To fast-track the connections between Sub-Saharan Africa and Moroccan Universities and industries, the World Bank partnered with the Morrocco Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), OCP Africa, the Association of African Universities (AAU), and the French Development Agency (AFD) to co-host the ACE Impact-Morocco Partnership Forum.
The 9th ACE Impact Regional Workshop commenced in Marrakech, Morocco on the 29th May 2023 for all Africa Higher Education Centre’s of Excellence for Development Impact (ACE IMPACT) project which was well attended by members of the ACE-FUELS Management Team lead by the Centre Leader, Prof. Emeka E. Oguzie. The first day’s programme featured 7 key meetings which were; Project Steering Committee Meeting, Experts Meeting, Procurement Meeting, Safeguards, Monitoring and Evaluation, University Vice Chancellors and DLI 7 Focal Points. The partnership forum took place from
31st May to the 2nd of June 2023 and involved plenary sessions, thematic breakout sessions and field visits to selected educational and research institutions in Morocco. The main objectives of the ACE Impact-Morocco partnership forum were to: Advance cross-country partnerships and networks between ACE Impact centers and Moroccan higher education institutions and private sector stakeholders, and Present opportunities for deep dive training and capacity building on the topic of moving research from the lab to the market. The workshop focused on a number of key areas which included providing a peer learning platform for the centers to discuss methods of achieving the more difficult disbursement linked indicators (DLIs) such as international accreditation, internships (for select sectors), and institutional impact and also provided one-on-one support to Centres following national supervision meetings for all fiduciary matters, including financial management, monitoring & evaluation, environmental and social safeguards, and procurement.
The ACE Impact centers also benefited from mini workshops that were organized to train participants on tools in value creation; what the journey from patent to products to market involves; and how to strengthen commercialization in the university ecosystem to attract investors and funders from both the private and public sectors. The ACE Impact Centers also had the opportunity to share on how they are currently handling the commercialization of their research results. Participants at the workshop were leadership.
teams of all 53 Centres, University Vice-Chancellors/Presidents, key governments and ministry representatives, from the private sector representatives, experts in communication of research, World Bank, Agency Francaise De Development (AFD), Association of African Universities (AAU) among others. Clearly the ACE Impact-Morocco Partnership Forum provided valuable learning opportunities for Vice Chancellors that are hosting ACE Impact Centers. The topics that they were exposed to during the forum will contribute to their institutional strategies for sustaining their Centers and leading advocacy in their countries for increased research funding by their governments.
