Rabat – In an interview on the sidelines of the 2nd US-Africa Frontiers Program Symposium in Rabat, Patricia Gruber, the US Secretary of State’s Science and Technology Advisor, heralded an era of unprecedented collaboration between the Kingdom of Morocco and the United States of America.
Highlighting the extensive opportunities for cooperation on global issues, Gruber emphasized that ties between Morocco and the United States have never been stronger, particularly in areas such as energy access, climate change mitigation, healthcare, and food security.
Gruber emphasized the timely significance of the July 2023 signing of the modified and extended Protocol of Cooperation in Science and Technology between Morocco and the United States.
This accord, originally signed in 2006 and effective from 2012 to 2022, aims to further enhance collaborative efforts in scientific and technological research, now renewed until 2033, showcasing the commitment of both nations to solidify this partnership.
Commending Morocco’s substantial investments in key scientific and technological domains, Gruber praised the reforms in higher education, facilitating enhanced collaboration, particularly regarding student exchanges between American and Moroccan universities.
Addressing Morocco’s strides in promoting women’s status, particularly in science and technology, Gruber stressed the vital importance of encouraging more women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and medicine, deeming it a critical issue for both nations.
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Notably, 43% of participants at the symposium from African universities were women, showcasing progress but acknowledging there is still a long way to go.
Gruber highlighted the pivotal role of mentorship in ensuring women receive support and guidance to achieve their goals in these fields.
Turning to cybersecurity, a linchpin for contemporary scientific and technological development, she emphasized the need for openness, idea exchange, and data sharing to advance scientific research.
However, she cautioned against progress at the expense of national security, intellectual property rights, privacy, and human rights. Gruber stressed the imperative of securing networks and leveraging cybersecurity best practices to identify risks and enhance threat detection.
