Rabat – Morocco’s Euro-Mediterranean University of Fes (UEMF) signed an agreement with the Israeli Sami Shamoon College of Engineering (SCE) University on Sunday, paving the way for collaboration on academic research.
The collaboration agreement extends to the submission of research proposals, as well as launching exchange programs between UEMF and SCE University, according to Israeli news outlet the Jerusalem Post.
UMEF president Mustafa Bosmina joined SCE president Shimon Levitsky and the college rector Yehuda Hadad to ink the agreement between the two universities.
“The agreement signed will help both institutions of higher learning to improve, expand and deepen academic research and develop research programs,” Hadad told the Jerusalem Post. He added that he is “convinced that the warm bond created between the parties will also be a bridge.”
The agreement comes at a time when Morocco and Israel are actively working to consolidate and diversify bilateral relations.
After restoring diplomatic relations through the US-brokered Abraham Accords, Israel and Morocco have expressed their far-reaching interest in deepening economic, cultural, and diplomatic relations.
In December 2021, the two countries celebrated one year of restored diplomatic ties.
Trade between the two countries has nearly doubled over the same period, going from $70 million in 2020 to $130 million in 2021.
Earlier this week, Morocco and Israel extended their cooperation to defense issues. An official delegation from the Israeli military met Moroccan counterparts to deliberate possible venues for cooperation on military intelligence and defense.
Several Israeli companies are already flocking to the North African country. Israeli energy group Ratio Petroleum announced in early 2021 a gas and exploration permit with the Moroccan authorities. Delek Drilling, another Israeli energy group, also announced one month later that they are in the talks with Morocco for an offshore oil and gas exploration permit.
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