Rabat: Through this collaboration, Cisco and UIR intend to focus on cybersecurity and AI, ambitioning to position UIR as a strategic hub for development and innovation. Cisco aims to foster synergy between the university, the private sector, and public institutions in order to accelerate innovation, create a lasting impact in the region, and train the next generation of tech leaders, particularly through programs like the Cisco Networking Academy.

According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, this initiative aligns with the broader goal of supporting Morocco’s rapidly growing innovation ecosystem. The EDGE Centre (Experience, Design, Go-to-market, Earn) is part of Cisco’s global Country Digital Acceleration program, which promotes digital transformation by connecting academia, startups, industry stakeholders, and public institutions to speed up the adoption of emerging technologies.

The signing ceremony was attended by Francine Katsoudas, Executive Vice President and Chief People, Policy and Purpose Officer at C
isco, Meryem Medaghri Alaoui, Managing Director of Cisco Morocco, and Noureddine Mouaddib, UIR’s President. On this occasion, Katsoudas emphasized that the initiative lays the foundation for future digital growth across North Africa, noting that with ten Cisco innovation centers across the African continent, “we are working alongside nations to unlock the potential of AI and advanced technologies.”

“Our collaboration is part of Cisco’s global vision to train three million skilled professionals across Africa in support of a secure and inclusive digital future for all,” she added.