The Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation, Abdellatif Miraoui, and the President of the Italian Med-Or Leonardo Foundation, Marco Minniti, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at a special ceremony held at the Ministry’s headquarters in Rabat, in the presence of the Italian Ambassador to Morocco, Armando Barucco.
This memorandum plays a major role in the implementation of Morocco’s National Plan for Accelerating the Transformation of the Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation Ecosystem (PACTE ESRI 2030), which will pave the way for fruitful cooperation between the two nations in several key areas.
One of the key objectives of this memorandum is to offer Moroccan students the opportunity to benefit from training programs offered by companies affiliated to the Leonardo Group, which will enable students to improve their skills and gain more professional experience.
In addition, the memorandum provides for the development of scholarship funding programs for Moroccan students and researchers in fields linked to emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, coding, and the Internet of Things (IoT) in order to encourage research and innovation in these vital sectors.
The Memorandum of Understanding also aims to strengthen cooperation between Moroccan and Italian universities through exchanges of experts and expertise and the joint holding of scientific conferences and seminars, thus contributing to knowledge expansion and the promotion of academic research.
On the occasion of the signing ceremony, Minister Miraoui emphasized the importance of the solid historic relations uniting Morocco and Italy, noting that this memorandum marks a further milestone in the strengthening of bilateral relations.
The Moroccan minister also outlined the promising prospects resulting from the multi-dimensional strategic partnership concluded between the two countries last July, underlining that education and research are key areas of this cooperation.
For his part, the President of the Med-Or Foundation expressed his condolences with regard to the tragedy of Al Haouz earthquake and pledged greater solidarity between Italy and Morocco.
Minniti highlighted Morocco’s strategic role in the region and the importance of education and culture for the development of international dialogue, affirming that this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) consolidates the promising prospects for the younger generations of both countries.