Academic Partnership between Euromed University of Fes and Israeli Universities

A delegation from the Euromed University of Fes (UEMF), composed of its President Prof. Mostapha Bousmina, the Director of the School of Digital Engineering and Artificial Intelligence, Prof. Maha Gmira, and the Director of Partnerships and Innovation, Ms. Ghada Bouhlal, visited Israel to strengthen the academic partnership with Tel Aviv University, Shenkar University, and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The delegation was also received by high-ranking Israeli personalities, notably by the son of former Israeli President Shimon Peres and also former minister of Moroccan origin Raphy Edery, in the presence of His Excellency Mr. Abderrahim Beyyoudh, head of the Liaison Office of the Kingdom of Morocco in Tel Aviv.

The partnership focuses on artificial intelligence, robotics, biotechnology, precision agriculture, and the water issue.

About ten UEMF students will travel to Israel next February before hosting Israeli students at UEMF during the year. Other teacher-researchers and co-supervised PhD students will also travel in both directions for stays between UEMF and the partner Israeli universities.

Welcome at the Shimon Peres Foundation for Peace and Innovation in the presence notably of Shimon Peres's son (former President and Prime Minister of Israel)

During the various official ceremonies reserved for the Moroccan delegation, Prof. Bousmina recalled the history of Morocco by referring to its millennia-old Hebrew component. He also mentioned Morocco's welcome of Jews in the 15th century following the persecutions they suffered in Spain and Portugal during the Reconquista period.

He also recalled the role played by the Alaouite dynasty in protecting Jews, notably during the Second World War when His Late Majesty King Mohammed V personally opposed handing over Moroccan citizens of Jewish faith to the Vichy regime and the Nazis.

Prof. Bousmina reviewed the Royal solicitude of His Majesty the late King Hassan II and also of His Majesty King Mohammed VI towards Moroccan Jews. He highlighted the various actions of the Sovereign towards the Moroccan Jewish identity, which is an integral component of the national identity, and this is strongly cited in the preamble of the Moroccan constitution.

He also explained the exceptional and salutary approach of His Majesty King Mohammed VI for the restoration and rehabilitation of Jewish cemeteries, mausoleums, synagogues, and places of worship in Morocco and the Royal will to restore the original Jewish names of certain neighborhoods, streets, and places. The history and contribution of the Jewish component of Morocco are also included in school textbooks. He also explained the Moroccan exception regarding the family code for citizens of Jewish faith, which is governed by the provisions of Hebrew law.

Finally, Prof. Bousmina mentioned the Abraham Accords and expressed his conviction that they will be an engine for peace and shared prosperity between Israel and the Arab world.

The Israeli personalities present at these ceremonies expressed their thanks and gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI and their unwavering attachment to the Royal Family and to Morocco, and many expressed their desire to visit Morocco and explore investment opportunities in promising sectors for development.

Reception in the presence of Minister Raphy Edery, H.E. Mr. Abderrahim Beyyoudh, Head of the Liaison Office of Morocco in Tel Aviv, the President of Shenkar University, Prof. Sheizaf Rafaeli, Ms. Orit Efrati, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Shenkar, and several Israeli personalities of Moroccan origin.

Prof. Mostapha Bousmina was appointed a member of the Board of Directors of Shenkar University.