members adopted the draft final report and the annexed decisions while reiterating their thanks to Islamic Azad University – Dubai Branch and its President, H.E. Dr Abdullah Jassbi, for the generous hospitality and good organization, and H.E. Dr Suleiman bin Abdallah bin Hamood Aba Al-Khail, Rector of Al-Imam Mohammed Bin Saud Islamic University, Chairman of the Executive Council of the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World, for his sound management of the sessions of this meeting. They also expressed their appreciation to the FUIW Secretary General for the substantial progress achieved by the Federation in various fields to upgrade university education in the Islamic world and to reinvigorate its role in boosting the progress of Muslim societies and fulfilling the civilizational mission of Muslim universities.

No: FUIW/E.C.16/2011/D.1.1 (adopted)

The Executive Council :

• In compliance with Article (11- II), operative paragraph “2”, of the Federation’s Charter;
• Having examined the Draft Agenda of the current Sixteenth Session of the Council, as contained in Document No: (FUIW/E.C.16/2011/1.1, Provisional);
• Considering the deliberations which have taken place;

Decides the following :

• Adopts the Agenda of its Sixteenth Session as contained in the Document (FUIW/E.C.16/2011/1.1, adopted), annexed to the Final Report.

No: FUIW/E.C.16/2011/D.1.2 (amended, adopted)

The Executive Council :

• Considering the Decision No (FUIW/E.C.16/2011/D.1.1) adopted by the Executive Council regarding the Agenda of its current Sixteenth Session;
• Having examined the Draft Programme of the current Session, as contained in Document No (FUIW/E.C.16/2011/1.2, Provisional);
• Considering the deliberations which have taken place;

Decides the following :

• Adopts the Programme of its Sixteenth Session as contained in Document No (FUIW/E.C.16/2011/1.2, adopted), annexed to the Final Report.

No: FUIW/E.C.16/2011/D. 2.1

The Executive Council :

• In accordance with Article (11) II, paragraph “2”, of the Federation’s Charter;
• In compliance with Article (21), operative paragraph “a”, of the Rules of Procedure of the Federation’s Executive Council;
• Having heard the presentation made by the Secretary General of the Federation;
• Considering the deliberations which have taken place, as well as the proposals and observations put forward by the Executive Council’s members;

Decides the following :

• Adopts the Report of the Secretary General on the General Secretariat’s Activities as contained in Document N°( FUIW/E.C.16/2011/2.1), taking into consideration the observations made by the Council’s members;
• Invites the Secretary General to pursue his efforts aimed at broadening scope for cooperation and partnership with Member Universities, similar federations as well as specialized Arab, Islamic and international organizations, and scientific research institutions, as part of programmes’ implementation.
• Commends the efforts exerted by the Secretary General of the Federation and his assistants to promote cooperation among universities, upgrade their quality standards, evaluate their performance and increase the number of Member Universities.
• Thanks those Member Universities that have committed themselves to supporting the project of scholarships for Muslim world students, and those that hosted and collaborated in the Federation’s activities and programmes, and invites other universities to join in and contribute to pushing these efforts forward.
• Agrees to submit this report to the Sixth General Conference and recommends its adoption.

No: FUIW/E.C.16/2011/ D. 2.2

The Executive Council :

• In accordance with Article (11) II, paragraph “6”, and Article (12) II, paragraph “b”, of the Federation’s Charter;
• In compliance with Article (21), operative paragraph “b”, of the Rules of Procedure of the Federation’s Executive Council;
• Recalling the Decision No (FUIW/E.C.15/2010/D.2.2), adopted by the Executive Council at its Fifteenth Session (Azerbaijan State Economic University, Baku, 10-11 May 2010);
• Taking into account that the majority of the Federation’s Member Universities did not settle their financial contributions for the year 2010 and the preceding years;
• Considering the deliberations which have taken place;

Decides the following :

• Adopts the Financial Report of the Secretary General as contained in the Document No (FUIW/E.C.16/2011/2.2).
• Reaffirms the previous Council decisions and Conference resolutions concerning the situation of contributions and arrears as well as the incentive settlement procedures.
• Thanks the Member Universities which have settled their contributions for the year 2010, and urges the other Member Universities to settle their financial contributions and pay up their arrears at their earliest convenience to enable the Federation to shoulder its tasks and implement the Action Plan’s programmes.
• Commends the efforts exerted by the Secretary General to intensify contact with Member Universities to settle their financial contributions, and thanks him for properly implementing the relevant decisions of the Executive Council at its successive sessions.
• Invites Member Universities to appoint focal points to be commissioned to coordinate with the Federation in order to implement their programmes, boost their performance and meet their financial commitments to the Federation.
• Includes this item in the agenda of the next Executive Council session.
• Agrees to submit this report to the Sixth General Conference of the Federation and recommends its adoption.

No: FUIW/E.C.16/2011/ D. 3.1

The Executive Council :

• In accordance with Article (12) II, paragraph “a”, of the Federation’s Charter;
• Recalling the Decision No (FUIW/E.C.15/2010/D.3.1), adopted by the FUIW Executive Council at its 15th session (Azerbaijan State Economic University, Baku, 10-11 May 2010);
• Having examined the Document N° (FUIW/E.C.16/2011/3.1);
• Considering the deliberations which have taken place, as well as the views and observations put forward by the Executive Council’s members;

Decides the following :

• Adopts the Final Report of the Second Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Islamic Virtual University, and invites the FUIW General Secretariat and the IVU Presidency to take the necessary practical measures to launch the project.
• Thanks the FUIW’s General Secretariat, Islamic Azad University and Imam Muhammad Bin Saud Islamic University for their continued cooperation in this project.
• Invites the Member Universities as well as Arab and Islamic organizations and institutions to extend financial and technical support to promote the mission of the Islamic Virtual University.
• Invites the Secretary General to submit a report in this connection to the 6th General Conference of the Federation.

N°: FUIW/E.C.16/2011/ D.3.2

The Executive Council :

• In accordance with Article (12) II, paragraph “a”, of the Federation’s Charter;
• In compliance with Article (23) of the Rules of Procedure of the Federation’s Executive Council;
• Having examined the Document N° (FUIW/E.C.16/2011/3.2);
• Having heard the presentation made by the representative of the Azerbaijan State Economic University;
• Considering the deliberations which have taken place, as well as the views and observations put forward by the Executive Council members ;

Decides the following :

• Adopts the Project of the FUIW Business Network, as contained in the Document (FUIW/E.C.16/2011/3.2), taking into consideration the observations made by the Council members.
• Thanks the FUIW General Secretariat and the Azerbaijan State Economic University for their ongoing cooperation in the preparation of this project.
• Invites the Secretary General to pursue his efforts towards the implementation of this project, in cooperation and coordination with the Azerbaijan State Economic University.
• Invites universities as well as Arab Islamic organizations and institutions to cooperate in extending support to this project.
• Includes this item in the agenda of the next Executive Council session.

N°: FUIW/E.C.16/2011/ D.3.3
Project for the establishment of the league of Medicine Faculties

The Executive Council :

• In accordance with Article (12) II, paragraph “a”, of the Federation’s Charter;
• In compliance with Article (24) of the Rules of Procedure of the Federation’s Executive Council;
• Having examined the Document concerning the establishment of the League of Medicine Faculties;
• Having heard the presentation made by the Secretary General in this connection ;
• Considering the deliberations which have taken place ;

Decides the following :

• Adopts the Project of the establishment of the League of Medicine Faculties, taking into consideration the observations of the Council members.
• Thanks Imam Muhammad Bin Saud Islamic University for preparing this document.
• Includes this item in the agenda of the coming session of the Executive Council.

No: FUIW/E.C.16/2011/D.4.1

The Executive Council :

• In accordance with Article (11) II, paragraph “5”, of the Federation’s Charter;
• In compliance with Article (21), operative paragraph “l”, of the Rules of Procedure of the Federation’s Executive Council;
• Having examined the document containing the list of universities that applied for membership in the Federation, totalling (19) universities;
• Having heard the presentation made by the Secretary General in this connection ;
• Considering the deliberations which have taken place ;

Decides the following :

• Accepts membership, in the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World, of the universities contained in the Document (FUIW/E.C.16/2011/4.1, adopted), annexed to the Final Report.
• Recommends the Secretary General of the Federation to pursue his efforts to invite other universities in the Islamic world to join the Federation.
• Agrees to submit this document to the Sixth General Conference of the Federation and recommends its adoption.

No: FUIW/E.C.16/2011/D. 5.1

The Executive Council :

• In compliance with Article (10) of the Rules of Procedure of the Federation’s Executive Council;
• Considering the kind invitation extended by the President of Naif Arab University for Security Sciences in Riyadh to host the coming session of the Council;
• Recalling the recommendation submitted by the 15th session of the executive council to the current session regarding the convening of the 17th session of the council at Naif Arab University for Security Sciences;

Decides the following :

• Holds the 17th Session of the Council at Naif Arab University for Security Sciences in 2012.
• Extends thanks to H.E. the President of Naif Arab University for Security Sciences for this kind invitation.