In a defining moment for academic-industrial cooperation, Professor Mohamed Larbi Kerkeb, President of Ibn Tofail University, was welcomed in Paris by the President and CEO of IFP Energies nouvelles (IFPEN), a leading French public research organization dedicated to energy, transport, and environmental innovation.
The high-level meeting focused on forging a robust partnership to address the evolving challenges of the automotive industry by leveraging hydrogen engine technologies and promoting sustainable mobility solutions. This dialogue marks a promising step in reinforcing bilateral cooperation between Morocco and France, with a shared vision of shaping the future of mobility through research, education, and engineering excellence.
At the core of this collaboration lies a mutual understanding: the global transport sector is undergoing a profound transformation. With environmental concerns, energy security, and technological innovation driving change, the focus on hydrogen propulsion systems and clean energy integration is more critical than ever.
This meeting opened new avenues for joint research projects, particularly those addressing the decarbonization of mobility, the development of high-efficiency, low-emission engines, and the application of AI and data analytics in transport systems. The discussions also explored academic exchanges and collaborative engineering programs designed to prepare a new generation of experts equipped to lead in a sustainable, innovation-driven economy.
This initiative aligns perfectly with Ibn Tofail University’s strategic vision of becoming a regional leader in applied research and industry-oriented training. The university’s growing ecosystem of innovation spanning energy, environment, and digital technologies, makes it a natural partner for global institutions such as IFPEN.
By actively investing in international cooperation and cross-sectoral partnerships, Ibn Tofail University ensures that its academic and research outputs translate into real-world solutions with measurable environmental and societal benefits.
The collaboration with IFPEN is not merely institutional, it is transformational. It exemplifies how Moroccan universities can contribute meaningfully to global sustainability goals, while also boosting national competencies in critical sectors like green mobility, hydrogen technologies, and renewable energy systems.
For students and researchers at Ibn Tofail University, this partnership offers invaluable exposure to frontier research, access to cutting-edge infrastructure, and opportunities to collaborate with leading French scientists and engineers. This reinforces the university’s role as a springboard for talent and a catalyst for innovation across the Euro-Mediterranean region.