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Join on Telegram Benguerir – The inaugural edition of the International Campus of Excellence Africa kicked off in Benguerir, Morocco, on December 6, 2023.
The gathering unfolded at the campus of Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) in Benguerir and was organized by the university’s Institute for Advanced Studies. The overarching theme, “Shaping the Future: Transitional Thinking in a World of Uncertainties,” sought to discuss how the world can improve through technological revolutions and political shifts.
In the inaugural session under the theme “Paradigm shifting as powerbase for the New World Reality”, UM6P President Hicham El Habti highlighted the need for a new paradigm that is based on cooperation, sustainability, and human-centered development amid the uncertainties of the modern world.
“We are at a crossroads where our decisions, policies, and actions will determine the course of our collective future,” El Habti said. “It’s a future that demands a new paradigm of thinking, one that fosters cooperation, advocates sustainability and positions humanity as the forefront in our country.”
He underscored the crucial role of innovation as the engine that turns the wheel of change, transforming scientific endeavors into tangible solutions that uplift society and enrich lives.
“Science in its pure form is a quest for truth, a never-ending pursuit that propels humanity forward, breaking barriers and transcending boundaries,” said El Habti.
At the heart of UM6P’s stated mission is the commitment to training the next generation of leaders, empowering them to become pioneers of change, architects of peace, and champions of progress.
The representative of the Minister of Higher Education echoed the significance of the event, stating, “This scientific manifestation addresses our capacity to constantly readjust our thinking to comprehend the complexity of global challenges.”
Representative of the Minister of Higher Education
He outlined three interdependent axes, emphasizing the need to address planetary challenges, offer paradigm shifts for resilience, and recognize the central role of human capital in navigating the transitions.
As the session unfolded, the discussion delved into the complexities of the modern world, exploring crises that accelerate history and necessitate shifts in technological projects and economic paradigms. Economic, environmental, and health crises were dissected, each presenting a unique set of challenges that demand collective solutions.
The keynote speaker, Alvaro Albaceta, Deputy Secretary, general higher Education & Research; Union for the Mediterranean, brought a unique perspective rooted in his extensive experience, urging a reevaluation of our world’s decisions.
Alvaro Albaceta, Deputy Secretary, general higher Education & Research; Union for the Mediterranean
He challenged the prevailing diagnostic, emphasizing that our current security strategies and tactics are rooted in desires rather than new realities.
Albaceta outlined the incompatibility of economic globalization with global “trademarkization”, advocating for acceptance and collaboration among different systems worldwide.
