Hassan II University of Casablanca is engaged in a vast project of restructuring scientific research for the period 2025 - 2028, based on an ambitious objective: to enhance scientific performance while optimizing the governance of laboratories.

Here are the key initiatives implemented as part of this project:

I-Research Laboratories: Towards Performance Optimization

Objectives of Restructuring:

• Refocusing efforts and strengthening capacities: Reducing the number of laboratories from 125 to 70 - 80, prioritizing scientific quality and performance.
• Improvement of governance and thematic coherence: Refocusing teams and researchers around specific axes to enhance their specialization and effectiveness.
• Strengthening multidisciplinarity: Launching CTRI projects to ensure institutional coherence.
• Anticipating retirements: Encouraging generational renewal among team leaders and laboratory directors.

Actions Taken:

• Revision of regulations: Aiming for excellence and aspiring to meet international standards: Adoption by the CU of the Accreditation Regulation for Research Structures, the Standard Internal Regulation for Laboratories, and Evaluation Grids.
• Digitalization of research management (NIBRAS Platform): Implementation of digital tools for simplified, transparent, and effective evaluation of laboratory performance and for managing researchers' requests online.
• Strengthening multidisciplinarity: Launching CTRI projects to ensure institutional coherence.
• Accreditation of laboratories: Evaluation of laboratory projects for their accreditation and ranking.

II- Thematic Research and Innovation Centers (CTRI):

The CTRI are cross-disciplinary structures aiming to federate research teams around strategic projects aligned with national and regional priorities.

Strategic Objectives of CTRI:

• Responding to national and regional research and innovation priorities.
• Promoting multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches.
• Pooling human and material resources, particularly heavy equipment.
• Encouraging quality scientific publications and participation in international projects.
• Developing human and social sciences (SHS) to better understand social challenges.

Operation of CTRI:

• One Center, One Project: Each CTRI is structured around a strategic project involving several laboratories.
• Participation Criteria: Minimum of 6 laboratories from 3 institutions and 2 disciplinary fields.
• Funding Duration: 4 years with regular evaluation of scientific impact.
• CTRI Accreditation 2025 - 2028: Adoption by the CU of 10 CTRI.
• Calls for CTRI Projects: Launch starting February 2025 for financing projects contained within the CTRI. One project per CTRI, and one laboratory can participate in 2 CTRI with two different teams.

The capacities of CTRI will be strengthened by their alignment with the City of Innovation and Technology Transfer and its 5 technical platforms.