ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s national space agency, the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), has signed a memorandum of agreement with the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) to promote space science education in the South Asian nation, the ICESCO chief said on Monday.

ICESCO, headquartered in Rabat, Morocco, is an intergovernmental organization established in 1982 to promote cooperation in the fields of education, science, and culture among the 54 member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Its objectives include enhancing scientific and technical cooperation, promoting Islamic culture and heritage, and facilitating human resource development in science and technology.

“We have signed today [Monday] a memorandum of understanding with SUPARCO,” director general of ICESCO, Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, told Arab News in an interview on Monday, saying the agreement aimed to promote space science education among young Pakistanis “to make them able to compete with the world.”

“The MOU will also focus on applications of space science in climate change, and jointly arranging different activities in Pakistani institutions regarding providing space program related trainings and introducing university graduates in this field with the latest technologies.”

The ICESCO chief said the body wanted its member states to remain aware of important developments in space science because “in my opinion in the coming 10 years, those who will control space will control the world.”

“We at ICESCO would be very happy to collaborate with Pakistani institutions [and] would welcome them to be part of our youth programs announced from time to time.”

Speaking about the ICESCO’s “wash program” for the improvement of water, sanitation and hygiene services, Al-Malik said it had been extended to Pakistani schools after a successful run in Africa.

“Wash program has been implemented in different countries in Africa and has shown success in close to 500 schools there,” he said.

“Now, we are shifting into Asia and Pakistan is one of the countries [where] we have started it by providing clean water and hygiene facilities in 30 schools in different parts of the country.”

The ICESCO chief also spoke about the role of Saudi Arabia, the largest contributor to the education body, in promoting science, and culture across the Muslim world.

“Saudi Arabia is the main supporter of ICESCO, as ten percent of our budget comes from the Kingdom,” Al-Malik said.

Along with the annual budget, the Kingdom also provided extra funds to the organization, enabling it to promote education and preserve cultural heritage in the Muslim world, the official said.

“It is not just only the 10 percent but the extra budget that we receive, the major bulk of that extra budget comes from Saudi Arabia.”