MSTF acts toward goals of OIC STI Agenda 2026
Declaration of the second OIC Summit on Science and Technology was recently issued, focusing on “Science, Technology, and Innovation: Opening New Horizons”.
MSTF Media reports:
Recently, representatives of the Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), during a virtual gathering for the second OIC Summit on Science and Technology, reviewed the implementation of the OIC STI Agenda 2026.
By developing various scientific programs, the Mustafa Science and Technology Foundation (MSTF) is taking steps toward the goals of the OIC STI Agenda 2026.
In this agenda, the development of science and technology and working for “revitalizing Islam’s pioneering role in the world” is brought up as a crucial point. The MSTF awards the Mustafa Prize biennially to accredit the top researchers and scientists of the Islamic world. As head of the Mustafa Prize Policy-making Council noted in the 11th meeting of the Council, “this prize shows the Islamic world’s scientific potential to the world.”
Constructive cooperation of the OIC Member States in different fields such as science and technology, innovation, health, environment, and women empowerment is another issue highlighted in the agenda. It stresses the need for collaborative research in addition to sharing knowledge and experience to address water-related challenges in the OIC Member States. Moreover, the need for cooperation in the field of energy is regarded pivotal.
Science and Technology Exchange Program (STEP), a platform organized by the MSTF to expand the scientific network in the Islamic world, has focused on the above-mentioned fields during the past seven STEP summits. Health, People and the Environment, Water and Energy Nexus, and Women in Science and Technology are some of the topics, around which summits were held within the framework of STEP. In fact, STEP aims at laying the groundwork for fostering scientific synergy and cooperation among scientists and scholars of the Islamic world through holding international scientific events.
In the OIC STI Agenda 2026, it is acknowledged that the promotion of science and technology is of high importance in “addressing the contemporary challenges” such as human health. Regarding this issue, the COVID-19 pandemic is specifically pointed to in that it highlighted the importance of global cooperation in adopting scientific-based solutions in dealing with any complex global crisis. According to the agenda, it is crucial not only to use the lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic for “future cooperation between research, development, and innovation institutions” at national and international levels in the face of future pandemics but also to establish an effective platform for “sharing of real-time information and knowledge”, which “will lead to improved strategies and actions for preventing, responding, and controlling future health emergencies.”
The MSTF held a two-day virtual STEP focusing on Scientific and Technological Collaboration Facing Coronavirus Challenges in May 2020, during which scientists from around the world gathered to share their COVID-19 experiences. As one of the speakers of the 7th STEP summit, Ugur Sahin, a 2019 Mustafa Prize laureate, prior to announcing the high efficacy of his Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, had a virtual speech on how mRNA Coronavirus vaccine works. Furthermore, the Science Promotion Meeting is a platform created by the MSTF to gather experts to discuss topics such as COVID-19 vaccine development, different methods of vaccine development, diagnostic tools for COVID-19, etc.
Regarding capacity-building as another objective of the OIC STI Agenda 2026, the MSTF has organized Noor School Student Competition, in which students compete in producing short videos on different scientific topics, as well as Knowledge Application and Notion for Society (KANS) Scientific Competition, which is held among young scientists, researchers, and technologists under the age of 45.
Funding research and technology has received special attention in this agenda. In conformity with this goal, it is worth mentioning the efforts the MSTF has made in cultivating the culture of endowment in science and technology. The Mustafa Prize Investment and Endowment Fund (MPIEF) has been created to finance the Mustafa Prize and develop science and technology in the Islamic world enjoying the honorable tradition of endowment. In line with this goal, the Khadem Al-Mustafa Community, known as “pioneers of endowment development to science and technology”, has been formed, which is taking giant steps to promote the level of science and technology in the Islamic world and to help achieve prosperity, security, and health worldwide. Adopting the motto of “Each Muslim One Share to Develop Science and Technology”, this community follows the mission of developing the good tradition of endowment and appreciating the great efforts of the Holy Prophet’s devoted followers.
In 2016, Mustafa prize was appreciated in the resolution of the 15th Session of COMSTECH General Assembly Meeting by the science ministers of OIC member states.
