Proposed STI Initiatives for Sustainable Development in IsDB Member Countries

1. Proposed STI initiatives & strategic measures for IsDB scholarships programmes for promoting sustainable development in IsDB member countries - Associate Professor of biotechnology, National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt . - Consultant /adviser, Higher Education, Science, Technology & Innovation. - General Coordinator, IsDB Alumni & Science Development Network. Dr. WagdySawahel

2. Countries that are predominantly Muslim are characterized by: • Low spending on science • Small scientific communities • Poor-quality universities • Weak scientific productivity. • IsDB member countries account for : • - Just 2.4 per cent of global research expenditure • - Less than two per cent of the world’s scientists • - 1.6 per cent of patents • - 6 per cent of scientific publications • - Despite holding nearly a quarter of the world’s population, Muslim countries have an average of 5.7 citations per paper compared with 9.7 for South Africa and 13.8 for Israel.

3. - The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) is a multilateral development financing institution, established in 1975. • - It aims to foster economic development and social progress of its 57 member countries and Muslim communities in non-Member Countries in accordance with the principles of the Shari’a (Islamic law). • - Its mission is to promote comprehensive human development, with a focus on • - the priority areas of alleviating poverty, improving health, promoting education, • - improving governance and prospering the people.

4. - Based on the President’s Five-Year Program drawn from the Bank’s Ten-Year Strategic Framework, which aims to tackle numerous challenges across all socio-economic sectors in IsDB member countries using six key pillars including : • - Strategic communication model • - Establishing real and virtual platforms to forge partnerships in member countries and across the world • - Building a sustainable financial model based on self-financing • - Building capacities by accessing the knowledge of member country populations for producing development solutions that are based on the genuine root causes of problems • - Using crowdsourcing platforms to ensure speedy project implementation through real and virtual field presence at a very low cost. • - Adopting sustainable policies and supervisory mechanisms

5. Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) is…. • - A key enabler for sustainable socio-economic development which can serve as a catalyst for implementation of IsDB projects in MCs. • - STI can also offer a communication platform for knowledge capturing and sharing, both internally and externally, with MCs and other development partners.

6. Present STI initiatives at IsDB : • - The a US$500 million STI Fundlaunched in 2017 by IsDB provides support to develop innovative technology-based solutions for various development challenges facing MCs as well as generate public good by facilitating the commercialization of technology • - The STI Online Platform (Engage) connects scientists and innovators along with offering three main services including match-making, technology transfer and calls for innovation. IsDB innovate :Created by IsDB in partnership with Allied Crowds, …a crowdfunding platform to fund to support forward-thinking science, technology projects that take on the world’s biggest problems and support the SDGS.  • - Development of an STI Policy Framework, in collaboration with UNESCO, based on GO-SPIN "Global Observatory of Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Instruments" methodology - A tool to map national (STI) landscapes and analyse STI policies and their implementation. The open-access platform offers innovative databases with powerful graphic and analytical tools for the use of decision-makers, parliamentarians, universities, knowledge brokers, companies, specialists and the general public, with a complete set of diverse information on STI policies.

7. Proposed STI initiatives for promoting sustainable development in IsDB member countries : • Science policy making community : • - IsDB Virtual observatory for knowledge economy • - IsDB science center for parliamentarians • - IsDB Center for Science diplomacy • Business and academic community : • - IsDB intelligence system for promoting partnerships & alliance between industry and science-based private sector and higher education institutions in IsDB member countries. • - IsDB Virtual Intelligence System for Promoting Science & Technology Investment for Poverty Alleviation in IsDB Member Countries • Youth community • - IsDB virtual academy for producing employment - ready graduates • - IsDB digital forum for Muslim women in science-based sustainable development

8. IsDB Virtual observatory for knowledge economy (VOKE) : • VOKE will be …….. • - The source of information and performance indicators for universities, research centers, science cities, technological parks, incubators, smart cities and science-based companies as well as strategies for science, technology, innovation, higher education and knowledge economy in IsDB member countries. • - A repository of knowledge for higher education, science, technology, and innovation and knowledge economy in IsDB member countries" for promoting the development of innovation-based knowledge economy.

9. IsDB Center for Science diplomacy : • - Science diplomacy is an important new area of research and practice that fosters closer collaboration between science and diplomacy and seeks to create constructive international partnerships. • - However, no single science diplomacy center is located in IsDB member countries. As a result Arab foreign communities especially oil producing countries were in a big problem in the last climate change negotiations as well as natural resource treaties...etc.  • - Therefore, there is an urgent need for establishing IsDB Center for Science diplomacy for helping foreign policy communities with the knowledge and information on how to pursue bio-political goals through diplomatic channels.

10. IsDB Center for Science diplomacy will do the followings: • - Educating the next generation of science diplomats, generating academic work in the field of science diplomacy and providing leadership in supporting & developing science diplomacy networks. • - Promoting research on science diplomacy by policymakers, foreign policy academics community   • - Setting up a number of databases, e-libaray, guides and directories to help  members of foreign policy communities for creating action plan and strategies for using science diplomacy. • - Enhancing science-based foreign affairs action by training members of foreign policy communities in performing science-based negotiations to ensure that they exercise legislative control and contribute effectively in the discussions in formulating international science and technology-based treaties. • - Developing education courses as well as organizing workshops in science diplomacy to develop the scientific workforces in this recent field which foreign policy communities is in huge need for such a graduate to communicate the value of science diplomacy.

11. IsDB science center for parliamentarians : • - Given the socio-economic repercussions of legislation on technical and scientific issues as well as emerging trends in STI, parliamentarians need to be aware of the importance of STI policy for facilitating empowered, people-centered decision-making. • - Thus, most developed and industrial countries are providing science advice for its members of parliament. However, it is rarely to find even a unit within parliament in IsDB member countries that provide information, reports and studies dealing with technical and scientific issues.

12. The proposed IsDB science center for parliamentarians will provide information and research services in support of “evidence-based policy making” for the followings: • - Ministries of State for People's Assembly . • - Shura Council and house of parliaments in IsDB member countries. • - Arab parliament, Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union . • - Parliamentary Union of the IsDB Member States . • - Experts, researchers, scientists, technologists, students, science policy and decision makers .

13. The proposed center could do the following: • - Setting up a number of databases, e-libaray, guides and directories to help  members of parliament for creating science and technology-based legislation . • - Enhancing science-based parliamentary action by training parliamentarians, managers, decision-makers and government officials in to ensure that they exercise legislative control and contribute effectively to the development of S&T-related aspects of public policies as well as strengthening their capacities in policy-making. 

14. Business and academic community : • - IsDB intelligence system for promoting partnerships & alliance between industry and science-based private sector and higher education institutions in IsDB member countries. • - IsDB Virtual Intelligence System for Promoting Science & Technology Investment for Poverty Alleviation in IsDB Member Countries .

15. For innovation to take root, the "golden triangle" of …. • - Academic & research institutions • - Governments • - The private sector & industry …………must cooperate in doing business especially with common problems facing the IsDB member countries. • IsDB intelligence system for promoting partnerships & alliance between industry and science-based private sector and higher education institutions in IsDB member countries. • Aims : • - Facilitating innovations and the evolution of the region’s economy through building university-industry linkages. • - Helping in the creating of a dynamic innovation system. • - Supporting the creation and development of innovative, small and medium sized enterprises. • - Building strong, ongoing connections between researchers and industry as well as investors who can help to bring ideas, inventions and innovations to market, or otherwise into economically productive use.

16. These links could include the followings: • - Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) which represents the private sector of 57 member countries. • - The Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) . • - The Arab Union for Small Enterprises. • - Science cities, technological parks and smart cities.

17. IsDB intelligence system (INS) for promoting partnerships & alliance between industry and science-based private sector and higher education institutions in IsDB member countries. • - INS will act is a framework or network that brings universities and industries as well as Islamic business community to a platform to setup a win-win collaboration deals on various levels including training, jobs fairs, education, consultation, science–based business development and spin-off companies. • INS will include the followings: • - An online directory for science-based companies and small enterprises, science cities, technological parks and incubators, and smart cities along with their technical problems and professionals skills needed • - A database "Making the science work for Ummah`s needs" • - The database includes simple, cheap and effective scientific approaches relevant to solving problems in IsDB member countries and related to socio-economic development in Islamic world.

18. This intelligence system will help in the following: • - Knowing the talent gap for detecting fields of studies with the scholarships programmes. • - Helping IsDB scholars to prepare projects dealing with real problems within industrial sector. • Note: new types of fellowships could be envisaged including the following: • - “sandwich” PhD training programs (programs incorporating international and home-based study) for scholars from IsDB member countries • - Internships in companies or science city which can open up employment and entrepreneurial projects.

19. (2) IsDB Virtual Intelligence System for Promoting Science & Technology Investment for Poverty Alleviation in IsDB Member Countries : • - Although the 57 IsDB member countries include 26 of the world’s poorest nations, currently there is no organised, research and development (R&D) systems targeting poor in IsDB member countries. • This leads to the followings: • - Very often poor and marginalised people across IsDB member countries do not end up benefiting from S&T. • - Many innovations lack the follow-through needed to move science from lab to practice. • - We are in need of …………A good intelligence function depends on well-conceived procedures for gathering, mobilizing, evaluating, sorting and communicating information with the aim to convert it into knowledge that is relevant to the need of poor IsDB member countries.

20. - In line with IsDB adoption of 12 SDGs, it must focus on making science work for poor communities through innovative poverty reduction approaches to reach the poorest of the poor such as techonomics which could be considered as an ideal system for reducing the multidimensional phenomenon of poverty. • - Techonomics approach - which incorporates technology as a core driver of economic changes, and redefines the tools and strategies that can be adopted by firms, industries, or regions to improve competitive advantage and build success.

21. The main objective of the proposed project is the followings: • - Serving as the eyes and ears of the IsDB member countries on the latest technological developments to lay the foundations for science and technology-based "homegrown" entrepreneurial venture that represent an important way to build and sustain rural economy and a powerful tool in economic well-being of rural communities. • - Providing advice to governments, donors, policy makers and researchers about new approaches, ideas and technological innovations to develop easily adaptable technology in a cost-effective manner.

22. To achieve that : • - Establishing a mechanism for screening science and technology information and cooperate with the private sector to set up commercially viable science-based enterprises with the aim to create employment and reduce poverty in rural community. • - Undertaking research to study, develop, implement, commercialise and popularize innovative appropriate rural technologies with special emphasis on making traditional rural businesses more profitable and also on generating novel employment opportunities in rural areas to stimulate and support the development of micro, small and medium-size enterprises.

23. Examples of proposed programmes and activities include the followings: • - Technologies and Innovations Network for Poverty Reduction • - This network will be set up from Institutes of Appropriate Technology located at IsDB member countries along India-based Barefoot College that that was built for the upliftment of rural women through demystifying technology and put it to good use in the hands of poor communities…..in order to… • - Support, promote and develop indigenous knowledge, ideas and innovations, transfer and adapt technology already succeeding in a similar field and develop new technologies and innovations. • - Scientific research studies database • - It aims at finding technological approaches geared towards poverty reduction among the poor to be introduced as new ideas to donors, policy makers, and researchers to develop easily adaptable technology in a cost-effective. • - It will be developed by screening science and technology journals to identify innovative ideas and explore new models and approaches that are adapted to local conditions with the aim to reduce poverty and create employment chances. 

24. - E-library for STI for Poverty reduction . • - This collective library will include strategies, reports, studies and best practices in using STI in improving poor people's lives to help policy makers in IDB member countries to learn from other countries in formulating policies for building STI programmes for poverty reduction. • - Directory for science-based private sector . • - Scientific research studies documented in the database along with innovation ideas generated from Technologies and Innovations Network for Poverty Reduction will be promoted to the private sector for enhancing its investment in order to help poor communities gain access to effective technologies that will provide them with basic services – water, sanitation, housing, electricity, transport and food as well as protecting their health and environment from natural disasters and degradation.

25. NOTE: possible databases could be developed including : • - Inventors associations . • - Intellectual property right regulations . • - University-industry alliance . • - Guide for science think tank in IsDB member countries . • - Directory for poverty reduction strategies for IsDB member countries. • ==================================================== • Ask the experts : • - It will set up technological talent pool that include highly trained and talented professionals as well as eminent scientists, engineers and technologists who are working in scientific and technological approaches for poverty alleviation. • - Using the talent pool, "Ask the expert" section will provide service that will allow the potential investors and science-based private sector in IsDB member countries to get answers for questions related to science investment aspects and solutions for their technological problems, i.e. some thoughts of Technology Consultancy.

26. Exhibitions • - In abid to empower innovation for poverty alleviation, virtual or physical exhibitions would be organized for presenting models for scientific creative ideas that could be transformed into products and processes with the aim to create employment and reduce poverty. • - Workshops & training programmes & conferences . • - These activities could be organized at both virtual and physical level for demonstrating practical scientific ways, projects and ideas for facing poverty under local rural conditions in IsDB member countries.

27. Youth community • IsDB virtual academy for producing employment - ready graduates • IsDB digital forum for Muslim women in science-based sustainable development

28. IsDB virtual academy for producing employment - ready graduates • It will act as online knowledge transfer and dissemination clearinghouse "a repository of knowledge for developing higher education for employment" for • Facilitating knowledge and best-practice transfer from world-class and regional universities to higher education policy makers in IDB member countries • Serving universities to produce employable graduates and training university graduates to fit with market and industry needs through fostering entrepreneurship, innovation and technology-enabled value creation. • Setting up University- based career ready centers Or Career observatories as well as innovation & entrepreneurship centers

29. IsDB digital forum for Muslim women in science-based sustainable development • Despite the strong participation of women among those studying science at higher education institutions located in IsDB member countries, the overall participation of women scientists and engineers in the workforce continues to be very limited, and their scientific productivity and economic impact is low. • As women constitute half the intellectual potential of nations, IsDB must join forces with similar international and regional networks such as Arab Network of Science and Technology for Women, Islamic Network for Women Scientists and UN Advisory Board on Women and Science….to create IsDB forum to promote the role of Muslim women in sustainable development.

30. IsDB digital forum for Muslim women in science-based sustainable development could do the followings: • Promoting the role of Muslim women scientists in science and technology development. For examples, setting up "knowledge centres", where women scientists and engineers work with local people on technologies to meet local needs Or set up a new IsDB version for India-based Barefoot College that that was built for the upliftment of rural women through demystifying technology and put it to good use in the hands of poor communities.. • Encouraging Muslim women to apply more for regional awards and prizes, such as the Islamic Development Bank's Prize for Women's Contribution in Development. • Setting up a database of Muslim women scientists, organising training programmes and disseminating information about funding available for joint research projects. • Promoting the establishment of national committees for promoting the role of Muslim women in science and technology • Enhancing science education in schools for Muslim girls.

31. II. Strategic measures for enhancing the outcome of IsDB scholarships programmes Helping IsDB academic community to find worldwide suitable scholarships programmes by establishing (Worldwide scholarships information center for academic community in IsDB member countries.) • Establishing Foundation for supporting STI in IsDB member countries • Re-defining the purpose of scholarship programmes • Reviewing fields of studies to be based on real needs for IsDB member countries • Changing the name of the IsDB scholarship programmes to fit with its mission. • Developing new types of fellowships • Developing links between IsDB scholarship programmes and universities in IsDB member countries. • Preparing IsDB scholars for studying abroad. • Making use of scholarship programme outcome • Launching prizes for excellent IsDB graduate scholars • Promoting IDB scholars research work • Reviewing application and evaluation forms • Linking the scholarships committee with other STI committees and boards

32. The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) continues to support MCs in capacity building efforts through the provision of scholarships for qualified students in MCs to pursue higher education in recognized educational institutions. The Bank’s scholarship program is designed to build science based human capital competencies in MCs and other Muslim communities under the following sub-programs: Scholarship Program for Muslim Communities in non-Member Countries( SPMC);…… Offered about 16 thousands scholarships since inception in 1983. • MSc Scholarship Program in Science and Technology for Least Developed Member Countries; …..Offered 710 scholarships since inception in 1998. • Merit Scholarship Program for High Technology (MSP);…… Offered 1,201 scholarships since inception in 1992. • News Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development (ISFD) Scholarship Scheme for the LDMCs for Bachelors and Diploma courses… for the next ten years, starting from 2018 aiming at promoting entrepreneurships and reducing poverty. • Joint Programme with The World Academy of Science (TWAS) in Trieste, Italy for Sustainability Science, Technology and Innovation….

33. Helping IsDB academic community to find worldwide suitable scholarships programmes Due to scarcity of funds and owing to the high cost of studying abroad, possibilities in obtaining fellowships and scholarships in IsDB member countries are low. Fellowship seekers from IsDB member countries are encouraged to seek other sources of funding.  Thus, IsDB Must establish (Worldwide scholarships information center for academic community in IsDB member countries) as virtual educational services platform for students seeking fellowships and funding for studying abroad.  The proposed center will provide help for academic community to find worldwide suitable scholarships programme as well as other funding opportunities which will eventually contribute towards social, cultural and economic development of the IsDB member countries. • The funding opportunities will be classified according to its academic purposes including: Undergraduate university studies • Postgraduate studies (Master & doctoral degrees) • Post-doctoral research work • Visiting professorships • Research fund for carrying out research projects in Arab universities and research centers. • Financial aids for attending scientific events abroad including workshops, conference, symposium and training programmes.

34. Foundation for supporting STI in IsDB member countries Encouraging rich and public figures as well as companies in IsDB member countries for providing financial support and invest in what they can offer services to the academic and scientific community and building knowledge as well as sustainable development in the community. This type of contributions could be used for setting up research chairs, research centers and fellowships at the universities in IsDB member countries for enhancing research and knowledge and contributing to the development. • This suggestion is based on the fact that • Middle East gifts and contracts to US universities in 5-year period starting from 2011-2016 reached $ US 600 million from only 11 countries including Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, Pakistan and Turkey along with Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain., 2018 report published by The Daily Caller • Africa, as an example, is home to a growing number of super-rich individuals who have the potential to make their mark in the development of higher education, scientific research and innovation, i.e. can we have equivalent of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation? • According to figures unveiled in the April 2017 Africa Wealth Report prepared by AfrAsia Bank in Mauritius, Africa has approximately 145,000 high net worth individuals, with combined wealth holdings of approximately US$800 billion. This number of HNWIs is expected to rise by 36% over the next 10 years, reaching approximately 198,000 by 2026. According to the report there are 7,010 multimillionaires living in Africa with a total individual wealth amounting to US$ 2.2 trillion. Some of the African countries with the highest number of wealthiest individuals are IsDB such as Egypt, Nigeria, Morocco and Algeria.

35. Re-defining the purpose of scholarship programmes • IsDB scholarship programmes must follow outcome approach for promoting the development of knowledge-based economy in IsDB member countries. • Thus, IsDB scholarship programmesshould not support academic or basic research which could be funded by other academic and scientific organizations. • However, it should focus on the followings: • Research projects dealing with problem-solving and direct developmental impact • Producing scientific workforces needed for the present and future labor market

36. Reviewing fields of studies to be based on real needs for IsDB member countries • To achieve that the following needs to be done: • Carrying out need analysis to select Sustainability Science fields that could support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in IsDB member countries. • Analyzing higher education, science, technology, innovation and knowledge strategies for IsDB member countries. • Performing talent shortage survey in relevant organisations in IsDB member countries such as science-based companies, science cities, technology parks etc. • Benefitting from ;;;;;; Initiatives targeting Business and academic community • IsDB intelligence system for promoting partnerships & alliance between industry and science-based private sector and higher education institutions in IsDB member countries. • IsDB Virtual Intelligence System for Promoting Science & Technology Investment for Poverty Alleviation in IsDB Member Countries

37. Changing the name of the IsDB scholarship programmes • To fit with the fields of study, the name of the IsDB scholarship programmescould be changed to: • IsDBSustainability Science fellowships programmes, Or • IsDB knowledge economy for sustainable development fellowships programmes. • Thus, the name will be in focus and very well informed

38. Developing new types of fellowships • This could include the following: • “sandwich” PhD training programs (programs incorporating international and home-based study) for scholars from IsDB member countries • Internships in companies or science city which can open up employment and entrepreneurial projects.

39. Developing links between IsDB scholarship programmes and universities in IsDB member countries. • This is to do the followings: • Enhancing the economy of IsDB member countries • While foreign students contribute US$186 million to Egypt, international students currently contribute nearly US$30 billion to the United Kingdom in addition to providing skills. In the United States, the contribution is US$33 billion, according to the Association of International Educators known as NAFSA. • Arab studentsconstituted nearly 10 percent of total enrollments of international students at U.S. colleges and universities during the 2014-2015 academic year and contributed just under $3 billionto the economy, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. • Study abroad is similar to tourism as it is the only export consumed 100% domestically. For every dollar spent by a tourist within the industry for accommodation and transport, three to ten dollars are spent in the local economy. The industry generates much needed foreign exchange and shifts perceptions about entire countries in global markets. • Thus, IsDB scholarship programmes must be linked to universities in IsDB member countries when possible.

40. Protecting students from Islamophobia • A third of Muslim students have experienced abuse or crime at their place of study in the UK, with most victims believing it was motivated by Islamophobia, according to 2017 UK-based National Union of students survey. • On the streets, one in three feel fairly or very worried about being physically or verbally abused. For hijab-wearing women or those in clothing that makes them ‘identifiably Muslim’, this fear is several times more. • United States president Donald Trump’s travel ban on Muslim-majority countries, including Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Iran, Syria and Yamen is a blow for students and academics.

41. Allowing IsDB scholars to study in any scientific field needed • Access to knowledge is controlled by those who own it. For Muslim students, not all scientific fields could be studies abroad. • "In addition, Individuals who are planning to study certain fields that are considered “sensitive” (mainly science and technology areas) are subject to additional security background checks at the time that they apply for a visa, but once they are approved for a visa they can continue on to study the field. ", according to AMIDEAST

42. Fighting brain drain • Muslim countries should harness their huge diaspora and support collaboration between their expatriate and local scientists • In the last 50 years, huge numbers of intellectuals have migrated from the Muslim world to industrialised countries. Studies estimate the number is almost 500,000 from the Arab world alone, comprising a third of the entire diaspora of professionals from developing countries to the West. • While doctors form about half of this exodus, scientists account for about 15 per cent.

43. Thus, to promote the developing links between IsDB scholarship programmes and universities in IsDB member countries, the following initiatives should be formulated : • Ranking of universities in IsDB member countries • Guide for research centers in IsDB member countries • Directory for IsDB science, technology and innovation prizes for institutes • Since 2002, the prizes have been awarded to institutions in Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Egypt, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Morocco, Pakistan, Palestine, Senegal, Sudan, Tajikistan and Turkey. • Database for supervisors in universities in IsDB member countries • Database for Muslim scientists abroad

44. Preparing IsDB scholars for studying abroad. • IsDB scholars must be prepared to study abroad to optimise learning opportunities at foreign universities and to serve as IsDB ambassadors. • Apart from academic-related issues, IsDB scholars must go through comprehensive preparation and orientation, both in-person and online, which would cover topics ranging from health and safety to cultural, social and language awareness. • Issues of women and topics such as the hijab and perceived gender oppression are commonly used against Muslim women students and may sometimes be used to encourage, directly or indirectly, retaliation against their governments, which in most cases have a political motivation. • In fact, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation has released a number of reports warning students about the dangers of becoming a foreign spy while studying abroad. These include Safety and Security for US Students Traveling Abroad, The Key to US Student Safety Overseas and National Security Concerns for Study Abroad Students.

45. Making use of scholarship programme outcome • At present, the programme has been focusing on awarding the scholarships and measuring its impact by the number of scholars selected-graduated and number of countries and institutions benefited. • However, measuring the programme impact by following the graduated IDB scholars to know whereabouts and their utilization is not the right way to follow. • The scientific and economic impactshould be measured by the work which they have done during their fellowship and how we can transform it into viable development projects as well as its impact on development. • Thus, exhibitions for demonstrating the results of IsDB graduates projects and ideas as well as presenting models that could be transformed into products and process by for investors and private sector must be organized with the aim for promoting industrial development in IDB member countries.

46. Activating IsDB scholars and graduates association in IsDB member countries • Service learning • Combining higher education with community engagement equips students to be agents of change. Through their education, students learn to think critically, be politically aware, grow social capital, and raise the resources their communities need to develop and progress. • IsDB should encourages students to volunteer and apply their knowledge in their communities. In what is known as ‘service learning’ IsDB scholars could formally volunteer, do self-organized community work, set up community-based protection projects, actively participate in projects run by IsDB or partners, or work.

47. Launching prizes for IsDB graduate scholars • To encourage IsDB graduate scholars, prizes could be set up for them, including the following: • The Best Master thesis for the year • The Best Ph.D. thesis of the year • The title (IsDB science ambassador) • Innovator for the year for best applied work of postdoctoral work.

48. For example, the Study UK Alumni Awards were developed by the British Council and UK universities, and were launched by the British Council in September 2014. They are open to alumni currently residing in any country outside the UK, who have studied in the UK, at an officially recognised provider of UK university degree level study for a minimum of a term or semester, or who have been awarded a full UK degree level qualification (or higher), by a UK university, within the last 15 years.  • All applications are assessed based on the level of impact, strength of UK influence and potentiality of each success story to inspire. • Award winners and finalists are leaders in their fields who have used their experience of studying at a UK university to make a positive contribution to their communities, professions and countries. The Alumni Awards celebrate and showcase the impact and value of a UK higher education and raises the profile and reputation of UK alumni, their former universities, and the whole of UK education.  • Winners win a trip to the UK to enhance their international and professional network, connect with their alumni and raise the profile of their institution. 

49. Awards are presented in three categories:  • Professional Achievement Award • Recognises alumni who have distinguished themselves through exemplary leadership and achievements in their professional industry, and who can demonstrate the scale of their achievements and how they have made a strong and positive difference to their profession and society.  • Entrepreneurial Award • Successful applicants in this category will be active in initiating, or contributing to, innovative new business opportunities with strong growth prospects.  • Social Impact Award  • The Social Impact Award acknowledges alumni who have made an exceptional contribution and commitment to creating positive social change and improving the lives of others.  

50. Promoting IDB scholars work • After approving the final selection for scholarship, an annual book for IDB scholarships winners could be prepared. • The proposed book will contain the winners of the scholarships and their proposed research projects and may entitled: IDB merit scholarships programme : winners and their problem-solving research projects. • It could include a brief CV for the winners and research projects and its role in sustainable development of IDB member countries. • This book will be very important as it indicates the role of IDB in the human, socioeconomic and scientific development of IDB member countries. In addition, it will help in the networking process between the scholarships winners and other scientists in the Muslim world. • Success stories of IsDB graduate scholars