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Moroccan engineer wins France’s top innovation award for sustainable construction technology
Moroccan civil engineer Ouijdane Qacami has achieved global recognition by winning the prestigious Prix Pépite 2025, France’s foremost award for young innovative startups. Her groundbreaking company, Strucmedica, specializes in concrete durability diagnostics, offering cutting-edge solutions to the construction industry.
A revolutionary approach to structural health
Campus France, which announced the award winners, highlighted Qacami as one of five international alumni among 30 national laureates. Her startup, Strucmedica, stood out in the “materials in all their forms” category for its pioneering non-invasive diagnostic technology. Dubbed a “stethoscope for buildings,” the innovation listens to concrete structures to assess their health, detect vulnerabilities, and measure environmental impacts.
This technology enables early detection of concrete pathologies such as carbonation, allowing building owners to make informed decisions about repair, reinforcement, or replacement. By extending the lifespan of structures, Strucmedica reduces the environmental footprint of the construction sector, aligning with global low-carbon strategies.
Strucmedica’s services target asset managers, engineering firms, and public authorities, providing rapid, non-destructive tools for concrete assessment. These innovations support sustainable construction practices and help transition the industry toward environmentally conscious solutions.
Career journey and academic excellence
Qacami’s journey began in Morocco, where she gained engineering experience on major infrastructure projects, including roadworks near Saïdia and stability studies for the Nador West Med port. She later pursued advanced studies in France, earning a civil engineering degree from the École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées and a Master’s in Construction Materials Sustainability.
Currently, Qacami serves as an R&D engineer at the Holcim Innovation Center, a global leader in cement and construction materials. She is also pursuing a PhD at La Rochelle Université in collaboration with the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and Holcim, focusing on concrete durability through non-destructive evaluation methods. Her academic contributions include six scientific publications on innovative measurement techniques and sustainable construction materials.
Recognizing Moroccan talent on an international stage
Strucmedica’s success has garnered widespread acclaim, including recognition at the GEF Start-up Weekend 2025 in Paris and integration into the French Tech Saint-Étienne Lyon ecosystem. The startup’s regional victory at ENSMA Poitiers in November secured its place in the national Prix Pépite competition, where it was lauded as a revolutionary deeptech solution.
The Prix Pépite, established in 2014, supports entrepreneurial projects by students and recent graduates, fostering innovation within France’s higher education system. This year’s ceremony, supported by partners like L’Oréal, emphasized the importance of youth-driven innovation in shaping the future.
Philippe Baptiste, France’s minister delegate for higher education and research, praised the laureates for their vision and creativity, describing the awards as catalysts for transforming ideas into impactful ventures.
Qacami’s achievements underscore Morocco’s growing influence in global innovation ecosystems. Her work not only advances sustainable construction technologies but also highlights the profound contributions of Moroccan talent to international scientific and engineering excellence.
