As part of his participation at the 8th Islamic Conference of Higher Education and Scientific Research Ministers at Bamako, Republic of Mali, H.E. Prof. Dr. Suliman Aba Al-Khail, Rector of Al-Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University and Chairman of the FUIW Executive Council, has recently attended the ministerial roundtable on “Modern Technology for Enhancing Higher Education and Scientific Research”.

The ministerial roundtable, which was held in the presence of several ministers and heads of delegations participating in the Conference and experts from the Member States, has chaired by Dr. Abdulaziz Othman Al-Twaijri, Director General of ISESCO.

In a word before the audience, H.E. the university Rector has acknowledged ISESCO and the Government of Mali for the extraordinary welcome and organizing of the conference. He, as well praised the continuous due care and support of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and H.R.H. Crown Prince Muhammad bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, and H.R.H. Prince Muhammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Crown Prince, to the higher education in Saudi Arabian Kingdom.

In a similar vein, Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Twaijri, Director General of ISESCO, has thanked H.E. the university Rector for his efforts and contributions to bring success to the conferences and academic gatherings of FUIW around the world.

On the roundtable significance, it sought to exchange ideas and information on the application of modern technologies for enhancing higher education and research, discuss the possibility of sharing cloud technology between the Member States, and explore the possibility of raising the level of higher education in science and technology in OIC Member States using Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). Other goals included exploring possibilities of communications and enhancing cooperation and collaboration among Member States to share benefit, learn from each other experiences and support excellence in higher education and research.

On the presentations during the roundtable, two academic presentations were made on “Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs): Opportunities and Challenges for Member States” and “Learning Management Systems: Tool for Enhancing Quality of Higher Education and Research”.

Discussions during this roundtable focused on introducing those modern technologies that can help increase quality of higher education and research in Member States. In coming decades, modern technologies will put education within the reach of many more individuals around the world, and will allow greater specialization in curriculum and teaching methodologies than before. Both speakers pointed out that MOOCs are becoming mainstream in Europe. Different independent studies show a strong MOOC involvement of higher education institutions (HEIs). At least about 40% of HEIs in Europe are having MOOCs or planning to develop MOOCs soon. Similarly, the application of Modern Technologies for quality higher education was elaborated.

Equally important, the speakers laid emphasis on the fact that the LMS system has a very strong capability of improving the quality of higher education from preparation to delivery and assessments. Policies and infrastructure of Member States regarding MOOCs and LMS would be required to address their concerns and priorities, particularly in terms of strategy, access, affordability, efficiency and effectiveness for quality higher education.