L’Oréal-UNESCO Program: Five Maghreb Researchers Awarded
L’Oréal-UNESCO Program Honors Five Maghreb Researchers
On Monday in Rabat, five female researchers from the Maghreb were recognized during the 19th edition of the L’Oréal-UNESCO "For Women in Science" Young Talents Maghreb program. This initiative aims to promote female excellence in scientific research.
The award recipients for this edition include Moroccan researchers Samira Oubannin, Ferdaous Idlahcen, and Sofia Sehli, along with Tunisian Souhir Belloumi and Algerian Samira Gouffi. Each laureate received a grant of 10,000 euros to support the advancement of their work in innovative fields such as bioinformatics, biotechnology, civil engineering, analytical chemistry, and artificial intelligence.
A distinguished jury, chaired by Professor Abdelaziz Benjouad, Vice-President for Research and Development at the International University of Rabat (UIR), selected the five candidates from a pool of high-level applications.
On this occasion, Leila Benali, the Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, commended L’Oréal and UNESCO for their commitment to promoting women in science. She underscored the vital role female researchers play in strategic sectors such as energy, the environment, nuclear technology, and clean technologies.
Benali also highlighted the importance of investments made in national laboratories, particularly in the areas of batteries, energy storage, and applied artificial intelligence, all of which are highly competitive environments requiring expertise and innovation.
Hicham El Habti, President of Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), congratulated the award winners, noting that women represent 55% of the university’s student community. He emphasized initiatives aimed at young African female researchers, such as the Mastercard Foundation and the "African Women in Tech and AI" program.
Charaf Ahmimed, the regional director of UNESCO for the Maghreb, reminded attendees that the UNESCO-L’Oréal partnership, which has been established for 27 years and spans over 110 countries, facilitates the creation of an international network of female researchers, fostering mentorship, cooperation, and visibility.
Laila Benjelloun, Managing Director of L’Oréal Morocco, highlighted the courage, perseverance, and resilience of these young women, stating, "The world needs science, and science needs women," who bring essential and fresh perspectives to research.
Since its inception in Morocco in 2006 and its expansion to the Maghreb in 2013, the L’Oréal-UNESCO "For Women in Science" program has awarded 90 young female scientists, contributing to a more inclusive research environment and breaking down persistent barriers in the scientific field.
