Saudi- Islamic universities to hold 6th Congress

(MENAFN- Arab News) Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, will host the 6th Congress of the Federation of the Universities of Islamic World (FUIW) in November under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah. FUIW Secretary General Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri recently announced that the federation will hold its 6th session at Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, on Nov. 26-28. Suleiman bin Abdullah Aba Al-Khail, rector of Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University, expressed his gratitude to the king for patronizing the congress. He noted that rectors and directors from more than 300 universities and scientific institutions, and members of the federation will attend the Congress. Al-Khail also thanked the rectors of the universities' and members of the FUIW for appointing him as chairman of the Executive Council of the federation. "I ask Allah Almighty for help and guidance to deliver this responsibility, serve the member universities, and give the FUIW its much deserved status," he said. He added: "I will strive to boost and expand cooperation among the member universities, toward further scientific development and greater global competitive edge." FUIW aims to help the member universities meet the challenges facing the Ummah at all levels and to enhance cooperation between the member universities, promote exchange of expertise, develop higher education and scientific research in Islamic universities, and to reap the benefits of latest advancements. The federation also seeks to entrench science and technology in the Islamic countries, build science-based societies and boost the member universities' competence in the fields of scientific research, knowledge integration, curricula development and quality culture dissemination. The agenda for the 6th congress includes accreditation of the Universities that joined the FUIW between the General Conference's 5th and 6th sessions, various reports on its activities during the intervening period, Islamic Virtual University and establishment of the League of Parallel Universities. The conference will also consider the Federation's new logo, which was approved by the Executive Council at its Universiti Teknologi Malaysia session in March this year. An extraordinary session of the Executive Council will be held on Nov. 24 to discuss a number of administrative and academic matters.