ENHANCING ECONOMIC COOPERATION AMONG MUSLIM COUNTRIES - THE ROLE OF THE OIC

Prof. Dr. Ihsanoglu was founder and chairman of the Department of History of Science at the Faculty of Letters of Istanbul University from 1984 to 2000. He is also the founding Chairman of the Turkish Society for History of Science (TBTK), the Foundation for Research on Islamic History, Art and Culture (ISAR) and the Research Centre for Islamic History, Culture and Arts (IRCICA). Prof. Dr. Ihsanoglu is the first by-vote-elected Secretary General of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC). He has received several awards including “Medal of Glory” by the President of Azerbaijan, “Medal of Distinction of the First Order” by the President of Egypt, “Independence Medal of the First Order” by the King of Jordan, “Medal of Glory” by the President of Russia, “Commandeur de l’Ordre National bu Mérite” and “Commandeur de l’Ordre National du Lion” by the President of Senegal and “Medal of Distinguished State Service” by the President of Turkey. He also received “The World Prize for the Book of the Year” from the President of Iran in 2000.