Exchange space
In partnership with the Oum Er-Rbia Cluster Group of agri-food industries, the Fkih Ben Salah Higher School of Technology organized, Thursday April 23, 2026, a major scientific event, Agro Challenge USMS -COER, under the theme “Challenge in agri-food innovation”. This initiative is part of a dynamic of strengthening bridges between the university and its socio-economic environment, particularly in the strategic sector of agri-food industries.
In his opening speech, the director of the EST of Fkih Ben Salah, El Mostafa Rakib, stressed that this event goes beyond the framework of a classic academic meeting to position itself as a real space for exchange between the requirements of university training and those of the job market. He also highlighted the strategic nature of the agri-food sector, marked by profound changes and offering promising prospects for the national economy. Innovation, he insisted, now constitutes an essential lever allowing university establishments to fully integrate into the dynamics of economic transformation, in particular through the promotion of a spirit of initiative and creativity among students.
Concerning agri-food innovation, the director stressed that in Morocco it is changing, driven by the need to adapt to climate change, improve export competitiveness and ensure food sovereignty. The sector is transforming to integrate sustainable technologies. Innovation focuses on resilience to climate change, food sovereignty and agricultural digitalization, with particular emphasis on local valorization and traceability. And to conclude that “the results of monitoring our graduates are very positive: the integration rate exceeds 80%, whether on the job market or in the pursuit of higher studies within faculties or engineering schools”.
For her part, the vice-president of Sultan Moulay Slimane University noted that the AgroChallenge Innov 2026 aims to propose concrete solutions for the modernization of Moroccan agro-industry. “Our objective is to optimize food security while complying with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This initiative aligns perfectly with the strategic orientations of the Kingdom, as formulated by His Majesty King Mohammed VI in His speech of July 29, 2024. And to conclude: “The current context requires us to undergo rapid transformation to meet several imperatives. First, consumers’ demand for greater transparency and nutritional quality. Then, the ecological transition, which has become essential to reduce the environmental impact of our production methods. Finally, the technological revolution, which offers unprecedented opportunities, ranging from artificial intelligence applied to industrial processes to biotechnology and precision agriculture.
The event brought together students from Sultan Moulay Slimane University, as well as six teams representing the Fkih Ben Salah Higher School of Technology. Students from the National School of Applied Sciences of Béni Mellal and the Faculty of Science and Technology of the same city also took part.
At the end of the work, a specialized technical jury selected five innovative projects, rewarded with financial prizes. These initiatives cover various areas, including the valorization of milk and carob derivatives, the development of new food products, as well as the design of intelligent food waste treatment solutions based on artificial intelligence.
Among the winning projects, the Fkih Ben Salah Higher School of Technology stood out by winning three out of five prizes, financed by the Oum Er-Rbia Group of Agri-Food Industries, which will also provide support and incubation for the winning projects.
In an atmosphere marked by competition and innovation, this initiative illustrated the growing dynamism of the Moroccan university in terms of supporting young talents and strengthening their involvement in economic development issues.
Note that this meeting was marked by the organization of a scientific conference devoted to the theme of “entrepreneurship and innovative startups”, aimed at encouraging students to engage in the entrepreneurial world. This was followed by the official launch of an innovation competition, during which nine projects related to the agri-food sector were presented.
