UM6P and Syensqo Launch AI Lab to Accelerate Sustainable Materials and Industrial Solutions
Benguerir - Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) and materials science company Syensqo have signed a partnership to build a new artificial intelligence laboratory focused on sustainable industrial solutions. The collaboration, formalized at UM6P's campus, aims to close the gap between academic research and real industrial applications through AI-driven development.
At the center of the agreement is the Syensqo AI Lab, housed within UM6P's new AI-ARC (Accelerated Research Center). The lab will develop "next-generation agentic AI technologies" for chemistry and materials science, advancing both AI systems and advanced materials for industry.
Syensqo has opened a dedicated office on campus so its engineers and scientists can work alongside UM6P researchers, PhD candidates, and undergraduates. The setup is built for direct collaboration, quick experimentation, and faster paths from concept to usable technology.
Vision from the leaders
Telling her success story rising from Casablanca's Derb Sultan to the CEO seat, Ilham Kadri put it plainly: "At Syensqo, we believe that the future of sustainable industry will be shaped by the intelligent fusion of materials science and artificial intelligence." She added, "With this lab, we aim to turn this vision into action - accelerating innovation, empowering young talent, and creating solutions that have real impact on people and the planet."
Speaking on the sidelines of the signing, Kadri called it "a great milestone to be at UM6P and to sign the alliance with the university," praising UM6P as "one of the best universities in Morocco, probably in Africa, but definitely in the world." As a Moroccan, she highlighted the transformation of Benguerir and the rise of its academic infrastructure. "Long life to our alliance with UM6P," she concluded.
UM6P's President Hicham El Habti framed the partnership in practical terms: "At UM6P, we measure the value of research by its ability to create tangible solutions. Our collaboration with Syensqo allows us to integrate advanced AI with industrial applications, transforming laboratory discoveries into technologies that can enhance efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and generate new economic opportunities."
Scope, leadership, and how the lab will operate
The lab will be co-led by Professor Lamia Azizi, director of UM6P's AI-ARC, and Vincent Colegrave, Syensqo's head of AI. Their mandate: apply advanced AI research to materials science and chemistry to deliver more sustainable, more innovative products to market.
Azizi called the collaboration "very strategic," describing it as "a great marriage between the technical and the applied market and sources." UM6P brings state-of-the-art AI technologies and technical expertise; Syensqo brings deep knowledge in chemical sciences, materials, and industrial markets.
What this means for scientists and engineers
- Integrated teams: co-located researchers, engineers, and students working shoulder to shoulder on priority use cases.
- Focus on impact: applying agentic AI to chemistry and materials problems tied to clear industrial needs and sustainability goals.
- Real-world exposure: UM6P students gain hands-on experience with live industrial challenges; internships are already feeding talent into projects.
- Executive learning: both organizations plan executive training programs to upskill leaders and technical teams.
Why Syensqo chose UM6P
For Syensqo - a company focused on science serving humanity in electrification, connectivity, light-weighting, and biotechnology - the draw is clear: access to top talent in generative and agentic AI, plus the speed and infrastructure UM6P can provide. As Kadri put it, "It's an opportunity for us to tap into the best talents available on Gen.AI, which is the future."
Momentum already in place
This partnership builds on an existing relationship. UM6P and Syensqo are founding partners in Climate Impulse, explorer Bertrand Piccard's initiative to develop the first hydrogen-powered aircraft capable of flying non-stop around the world. After the signing, UM6P students who completed internships at Syensqo shared how the collaboration exposed them to advanced industrial and research environments - a sign of the lab's intended direction.
Learn more
Explore the institutions behind the partnership: UM6P and Syensqo.
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