SESRIC organised a virtual Workshop on “Key Challenges and Opportunities in the Utilisation of Emerging Technologies,” in collaboration with the Standing Committee for Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH), the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM), on 25-26 March 2025 within the framework of Digital Transformation Capacity Building (DIGI-CaB) Programme.

The workshop aimed to enhance the understanding of emerging technologies, promote continuous adaptation to rapid technological change, and explore opportunities for innovation and value creation through emerging technologies among OIC countries. It was benefitted by 165 experts and executives from the relevant ministries and national institutions in 37 OIC Member Countries.

The following key topics were specifically covered during the workshop:

• Emerging and Disruptive Technologies (EDTs) – A Dilemma by Prof. Dr. Yasar AYAZ, Director of National Center for AI, National University of Science & Technology (NUST), Pakistan.
• Integration and Scalability of Emerging Technologies by Prof. Dr. Zia Mohy Ud DIN, Chair of Biomedical Engineering Department, Air University Islamabad, Pakistan.
• Maximising Societal Benefits of Emerging Technologies by Dr. Azhar IMRAN, Program Lead (AI), Air University Islamabad, Pakistan.
• Cooperation and Partnership for Sustainable Development under IsDB’s Technology Deployment Cooperation Program (TDCP) by Mr. Nedal Ali, Senior Technology Deployment Specialist, IsDB.
• Technology Risk Management and Cyber Resilience: Legal and Shari'ah Perspective by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Marhanum bint Che Mohd SALLEH, Academician, Dept. Finance, and Dr. Mohamed Aslam AKBAR, Academician, Dept. Economics; Kulliyah of Economics and Management Sciences, IIUM.

SESRIC launched the Digital Transformation Capacity Building (DIGI-CaB) Programme in 2024 to contribute to the efforts of OIC Member Countries in navigating the domain of digital transformation. The programme facilitates the transfer, sharing, and exchange of knowledge, experiences, and best practices among the member countries, addressing the unique challenges and opportunities presented by digitalisation.

For more information about SESRIC Digital Transformation Capacity Building (DIGI-CaB) Programme, please visit: https://www.sesric.org/digi-cab.php

The presentations of the workshop are available here.

For more information about SESRIC Capacity Building Programmes, please visit: https://www.sesric.org/tcd-cab.php.

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