New Historic Academic Partnership Between Israel and Morocco
New Historic Academic Partnership Between Israel and Morocco
August 17, 2021
BEER-SHEVA, Israel, August 17, 2021 – Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) in Israel and Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) in Morocco have initiated discussions to collaborate on sustainability research projects, as well as students and faculty exchange programs.
A formal Memorandum of Understanding is expected to be signed by mid-October, among the first between universities from both countries. Morocco joined the Abraham Accords to normalize ties with Israel last year.
“BGU and UM6P have much in common,” says BGU President Prof. Daniel Chamovitz. “From their desert settings to their focus on applied research and innovative teaching methods, the two universities are well suited to collaborate on projects in sustainability and climate change. Both universities are committed to thriving in the desert in a ‘Green’ environment, and both look outward – focused on helping our regions, countries and the world.”
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
“This historic collaboration between BGU and UM6P is an exciting step towards bridge-building between Israel and Morocco. The promising scientific research these two universities will partner on will be a remarkable contribution to Israel’s first School of Sustainability and Climate Change, announced earlier this year by BGU,” says Doug Seserman, chief executive officer of Americans for Ben-Gurion University.
Americans for Ben-Gurion University partners with the University through a variety of community outreach and fundraising programs nationwide. The organization is dedicated to developing the Negev region and ensuring Israel’s future by supporting BGU’s innovation, research, education, and significant partnerships such as this one.
Mohamed VI Polytechnic University
According to Mohammed VI Polytechnic University President Hicham El Habti, “We are confident that linking science and technology institutions from both countries will have a major impact on people at a local and regional level. UM6P and BGU consider scientific research a key component for development, especially on sustainability matters. That is why we have identified this topic as a first step for our collaboration.”
Mohammed VI Polytechnic University has made this subject a top priority of its research and education programs, within its Green Tech Institute launched last year and its School of Agriculture, Fertilizers and Environmental Sciences launched in 2015.
The partnership will be supported by global companies ICL (Israel) and OCP (Morocco).
This story has been featured in ynetnews.com and JNS.
ABOUT AMERICANS FOR BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY
By supporting a world-class academic institution that not only nurtures the Negev, but also shares its expertise locally and globally, Americans for Ben-Gurion University engages a community of Americans who are committed to improving the world. David Ben-Gurion envisioned that Israel’s future would be forged in the Negev. The cutting-edge research carried out at Ben-Gurion University drives that vision by sustaining a desert Silicon Valley, with the “Stanford of the Negev” at its center. The Americans for Ben-Gurion University movement supports a 21st century unifying vision for Israel by rallying around BGU’s remarkable work and role as an apolitical beacon of light in the Negev desert.
About Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev embraces the endless potential we have as individuals and as a commonality to adapt and to thrive in changing environments. Inspired by our location in the desert, we aim to discover, to create, and to develop solutions to dynamic challenges, to pose questions that have yet to be asked, and to push beyond the boundaries of the commonly accepted and possible.
We are proud to be a central force for inclusion, diversity and innovation in Israel, and we strive to extend the Negev’s potential and our entrepreneurial spirit throughout the world. For example, the multi-disciplinary School for Sustainability and Climate Change at BGU leverages over 50 years of expertise on living and thriving in the desert into scalable solutions for people everywhere.
BGU at a glance:
20,000 students | 800 senior faculty | 3 campuses | 6 faculties: humanities & social sciences, health sciences, engineering sciences, natural sciences, business & management, and desert research.
For all press inquiries, please contact:
James Fattal, J Cubed Communications
516.289.1496
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