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Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Haifa University Partner on Marine Research
September 15, 2022
Since the signing of the Abraham Accords in late 2020, Morocco and Israel have sought to reinforce political, economic, and cultural cooperation.
Rabat - Morocco’s Abdelmalek Essaadi University in Tetouan and Israel’s University of Haifa on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to advance cooperation in marine research.
Eyal David, deputy chief of mission of Israel in Morocco, broke the news on Twitter, stating that the MoU signing falls under the framework of academic cooperation between Rabat and Tel Aviv.
The tweet added that the new partnership, “will include marine sciences and the fields of sustainable aquaculture, marine technologies, and ecological research.”
The MoU follows the launch of the first exchange program between Morocco and Israel in late August. The program is led by Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) and Israel’s Ben-Gurion University.
This summer, Ben-Gurion University hosted four Moroccan students specializing in data science and health systems.
Through these exchange programs, Rabat and Tel Aviv seek to reinforce mutual understanding between the two nations and consolidate long-term cooperation in strategic sectors such as research and development (R&D) and innovation.
“I think this [exchange program] will strengthen the ties between Israel and Morocco,” said Laila Perelman-Soppi, director of student mobility programs at Ben-Gurion University. “It’s not only the touristic part but also the academic relations that we can build together and do research projects for the future, and impact the world.”
In December 2020, Morocco and Israel signed the US-brokered Abraham Accords, paving the way for a growing number of partnerships in the defense, trade, and tourism sectors.
Despite facing limited opposition at home, the two nations have over the past two years demonstrated a strong shared will to reinforce and advance bilateral cooperation. The recent appointment of a new Israeli envoy to Rabat, as well as the forthcoming opening of Israel’s embassy in Rabat are set to provide an additional boost for the relations.