Event : 12 June, 2026
Kenitra, 12 June 2026, Ibn Tofaïl University had the honour of welcoming His Excellency Mr. Gilles Heyvaert, Ambassador of Belgium, during a courtesy visit that provided an opportunity for academic exchange and dialogue on prospects for strengthening cooperation between Morocco and Belgium.
The visit reflects the growing importance of international academic cooperation in fostering knowledge exchange, developing joint research initiatives, and creating new opportunities for students, researchers, and academic institutions. By bringing together higher education institutions and international partners, such exchanges contribute to building bridges between countries and promoting mutual understanding through education, research, and innovation.
During the meeting, discussions focused particularly on potential areas of bilateral academic and scientific cooperation, with special attention given to the organisation of an upcoming Belgian-Moroccan scientific seminar. Such an initiative is expected to provide a valuable platform for researchers and academics from both countries to share expertise, exchange perspectives, and explore opportunities for collaborative research.
International partnerships of this kind are essential to the development of a dynamic and globally connected university. Cooperation with institutions and partners from different countries enables universities to benefit from diverse academic perspectives, strengthen research networks, encourage mobility, and develop joint initiatives addressing shared scientific and societal challenges. It also enhances the international visibility of higher education institutions and contributes to their integration into global academic and research networks.
The visit of the Belgian Ambassador therefore represents more than a diplomatic encounter; it constitutes an opportunity to lay the foundations for sustainable academic partnerships between Morocco and Belgium. Through continued dialogue and collaborative initiatives, Ibn Tofaïl University reaffirms its commitment to internationalisation and to strengthening its role as an open, outward-looking institution engaged in academic cooperation at both the national and international levels.
This initiative further illustrates the University’s commitment to fostering cross-border collaboration, scientific excellence, and knowledge sharing, while contributing to stronger relations between Morocco and its international partners.
The strengthening of international academic cooperation also contributes to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In particular, the partnership opportunities discussed during the visit align with Quality Education, by promoting knowledge exchange, academic collaboration, and the development of international learning opportunities; Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, through the promotion of scientific research, innovation, and cross-border research networks; and Partnerships for the Goals, by fostering meaningful cooperation between Moroccan and Belgian academic and scientific communities. By encouraging dialogue and joint initiatives between institutions from different countries, Ibn Tofaïl University contributes to building sustainable international partnerships that support knowledge sharing, research excellence, innovation, and collective responses to global challenges.