The Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) has officially launched its international campus in Montreal, under the name “UM6P Canada.” This marks a significant milestone in the university’s global outreach, aimed at strengthening ties between Africa and North America.
The launch event was graced by the presence of Souriya Otmani, Morocco’s Ambassador to Canada, and Pascale Déry, Quebec’s Minister of Higher Education.
Founded in Morocco in 2017, UM6P is renowned for its focus on science and innovation. With the new Canadian campus, UM6P seeks to enhance research collaboration and knowledge exchange between continents. UM6P Canada will serve as a hub for fostering global research environments and advancing partnerships, with a goal of accelerating capacity-building and knowledge transfer between Africa and Canada.
UM6P Canada will center its activities on four main pillars: research and development, continuing education, entrepreneurship, and capacity-building. The campus aims to strengthen collaborations that promote knowledge exchange, technology transfer, and skill development. This will be achieved by working closely with existing Canadian partners, including the University of Quebec at Montreal (UQAM), Laval University, the University of Sherbrooke, the University of Alberta, and the University of Manitoba, while also engaging with the broader Canadian ecosystem of education, research, and innovation.
The new campus will also act as a networking platform for Moroccan and African professionals based in Canada. UM6P Canada will contribute to North America’s innovation landscape by supporting projects in five key sectors: agriculture, energy, mining, artificial intelligence, and sustainable development.
Through this initiative, UM6P aims to drive tangible impacts, including commercial agreements, patent filings, and technology transfers. The university also seeks to foster the creation of startups and new enterprises, creating a bridge between academic institutions, industry stakeholders, and strategic partners.
Hicham El Habti, President of UM6P, emphasized the importance of this expansion, stating: “With the opening of UM6P Canada, we take a significant step in strengthening the connection between Africa and North America. In partnership with our Canadian colleagues, we are addressing the need for innovation and fostering international cooperation to tackle contemporary global challenges. This initiative reflects our proactive approach to issues like energy transition, environmental sustainability, and advancements in artificial intelligence. Our intercontinental collaboration offers a concrete, cooperative response to building a more resilient and sustainable future.”
