As well as being a science advisory body of the OIC, the IAS combines three other functions.
Firstly, it is a learned society that promotes the values of modern science, honors high achievement and disseminates scientific breakthroughs through meetings and publications.
Secondly, it is a forum where science and scientific issues are debated. The IAS also leads the scientific community of the OIC in its relations with societies, governments and academies of sciences worldwide.
Thirdly, it is an academic repository of the history of science – particularly in the context of the Islamic civilization – as many of its Fellows and associates are noted experts in this field.
It is moreover a facilitating agency that supports the best OIC individuals to undertake imaginative and far-reaching research.
In short, the IAS has been designated by many as the voice of science and technology in the Islamic world.
VISION
IAS’s main purpose is to increase interaction among scientists from member states of the OIC and facilitate the exchange of views on the major contemporary issues affecting the development of the Islamic world.
MISSION
IAS’s mission is to provide a dynamic institutional set up that can assist in the utilisation of science and technology for the general development of Islamic countries and humanity at large.
OBJECTIVES
The main objectives of the IAS are to:
(1) To serve as an advisory and consultative organization of the institutions and organizations of Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and other countries and communities requiring its advice and guidance on matters related to the field of science and technology as well as their applications;
(2) To initiate scientific and technological programs and activities in science and technology, and to encourage co-operation among research workers and groups in various Islamic countries on problems and projects of common interest;
(3) To encourage and promote research on major problems of importance facing Islamic countries and to identify future technologies of relevance for possible adoption, adaptation, and utilization;
(4) To formulate standards of scientific performance and attainment, and to award prizes, medals, fellowships, distinctions, and honors for outstanding scientific achievements; and
(5) To promote continuing education and training courses to enhance capacity building of human resources with certification.
Historical Background
The establishment of the IAS was recommended by the OIC Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Co-operation (COMSTECH) and approved by the Fourth Islamic Summit of OIC Heads of State, held in Casablanca, Morocco, in 1984. The Academy, which commenced its activities in 1986, thirty-eight eminent scientists and academicians from various Islamic countries were invited to Amman (Jordan), to lay the constitutional and academic foundation of the Islamic World Academy of Sciences, as the Founding Fellows of the IAS. The Founding Conference was patronized by His Royal Highness Prince El-Hassan Ibn Talal of Jordan. Prince El-Hassan bin Talal and President of Pakistan (then was the late Zia-ul-Haque) were unanimously nominated as Patrons of the IAS.
The IAS is an independent body that enjoys international status comparable to other international learned bodies of a similar nature throughout the world.
Today, the IAS boasts a membership of 97 Fellows who represent the scientific elite of OIC countries and communities worldwide. It used to have 3 Nobel Laureates, two of them had passed away, the Mustafa Prize Laureates as well as a number of top business leaders and scientists across the OIC countries among its select group of Honorary Fellows.
فضلا عن كونها هيئة استشارية علمية لمنظمة التعاون الإسلامي، تقوم الأكاديمية بأربع وظائف رئيسية أخرى
اولاً، تؤدي الأكاديمية دور جمعية للمفكرين والعلماء تسعى جاهدة لنشر مفاهيم العلوم الحديثة وتكريم الانجازات العلمية كما تنشر أخبار المنجزات العلمية من خلال المؤتمرات والمطبوعات
ثانياً، تعتبر منتدى متخصصاً في البحث في قضايا العلوم والتكنولوجيا المعاصرة، حيث تقود الأكاديمية المجتمع العلمي في دول منظمة التعاون الإسلامي في علاقاته مع الجمعيات العلمية والحكومات وأكاديميات العلوم في العالم
ثالثاً، تعد الأكاديمية مرجعياً مهماً في مجال تاريخ العلوم, وخصوصا تاريخ العلوم في الحضارة الاسلامية لأن عددا من أعضاء الأكاديمية وأصدقائها خبراء مرموقون في هذا المجال
وتعتبر الأكاديمية جهة داعمة للباحثين في دول منظمة التعاون الاسلامي، وتسعى الى تمكينهم من إجراء البحوث المبتكرة رفيعة المستوى. كما اختيرت الأكاديمية من قبل العديد لتكون صوتاً للعلوم والتكنولوجيا في العالم الإسلامي