Canary Islands' I+D+i Delegation Embarks on African Scientific Journey

Thursday 24 October 2024 - 15:00

The President of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, is set to embark on a groundbreaking journey to Marrakech, accompanied by an unprecedented delegation of over 40 university doctors, entrepreneurs, startups, and knowledge centers. This mission, part of the 'Africa Canarias Challenge', aims to forge strong scientific, technological, and innovative collaborations between the Canary Islands, Morocco, and the African continent.

Clavijo's visit marks a significant milestone, as he will be the first representative of a Spanish autonomous community to deliver a conference at the prestigious University Mohamed VI Polytechnic (UM6P). This university, a leader in Africa, boasts an impressive student body of 5,684 students from 33 different countries, including 721 doctoral candidates.

During his address, the President will emphasize the central role of science and innovation in the Canary Islands' external affairs, proposing a new era of bidirectional and reciprocal development of research and technological innovation projects. He will highlight the archipelago's capabilities in fields such as astronomy, marine renewable energies, circular economy knowledge, sustainable energy advancements, and desalination and water treatment technologies.

The Canary Islands' delegation, led by Clavijo, will also engage with Moroccan experts and explore opportunities for collaboration. This visit includes a tour of the Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (CAES) and the research center of the Department of Materials Science, Energy, and Nano Engineering (MSN) at UM6P.

The institutional delegation accompanying the President includes key figures from the Canary Islands' government, such as the Counselor of Universities, Science, Innovation, and Culture, Migdalia Machín, and representatives from the Parliament of the Canary Islands, including Elena Máñez, the President of the Commission of Universities, Science, Innovation, and Culture.

The 'Africa Canarias Challenge', an initiative launched in 2021 by the Directorate General of Relations with Africa, has gained momentum with the involvement of the two public universities of the archipelago. This edition, implemented by the Association Emerge, aims to strengthen collaboration with African countries through public and private knowledge agents.

The UM6P, a key partner in this endeavor, is committed to empowering a new generation of African talents and focuses on developing solutions to specific African needs and global challenges. With campuses in Benguerir, Rabat, Laayoune, and Paris, the university attracts international faculty and offers an excellent learning environment based on entrepreneurship and innovation.

This historic collaboration between the Canary Islands and Morocco builds upon the recent meeting between Fernando Clavijo and Morocco's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Naser Burita, held in Rabat on October 8th. The visit to UM6P is a significant step towards enhancing scientific and technological partnerships and fostering economic development in the Atlantic region.