UM6P Launches CoreLabs, a New African Scientific Platform
UM6P Unveils CoreLabs: A New Scientific Platform for Africa
On Thursday, the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) inaugurated the UM6P CoreLabs in Benguerir, a next-generation multidisciplinary scientific platform aimed at enhancing research, innovation, and training capabilities across Africa.
This initiative is part of a strategic vision to bolster the continent’s technological and scientific sovereignty, particularly at a time when global competitiveness hinges on control over infrastructure and data, as much as it does on funding and academic training.
Until now, many African researchers have had to rely on international laboratories, facing long delays, access constraints, and a loss of data control. The UM6P CoreLabs addresses this gap by providing an integrated environment where observation, experimentation, analysis, and validation can be conducted locally, adhering to the highest international standards.
The infrastructure is built around three major platforms:
Imaging and Characterization CoreLab: This facility offers state-of-the-art equipment, such as a Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) and a Focused Ion Beam (FIB), essential for nanometric analysis in advanced materials, energy transition, precision agriculture, and medical applications.
According to Issam Rabtti, director of UM6P CoreLabs, this achievement marks a pivotal advancement in asserting African scientific sovereignty and creating local value.
BioSciences CoreLab: As highlighted by Zineb Rchiad, this platform is a fundamental pillar for research in biotechnology and genomics. It facilitates the study of complex biological systems and supports applications ranging from precision medicine to food security, enhancing Africa’s mastery over biological data.
Analytical Chemistry CoreLab: This facility provides advanced technologies for detecting pollutants, trace metals, and emerging substances in natural environments. It offers researchers and policymakers strategic analytical tools for sustainable development.
Beyond equipment, UM6P CoreLabs embodies an integrated scientific ecosystem, promoting collaboration between academia, industry, and research centers. Designed as an open continental hub, it aims to accelerate African innovation and transform research into practical solutions for regional development.
