RIYADH, 21 June — In cooperation with the OIC’s Ministerial Committee for Science and Technology, the Jeddah-based Islamic Development Bank has launched a $2-million, five-year scholarship program for students in 18 least developed Islamic states.
Dr. Anwar Nasim, science adviser, announced the program as the executive committee of COMSTECH concluded its deliberations at King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology. “The recipients of this grant will study in more advanced states of the Muslim world,” he explained. The committee approved several projects for the year.
“The bank and the COMSTECH, through the cooperation of Stockholm-based International Foundation for Science (IFS), have extended 45 scholarships to young researchers from 19 Muslim states during the last three years,” said Nasim. “The total amount for such scholarships reaches $450,000.” He said his organization had set up several inter-Islamic information networks in the disciplines of biotechnology, oceanography and medicinal plants.
The bank, he noted, was to hold a two-day seminar in Islamabad on “Digital Divide in the Muslim World” from Nov. 4. “The ever-increasing need for computer literacy in the Islamic states will be discussed” at the seminar, he said. Responding to a question on the assistance received by his organization from the member states, Nasim said Saudi Arabia had been offering an annual grant of $90,000, adding that other major contributors were Oman, Kuwait and Syria.
