The Road to the SDGs

PURPOSE X Since IsDB launched its Scholarship Programme in 1983, over 18,000 men and women from 56 MCs and 67 Muslim communities in non-MCs have received scholarships in various disciplines relevant to sustainability sciences. X Despite the deep impact of the Programme on the lives of the beneficiaries, its footprint has not expanded as expected due to marketing and targeting issues. METHOD X To encourage the acquisition and transfer of science and technological knowledge and expertise to MCs, IsDB has concluded cooperation agreements with top universities to ensure high quality education for its students and scholars at affordable cost. X Fields of study have been revisited to address critical challenges with direct relevance to sustainability issues. The Programme is now focused on development-related fields, particularly sustainability sciences to empower communities and MCs to achieve the objectives of the SDGs and IsDB’s P5P. X IsDB has established two new international selection committees comprising 16 external eminent academicians and scientists active in fields related to sustainable development in MCs and Muslim communities in non-MCs. X Islamic finance, economics, finance and banking, international economics, journalism, political sciences, law, intellectual property and entrepreneurship have been included as subjects for the first time. All study programmes have been expanded to assist students from non-MCs as well as MCs X The application selection process is managed by two independent international committees, for the undergraduate and postgraduate programmes respectively, specialised in their fields to encourage greater community participation, ensure a more transparent process and identify candidates with the highest potential. X Female students’ participation is being enhanced in all programmes to achieve SDG 5 (gender equality). X A new joint financing scholarship programme funded by the ISFD has been launched, aimed at reducing poverty and targeted at LDMCs. The programme provides educational opportunities to young men and women to pursue technical vocational education and training (TVET). X To help MCs attain the SDGs, IsDB has established a partnership with the World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) in T hrough its Scholarship Programme, IsDB is helping MCs and Muslim communities in non-MCs close the human capital gap to expand their participation in global markets Revolutionising the Scholarship Programme Demand for further education has never been stronger in IsDB’s MCs and Muslim communities in non-MCs [ 126 ] SDGs