Oracle announces further development of its Moroccan research activities at UM6P

As part of a mutual cooperation between Oracle, the Moroccan Government and Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), the Benguerir campus of UM6P hosted a high-profile visit by Oracle Chief Executive Officer Safra Catz. In the presence of Mr. Mohcine Jazouli, Morocco’s Minister Delegate in charge of Investment, convergence and the evaluation of Public Policies and Ms. Ghita Mezzour, Minister Delegate in charge of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, the event was an opportunity to announce the expansion of Oracle’s activities in Africa, with Morocco as a key gateway for research & development.

Following this visit, Oracle’s international experience in cloud computing technologies is expected to further reach Morocco in two key areas:

•    Boosting Oracle’s recruitment of Moroccan engineers. 
•    Reinforcing Oracle’s research programs within Moroccan universities. This includes the continuation of a year-strong research & development collaboration with UM6P.

As an African hub of education, research and innovation, UM6P reaches yet another milestone through the development of its activities with Oracle. Hosting a vibrant ecosystem of living labs, digital centers and start-up incubators, the university has from its founding embraced partnership with the private sector as means of driving synergy between the corporate world and academia. Growing research fields within UM6P such as data science and artificial intelligence stand to gain from the world-class expertise of Oracle in the matter. In turn, Oracle can find in UM6P’s dynamic environment a door to Africa’s potential and promising talent. In a speech delivered on the occasion, UM6P President Hicham El Habti said: “Rarely can we witness the research and business worlds seeing eye to eye on so much. At UM6P, we are delighted to see that our core values of innovation, growth, resilience and sustainability are shared and advocated by our friends at Oracle. As an academic institution, UM6P is endowed with the monumental responsibility of educating the future shapers of Africa. With Oracle on our side, our youths can now also dare to think global.”

Dr. Hassan Chafi, Vice President Research and Advanced Development, Oracle Labs said: “The new Oracle Labs center in Morocco will join a global network of sites working on advanced technologies. Collaborations with leading universities like UM6P are a key pillar of how we help develop local talent and have them part of this important endeavor. We hope our lab will help facilitate greater R&D opportunities between Israel, UAE, Morocco, and Bahrain.  Such collaboration on computer sciences will be yet another bond that will strengthen the relationship between the signatories of the Abraham Accords.”