UM6P's Science Week Hopes to Transform, Morocco onto Scientific Hub
Ben Guerir – Morocco's Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) is gearing up for its fifth annual Science Week, a landmark event that reflects the country's growing scientific prowess and its vision for the future.
The event's organizers held a press conference today to share the passionate vision for this scientific gathering, with its kickoff scheduled for tomorrow until February 23.
Science Week seeks to stand as proof of Morocco's growing influence in global science, turning the country from a follower into a leader in scientific research and innovation, they said.
Fouad Laroui, Scientific Director of Science Week, spoke with excitement and belief as he introduced the event, noting it will bring together renowned scientists from around the world at UM6P's Benguerir campus. Fouad Laroui, Scientific Director of Science Week
Speaking of the welcoming atmosphere at UM6P, Laroui said: 'When I became a professor here in 2020, I found something special – when you come up with an idea, people don't try to block you. Instead, they say 'Go for it.''
As 'science faces threats today,' Science Week is an opportunity to face today's 'social media spreading alternative facts, [and] stand up for real science,' he explained.
He also shed light on the top researchers that the event will bring together, who he said usually keep a low profile. 'If you saw these scientists on a train or at the beach, you wouldn't notice them. But they rank among the top 1% of scientists worldwide in their fields,' Laroui said.
Science Week, Morocco's shift from technical knowledge to scientific expertise
Laroui noted that the scientific gathering will be an opportunity to illustrate Morocco's advancement in different fields of science.
'During the last two centuries, whenever we needed science, we went to get it from Europe or the United States,' Laroui explained, adding that 'now we're building a class of high-level scientists in Morocco.'
'Sometimes they're here, sometimes they're abroad as affiliated professors, but these are the people who can, in certain fields – why not phosphates? Phosphates are our domain. We should be the ones with this knowledge.'
Laroui shared a story from his early days as an engineer at Morocco's phosphate company, when two French experts came to educate Moroccans about explosives but ended up learning from local workers instead.
'This shows how we often underestimate ourselves,' he said. 'Back then, we had technical knowledge. Today, we have scientific experts.'
Read also: Morocco's Renaissance of Hospitality: Students Shine at UM6P Networking Forum
Science Week's rich program
Science Week 2025 will feature discussions on artificial intelligence, sustainable agriculture, future careers, and the intersection of science, ethics, and philosophy.
Big names will attend, including Jacob Jones, a world expert on phosphorus, and Edward Bugnion, who helped create VMware.
Organized under the theme 'Shaping the Future,' this fifth edition of Science Week will explore how science and innovation can shape tomorrow's world.
Laroui wants students to explore beyond their usual subjects. 'If you study architecture, go see what computer scientists are doing. If you're in computing, visit the medical faculty,' he encouraged.
The event also shows how Morocco's role in Africa has significantly evolved since its triumphant return to the African Union in 2017.
'We're not here to teach other African countries – we're here to work with them,' Laroui noted. Students from Ivory Coast and Nigeria will speak at the opening ceremony about their experiences at UM6P.
'Each year, 20 to 30 professionals work hard to make Science Week happen,' Laroui added. 'Thanks to this team, we've reached our fifth edition, and we hope it will be even better than previous years.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Ya Biladi
2 days ago
- Ya Biladi
Doctoral candidates shine in Marrakech's «My Thesis in 180 Seconds» competition
On Tuesday in Marrakech, around 12 doctoral candidates competed in the final round of the 2025 edition of «My Thesis in 180 Seconds», organized by Cadi Ayyad University (UCA). These finalists were selected from about sixty doctoral students who initially expressed interest in the competition and received training focused on personal development, scientific rigor, and enhancing the value of their research. This support helped the young researchers strengthen their skills in synthesis, eloquence, and scientific communication. During the final, each participant delivered a three-minute presentation in French to a diverse audience, accompanied by a single slide. The challenge of the competition lies in presenting complex research clearly, concisely, and convincingly in simple terms. To help the candidates succeed, UCA's Doctoral Studies Center, along with several trainers, provided guidance throughout the process. At the conclusion of the competition, two candidates were chosen to represent Cadi Ayyad University at the national final later this month. The winner of the national final will qualify for the international final, scheduled for September 30th in Romania. Organized to popularize and promote scientific culture among the general public, the international Francophone competition «My Thesis in 180 Seconds» (MT180S) aims to strengthen young researchers' scientific and interpersonal communication skills. The contest is open to doctoral candidates from all disciplines who are currently enrolled or have defended their thesis during the academic year.
Morocco World
27-05-2025
- Morocco World
New Farming Method Saves Bees While Boosting Income in Morocco's Oases
Rabat — A French researcher has developed an innovative approach to protect bees in Morocco's threatened oases ecosystems while helping farmers increase their revenue. Patrick Lhomme, who specializes in bee ecology, also known as pollination ecology, delivered a presentation of his findings during the second day of the second International Congress on Oases and Date Palm, held May 22-23 in Ouarzazate. In an interview with Morocco World News (MWN), Lhomme explained his research findings. 'Bees contribute around 80 to 90% of the pollination service,' he told MWN, explaining that traditional conservation efforts require farmers to plant wildflowers, but most of them 'don't like wildflowers because they are afraid that it will invade their crops.' His team took a different approach, working with the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), the National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA), and the National Office for Agriculture Counseling (ONCA). Dual benefits Working with ICARDA, INRA, and ONCA, Lhomme developed a system where farmers plant crops that attract pollinators while generating income. The team tested this method with 300 farmers across different Moroccan agricultural systems, including oases in Errachidia and the Rif mountains. The results showed dual benefits. 'This approach protects pollinator[s] but also reduces pests,' Lhomme said. Not only do many pollinators like wasps and flies pollinate plants, but they also hunt harmful insects to feed their larvae, creating natural pest control. This approach is designed to help oases eliminate harmful insects, thus contributing to their productivity. Critical for survival Oases face unique threats from climate change. These isolated desert environments contain species found nowhere else, but insects 'cannot really go out of these oases' when conditions worsen, Lhomme explained. 'They have no way to escape from these places.' The solution centers on providing what bees need most: food and nesting sites. 'Flowers are what bees eat,' Lhomme said. 'If you want to protect bees, you have to recreate the habitat.' Farmer-centered success The approach succeeds because it aligns economic incentives with environmental protection. Rather than asking farmers to sacrifice productive land, it helps them earn money while preserving unique biodiversity. This model offers hope for Morocco's oases, demonstrating that conservation and economic development can work together to preserve these irreplaceable desert ecosystems. The two-day event brought together international researchers to deliver their findings to decision-makers in a way to contribute to reducing the effects of climate change challenges on oases. Read also: Morocco-UAE Partnership Strengthens Date Palm Industry Development Tags: beesMoroccan oasesMoroccoOases and climate change
Morocco World
23-05-2025
- Morocco World
Morocco's ANDZOA Chief Calls for Urgent Action to Protect Argan, Oases Ecosystems
Ouarzazate — As Morocco grapples with the mounting impacts of climate change, the National Agency for the Development of Oasis and Argan Zones (ANDZOA) is sounding the alarm about the urgent need to protect two of the country's most fragile yet economically vital ecosystems. In an interview with Morocco World News (MWN), ANDZOA Director Latifa Yaacoubi painted a stark picture of the challenges facing Morocco's argan forests and oasis communities, while outlining her agency's comprehensive strategy to build resilience against an uncertain climatic future. 'Climate change is truly a scourge in these two ecosystems – argan and oases,' Yaacoubi said. 'We experience it, we observe it in the field, as does the local population living in these two ecosystems.' Since its establishment in 2012, ANDZOA has been tasked with what Yaacoubi describes as the delicate balance of 'reconciling two essential objectives.' The agency promotes sustainable development while preserving these unique biospheres that are home to millions of Moroccans and represent significant economic potential for the country. A collaborative approach to conservation ANDZOA's mission extends beyond direct intervention to fostering collaboration across Morocco's research and academic institutions. Rather than conducting research independently, ANDZOA works closely with partners, including the National Institute of Agricultural Research (INRA), the Hassan II Agronomic and Veterinary Institute (IAV), and various universities to establish priority research programs. 'We must accompany and support scientific research with our partners,' Yaacoubi explained, stressing the importance of ensuring that research outcomes directly complement the agency's development programs on the ground. This collaborative spirit extends to ANDZOA's signature events, including the International Argan Congress, held every two years since 2011, and the International Dates Food Salon, which incorporates a significant scientific component. The agency is now planning to establish a dedicated scientific event for date palms, alternating with the argan congress every two years. Climate projections paint troubling picture The urgency of ANDZOA's mission becomes clear when considering the climate projections for Morocco's southern regions. Yaacoubi outlined a troubling forecast of 'less rainfall, fewer water resources, and increasingly rising temperatures' — conditions that will only compound the existing vulnerability of these delicate ecosystems. 'The fragility of these ecosystems makes them even more vulnerable and also makes the local population more vulnerable,' she noted. This vulnerability creates a cascading effect where environmental degradation directly threatens the livelihoods of communities that have depended on these ecosystems for generations. Prevention over reaction Perhaps most critically, Yaacoubi spoke of ANDZOA's strategy that centers on anticipation rather than merely responding to climate impacts after they occur. 'We must anticipate these climate changes,' she stressed. 'All the programs we are setting up with our partners, whether national or international, go in this direction — how to preserve what we have today and how to make it more resilient.' This forward-thinking approach represents a shift from traditional conservation models that often focus on damage control to one that seeks to build systemic resilience before catastrophic changes take hold. Integrated development strategy ANDZOA's work is characterized by what Yaacoubi calls an 'integrated program' that requires coordination across all relevant government departments and the pooling of both human and financial resources. This holistic approach recognizes that the challenges facing Morocco's argan and oasis zones cannot be addressed in isolation but require coordinated action across multiple sectors. The agency's strategy acknowledges that these ecosystems face multiple, interconnected pressures. Beyond climate change, factors such as desertification, water scarcity, and economic pressures on local communities all contribute to the degradation of these environments. A race against time ANDZOA's mission has taken on added urgency in recent years as Morocco has continued to experience more frequent droughts and extreme weather events. The argan forests of southwestern Morocco and the palm oases scattered across the country's arid regions represent not just environmental treasures but also crucial economic lifelines for rural communities. The argan tree, found nowhere else in the world, supports a thriving cosmetics and culinary industry, while the date palm oases provide food security and economic opportunity in some of Morocco's most marginalized regions. Yaacoubi's awareness-raising comments come as Morocco prepares to host various international climate conferences and continues to position itself as a leader in renewable energy and climate adaptation. For her, ANDZOA's work represents a crucial test case for how developing nations can balance economic development with environmental preservation in an era of accelerating climate change. He believes that the success or failure of efforts to protect Morocco's argan and oasis ecosystems may well serve as a bellwether for similar conservation challenges across North Africa and the broader developing world. 'We must all redouble our efforts,' Yaacoubi concluded, stressing that the scale of the climate challenge requires unprecedented coordination and commitment from all stakeholders. Tags: ANDZOAargan treesclimate changeOases
