Celebrating Innovation and Research at Cadi Ayyad University
On Monday, the Innovation Week commenced at Cadi Ayyad University in Marrakech, attracting a diverse audience that included academic leaders, institutional figures, researchers, doctoral students, university students, entrepreneurs, investors, and partners from various economic and social sectors. This prominent scientific event is part of the Scientific Research Week, extending over five days, and embodies Cadi Ayyad University's commitment to transforming scientific knowledge into added value and tangible solutions for regional and socio-economic development.
In his opening remarks, University President Belaid Boukadir highlighted that the primary objective of this week is to guide scientific research and strengthen the university's relationship with its surroundings. He emphasized the necessity for scientific research to address societal expectations and challenges while keeping pace with community development. Boukadir stated, “Through this initiative, Cadi Ayyad University reaffirms its ambition to enhance its scientific and technological output, foster connections between research, innovation, and industry, encourage the creation of startups and high-value projects, and actively contribute to the emergence of a regional innovation ecosystem.”
Fatumah Sila, Director of Scientific Research from Guinea, expressed her enthusiasm about participating in this event, aimed at exchanging experiences with Cadi Ayyad University. She articulated Guinea's aspiration to pivot toward impactful scientific research that meets the tangible needs of Guinean society, expressing a desire to adopt and adapt the successful experience of Cadi Ayyad University, which serves as an inspiring model in the field of scientific research and the valorization of its results.
Fostering Collaboration Between Academia and Industry
Hassan Mouden, the coordinator for Scientific Research Week at Cadi Ayyad University, noted that the Innovation City in Marrakech serves as a strategic platform designed to bring the academic environment closer to the industrial sector while promoting innovation and hosting startups and technological transformation to enhance economic competitiveness. He explained that this scientific week, supported by all components of the university through its various institutions, also reflects Cadi Ayyad University's influence and contribution to understanding and finding solutions to the challenges faced by the Marrakech-Safi region. It encourages interaction between the academic world and economic actors, public institutions, and civil society.
Aside from scientific production, Mouden added that this space also represents Cadi Ayyad University's commitment to economic development, technology transfer, and the emergence of an innovation ecosystem. Canadian expert Guy Giard mentioned in a statement to the Moroccan Agency for News that his participation in Innovation Week includes conducting training sessions focusing on well-being, emphasizing an approach where innovation transcends technology to encompass personal development and stress management. Giard, known for his vibrant approach and ability to energize teams, will present interactive workshops aimed at improving quality of life at work and fostering creativity.
This event serves as a comprehensive platform bringing together various stakeholders in the innovation ecosystem within a scientific space aimed at creating bridges of communication between the university and the job market, transforming research ideas into feasible, investable projects. The program for "Innovation Week UCA 2026" features a rich and diverse array of scientific and interactive activities, reflecting the ongoing dynamism within the university in the fields of innovation and entrepreneurship.
Furthermore, the week will host technological exhibitions and presentations of innovative projects and startups, showcasing the volume of scientific and technological output amassed by the university and highlighting successful models of youth initiatives that have transitioned from ideas to projects, from the lab to the market. "Innovation Week UCA 2026" solidifies Cadi Ayyad University's position as a leading institution in scientific research and innovation, an academic entity open to its environment, which transforms knowledge into a tool for development and leverages innovation as a genuine driver for building a more sustainable and competitive future.
As reported by inews.ma.
