Advancing Scientific Collaboration: Morocco and Spain Forge Ambitious Partnership

Tuesday 30 April 2024 - 16:50

In a significant stride towards enhancing scientific collaboration, the National Center for Scientific and Technical Research (CNRST) of Morocco and the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) sealed a landmark framework agreement in Rabat on Tuesday. This pact symbolizes the shared determination of these esteemed institutions to strengthen their strategic partnership in scientific research and innovation through the implementation of numerous cooperative projects.

Embedded within a dynamic trajectory of actions and initiatives aimed at reinforcing bilateral relations in scientific research and innovation, this ambitious accord aspires to revitalize scientific cooperation between the two nations by focusing on a broad spectrum of domains, including artificial intelligence, agriculture, environment, health, space sciences, humanities, and information technologies.

Jamila El Alami, the Director of CNRST, eloquently underscored the significance of this agreement, stating that it establishes a legal foundation facilitating the realization of numerous bilateral cooperation actions and projects pertaining to areas of mutual interest and topical relevance.

El Alami highlighted the myriad opportunities this bilateral cooperation could unveil for the scientific communities of both nations, emphasizing that "Spain ranks third among countries collaborating scientifically with Morocco."

According to the Scopus database, the highest number of co-publications lies within the research field of "Physics and Astronomy," trailed by Engineering and "Agricultural and Biological Sciences," she noted.

Exploring the Web of Science database, a premier platform for scientific and technical information, El Alami revealed that the domain of "Physical Particle Fields" leads the co-publications between Morocco and Spain, followed by "Astronomy and Astrophysics" and "Environmental Sciences."

Eloísa del Pino Matute, the President of CSIC, expressed her delight in invigorating the collaborative process between CSIC and CNRST, which she hailed as "a reference institution in scientific research."

"The signing of this convention, which notably provides for the exchange of scientists between the two countries, the organization of joint seminars, and the execution of research projects, will elevate our collaboration to the lofty heights of the bilateral relations between Morocco and Spain," she asserted.

The CNRST, a public scientific and technical research institution under the Moroccan Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation, is mandated with promoting, developing, and valorizing scientific research in Morocco.

Conversely, the CSIC, a public research body linked to the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities, aims to encourage, coordinate, develop, and disseminate multidisciplinary scientific and technological research.

Through this ambitious partnership, Morocco and Spain have embarked on a journey to harness the power of scientific excellence, fostering an environment conducive to groundbreaking discoveries and innovations that could shape the future of both nations and beyond.