UM6P Opens New Branch in New York to Connect Africa with Global Innovation Networks

Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) inaugurated on Monday evening a new branch in the United States, located in New York City, as part of its strategy to strengthen connections between African talents, global research ecosystems, academic networks, entrepreneurs, and industrial investors worldwide.

The new branch, which also includes offices in Cambridge, reflects UM6P’s ambition to integrate Africa into global knowledge, capital, and technology networks, with the goal of supporting sustainable development across the continent.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, UM6P’s President, Hicham El Habti, underlined that the initiative embodies the university’s commitment to fostering meaningful cooperation between Africa and leading global innovation ecosystems. He emphasized that the objective is to address pressing developmental challenges in Morocco and Africa by combining rigorous scientific research with practical, scalable solutions.

El Habti described the American branch as a “two-way bridge,” enabling African startups and entrepreneurs to access venture capital, industrial expertise, and technology networks in North America, while also helping to adapt American innovations to African realities.

He also highlighted UM6P’s ongoing partnerships with leading U.S. institutions such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Stanford University, Arizona State University, and Columbia Business School, covering fields ranging from climate-smart agriculture and green mining to artificial intelligence and green hydrogen.

For his part, Mehdi El Khatib, CEO of UM6P’s U.S. branch, stressed that this expansion demonstrates a firm commitment to building bridges of collaboration and ensuring that African students, researchers, and entrepreneurs are fully engaged in the global knowledge economy. He added that the branch will facilitate joint research projects, academic exchange programs, and immersive opportunities for students to experience the worlds of business and innovation across both continents.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Morocco’s Ambassador to Washington, Youssef Amrani, and the country’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Omar Hilale, alongside prominent U.S. academics, private sector leaders, and distinguished members of the Moroccan diaspora.

This bold expansion reflects UM6P’s vision of building an African-rooted yet globally connected university ecosystem, capable of addressing universal challenges while providing innovative solutions tailored to Africa’s unique context and opportunities.