Casablanca – The University of Fez (UPF) will host a regional digital summit tomorrow to present four projects aimed at strengthening the region’s technological infrastructure, improving digital healthcare, and supporting artificial intelligence research.
The summit, titled “Fez-Meknes Smart & Sovereign Region 2030,” will bring together representatives of public institutions, businesses, universities, and technology experts to discuss the region’s digital development in line with Morocco’s Digital Morocco 2030 strategy.
The four projects include the Fez-Meknes Regional Micro Data Center, the Fez-Meknes Digital Health Living Lab, the Regional SOC / Cybersecurity Hub, and the Fez-Meknes Digital Innovation & AI Lab.
The first project will focus on providing local, high-availability data hosting infrastructure. According to the organizers, the Micro Data Center is intended to support regional digital services, critical data storage, and new artificial intelligence applications.
The project will also serve as the infrastructure base for the other initiatives, particularly the regional cybersecurity center and digital health laboratory.
The second project, the Digital Health Living Lab, will focus on using artificial intelligence and data to improve healthcare services. The initiative is designed to bring together healthcare professionals, researchers, and technology companies to test and develop digital health applications.
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The laboratory will rely on the region’s digital infrastructure and data center to support experimentation in areas including telemedicine and clinical artificial intelligence.
Cybersecurity will form another part of the program through the proposed Regional SOC / Cybersecurity Hub. The center, which will be connected to the Micro Data Center, will focus on monitoring and protecting critical infrastructure and local authorities against cyber threats.
Its work will include security operations, cyber threat intelligence, and incident response. The summit’s program also includes discussions on protecting hospitals, universities, businesses, and public institutions.
The fourth initiative, the Digital Innovation & AI Lab, will focus on research, entrepreneurship, and developing local technological skills. The platform will provide computing and prototyping resources for teachers, students, and startups in the region.
The project aims to support experimentation and help turn research ideas into practical applications, while creating opportunities for young people interested in technology and entrepreneurship.
The summit will open with speeches from representatives of UPF, the Fez-Meknes regional administration, and several government departments, including the Ministry of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation.
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The morning session will examine the development of regional digital infrastructure, with contributions from the president of the Regional Council, the Digital Development Agency (ADD), Maroc Data Center, and Rwadtech.
Afternoon discussions will focus on digital healthcare, cybersecurity, and the relationship between universities, research, and entrepreneurship. Participants will also examine how regional infrastructure can support the development and use of artificial intelligence.
The event will conclude at 6 p.m. with a summary of the discussions and the signing of partnership agreements, according to the organizers.
The initiative comes as Morocco continues to implement its Digital Morocco 2030 strategy, launched in September 2024. The national strategy aims to position the country as a digital hub, expand public service digitization, develop digital skills, and strengthen the digital economy.
The government has set a target of creating 240,000 direct jobs in the digital economy by 2030. It also aims to increase the contribution of the digital sector to the national economy.
UPF said the summit will provide a meeting point for public institutions, academic institutions, and businesses to identify areas of cooperation and connect scientific research with the region’s economic and development priorities.
