2 May 2022 | On March 31, the Technion – Institute of Technology received a historic visit from a Moroccan delegation headed by Mr. Hicham El Habti, President of Morocco’s Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) – one of Morocco’s leading technical universities. UM6P focuses on applied research and innovation with an emphasis on African development and maintains international relations with other leading institutions, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), McGill University, and the Max Planck Institute.
At a ceremony held at the Technion, a document of academic cooperation between the two universities was signed by UM6P President Mr. Hicham El Habti, Technion President Prof. Uri Sivan, Senior Vice President of the Technion Prof. Oded Rabinovitch, and Vice President of Research Prof. Koby Rubinstein. This document was the first of its kind to be signed between these two institutions.
Technion President Prof. Uri Sivan addressed the delegation and said that their visit to the Technion “reflects a rapid and dramatic historical change in the region. We at the Technion are determined to participate in leading this process and building bridges through education and research. Since the Abraham Accords, we have received delegations from the UAE and Bahrain, countries that none of us ever imagined would come to visit. Both of our institutions – the Technion and UM6P – educate young people and equip them for the future. The cooperation we are establishing here today goes beyond its academic value; it is our duty to the region and to the future of the next generation.”
The President of Morocco’s Mohammed VI University, Mr. Hicham El Habti, said: “Today we are signing a piece of paper, but what is more important is what stands behind it – the mutual desire for cooperation, which will lead to student and faculty exchange from both institutions. It is an honor to be here at the Technion – and a great responsibility. We are part of an historic era, and we must continue to strengthen ties between Morocco and Israel. As a very young university, we are open to international cooperation and are delighted to establish this relationship with you.”
