SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE 24 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The president of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, will arrive in Marrakech this Friday, accompanied by the largest R&D&i delegation from the archipelago to visit Africa. This group includes over 40 university doctors, entrepreneurs, and representatives from startups, businesses, and knowledge centres, all of whom will engage in a rigorous workday at the Mohamed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P).
The aim of this journey is to explore opportunities for scientific, technological and innovative collaboration between the archipelago, Morocco, and countries across Africa.
In alignment with the ‘Africa Canary Islands Challenge’ programme, the autonomous Government intends to emphasise the role of science and innovation in its international initiatives. This marks a new phase that fosters the development of mutual research projects and technological innovations addressing key challenges facing the continent.
The president will underscore this during a groundbreaking speech in the library of this leading African institution, which accommodates 721 doctors among its total student body of 5,684 from 33 different countries.
This marks the first occasion a representative from a Spanish autonomous community will deliver a lecture in this forum.
The head of the autonomous Government will showcase the R&D&I capabilities that the Canary Islands can offer to students, faculty, researchers, and various spinoffs and startups of UM6P.
Prominent areas include astronomy and astrophysics, marine renewable energies, expertise in circular economy specifically tailored for island territories, advancements in sustainable energy, as well as desalination and water resource treatment, as stated by a release from the Government.
Clavijo aims to foster the development of high-value projects that will enhance the economies of the entire Atlantic region, highlighting the necessity for Canarian companies to integrate into the innovation chain within the African continent.
His presentation to the university community and attendees of the ‘Africa Canarias Challenge’ will involve an introduction by Jones Alami, the head of the Department of Materials Science, Energy and Nano Engineering (MSN) at UM6P.
Furthermore, the Canary Islands delegation’s visit to this Moroccan university includes a tour of the Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (CAES) and the research centre within the Department of Materials Science, Energy and Nano Engineering (MSN).
Meetings between the Canarian delegation and Moroccan experts will also take place to explore potential collaboration opportunities.
HISTORIC DELEGATION
On an institutional level, the president is accompanied by Migdalia Machín, advisor to the Minister of Universities, Science, Innovation and Culture; Octavio Caraballo, vice-counselor of the Presidency; Luis Padilla, general director of Relations with Africa; David Pérez-Dionis, general director of Organic Coordination and Strategic Projects; Guayarmina Peña, CEO of the ITC; Gonzalo Piernavieja, director of R&D&I of the ITC; Valentín Martínez Pillet, director of the IAC; and José Joaquín Hernández, CEO of Plocan.
Additionally, Elena Máñez, president of the Universities, Science, Innovation and Culture Commission of the Autonomous Chamber, is part of the Canary Islands delegation and will take part in all events planned at the Mohamed VI Polytechnic University.
The Canarian delegation, under the leadership of the regional government head, arrives at UM6P with the ‘Africa Canarias Challenge’ initiative.
This initiative was established in 2021 by the General Directorate of Relations with Africa to strengthen collaboration with the neighbouring continent through public and private knowledge entities.
This edition, implemented by the Emerge Association and building on previous outcomes from Senegal and Mauritania, sees the ‘Africa Canary Islands Challenge’ incorporating the two public universities from the archipelago as key players. This enhances the potential for conducting joint projects by merging the research capabilities of the Canary Islands, Morocco, and the entire African continent.
In this context, Francisco García, the rector of the University of La Laguna (ULL), along with a substantial group of professors and researchers from both this institution and the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), are part of the delegation.
REFERENCE CENTRE
The UM6P is committed to developing solutions tailored to the specific needs of the African continent, while also addressing global challenges, focusing on education and research with robust industry, business, and innovation ties.
Its mission is to nurture a new generation of talent capable of shaping and leading the future of Africa, according to its objectives.
This Moroccan institution is aimed at responding to the needs of other African economies, with campuses in Benguerir near Marrakech, Rabat, El Aaiún, and Paris.
Approximately 10% of its student body comprises individuals from other African nations, and it attracts international faculty while providing a high-quality learning environment centred on entrepreneurship and innovation through experimental laboratories.
This latest visit by the president of the Canary Islands to the neighbouring nation comes mere weeks after he met with Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Naser Burita, on October 8 in Rabat to explore collaboration possibilities.
