Islamic countries must increase scientific research funds

Islamic countries have to back higher education and promote scientific research through increased funds, said Moroccan minister of higher education and scientific research Najib Zerouali.

In the opening session Monday of the first Islamic conference of higher education and scientific research ministers in Riyadh, Zerouali urged Moslem countries to provide universities with information technologies, fight illiteracy and involve scientists in the decision-making process.

The minister also called for more inter-Islamic cooperation saying more investments should be made in human resources if living standards are to be raised.

The conference staged by the Islamic, educational, scientific and cultural organization (ISESCO) and the Saudi higher education department is debating an ISESCO report on facts about higher education in the Islamic world and a similar document compiled by the Islamic World University Federation.