New AI Laboratory Established through Collaboration between UM6P and Syensqo
Benguerir—Today marks a significant milestone with the signing of a partnership agreement between Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) and the materials science firm Syensqo. This collaboration aims to establish a pioneering artificial intelligence laboratory dedicated to developing sustainable industrial solutions.
The formalization of this alliance took place at UM6P’s campus in Benguerir. The primary objective is to close the chasm between academic research and its practical industrial applications, facilitated through AI-driven innovations.
Central to this initiative is the Syensqo AI Lab, which will function within the ambit of UM6P’s newly founded AI-ARC (Accelerated Research Center). This lab aspires to innovate what the partners term “next-generation agentic AI technologies,” specifically within the realms of chemistry and materials science.
This endeavor promises to propel advancements in both AI system development and the evolution of sophisticated materials for industrial use.
Syensqo has inaugurated a dedicated office on the UM6P campus, positioning its engineers and scientists to collaborate intimately with the university’s researchers, doctoral candidates, and undergraduates. This strategy is designed to enhance direct collaboration and cultivate an ecosystem where teams can rapidly experiment and translate concepts into viable applications.
Reflecting on her inspiring journey from Casablanca’s Derb Sultan to the helm of Syensqo, CEO Ilham Kadri articulated the company’s vision: “At Syensqo, we believe that the future of sustainable industry will be shaped by the intelligent fusion of materials science and artificial intelligence.”
“With this lab, our aim is to transform this vision into concrete action—accelerating innovation, empowering emerging talent, and crafting solutions that tangibly impact society and the environment,” she continued.
In an exclusive interview with Morocco World News (MWN) at the signing ceremony, Kadri labeled this partnership as “a momentous milestone for UM6P and us.” She lauded UM6P, stating it ranks among the most prestigious universities in Morocco, if not Africa, and certainly on a global scale.
For Syensqo, a company committed to serving humanity through advancements in electrification, connectivity, lightweight materials, and biotechnology, this partnership opens doors to exceptional talent specializing in generative and agentic AI.
“This is an opportunity to harness the finest talents in Gen.AI, which signifies our future,” remarked Kadri, highlighting UM6P’s capability in delivering top-tier talent, agility, and infrastructure.
“Long life to our alliance with UM6P,” she concluded, hinting at what both organizations perceive as merely the inception of their collaborative journey.
As a proud Moroccan, Kadri expressed her enthusiasm for this landmark achievement, emphasizing Benguerir’s remarkable transformation into a hub of advanced academic infrastructure.
The partnership encompasses more than just the lab’s initiatives. Both entities intend to delve into supplementary research avenues and devise executive training programs.
Students at UM6P will receive practical experience in addressing authentic industrial challenges, a cornerstone in grooming the next generation of scientists and engineers.
“At UM6P, we gauge the worth of research by its capacity to engender tangible solutions,” stated UM6P’s President Hicham El Habti.
“This collaboration with Syensqo empowers us to integrate cutting-edge AI with industrial applications, translating laboratory innovations into technologies capable of enhancing operational efficiency, minimizing environmental repercussions, and unlocking new economic prospects.”
Professor Lamia Azizi, director of UM6P’s Accelerated Research Center in AI, will co-direct the lab in tandem with Vincent Colegrave, Syensqo’s head of AI. Together, they aim to apply avant-garde AI research to materials science and chemistry, with the intent of developing more sustainable and innovative market products.
In her statements to MWN during the signing event, Azizi underscored that “this partnership is exceptionally strategic.” She characterized it as “a brilliant union of technical prowess and market applicability”—a synergy intended to convert advanced research into practical solutions.
UM6P brings forth state-of-the-art AI technologies and technical acumen, whereas Syensqo offers profound insight into chemical sciences, materials, and industrial markets. This collaboration builds upon an enduring relationship between the two parties.
Additionally, both organizations are founding partners in Climate Impulse, explorer Bertrand Piccard’s ambitious initiative to create the inaugural hydrogen-powered aircraft capable of continuous global flight.
In the wake of the signing ceremony, several UM6P students who undertook internships at Syensqo shared their enriching experiences, attesting to the invaluable exposure provided by this collaboration within sophisticated industrial and research environments.
Source link: Moroccoworldnews.com.
