UIR’s CENTER FOR INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Innovation at UIR: Spotlight on the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
An Interview with Prof. Mohsine Bouya, General Director of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) and a full professor at UIR.
The International University of Rabat (UIR) has launched its Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) to foster innovation and entrepreneurship across Africa. Located on UIR’s campus, the CIE aims to become a hub of creativity and technological enhancement and a launch pad for early-stage university spinouts.
Since its establishment in 2010, UIR has promoted a culture of innovation. The CIE enhances industrial and territorial competitiveness through impactful Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI), transforming research findings into practical applications, supporting startups, and building solid socioeconomic partnerships.
The CIE positions UIR as a leader in African innovation, emphasizing leadership in innovative practices, fostering industrial partnerships, and meeting regional needs. The CIE creates a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem by supporting startups and promoting student innovation.
Situated at the heart of UIR’s campus, the CIE facilitates interdisciplinary collaboration. Projects highlight partnerships with industrial sectors to develop cutting-edge technologies. A notable example is UIR’s Tech Center, a platform for prototype development, technology integration, and rigorous testing.
Prof. Mohsin Bouya, Director of the CIE, remarked, “The CIE exemplifies how universities can drive innovation across disciplines. Our support for students and young entrepreneurs has unlocked exciting possibilities, and we are thrilled to assist in turning innovative ideas into reality.”
The CIE focuses on drones, agriculture, energy, electric mobility, solar power, water management, and public lighting, ensuring tangible impacts from invention to minimum viable product (MVP).
UIR has filed 604 patents, including 112 international patents, making it a leading patent applicant in Africa. UIR’s 360° Incubator supports innovative projects, providing mentoring, funding, entrepreneurship training, and seed and acceleration capital access.
Awards and Recognitions: The CIE’s excellence is reflected in its accolades, including the first prize for technological innovation (2014), the University Business Competitiveness Award (2017), the Web Science Prize (2019), and multiple gold medals at international exhibitions in 2024.
The CIE aligns with Morocco’s strategic goals, fostering South-South cooperation and enhancing the nation’s global innovation standing, echoing the Atlantic initiatives led by King Mohammed VI.
For more information or collaboration opportunities, contact Dr Bouya.