Simoldes strengthens its presence in Morocco with a strategic partnership with IBN Tofail University

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Marrocos

Kenitra, Morocco – July 2, 2025

Simoldes Plásticos Maroc, a Simoldes Group company located in Kenitra, Morocco, has taken another significant step in its strategy to build closer ties with the academic  ecosystem by signing a cooperation agreement with IBN Tofail University (UIT) in Kenitra. The official ceremony took place at the university’s premises and was attended by several institutional, academic, and diplomatic figures from both countries.

The event was sponsored by His Excellency the Ambassador of Portugal to Morocco, Carlos Pereira Marques, and featured speeches by the President of UIT, Prof. Mohamed Larbi Kerkeb, the Vice-Rector of the University of Aveiro, Prof. Artur Silva, Ms. Fatine Mabkhout, Director-General of BakersLake Advisory, and the President of the Simoldes Group, of which Simoldes Plásticos Maroc is a part, António da Silva Rodrigues. The ceremony also included the signing of a protocol between UIT and the University of Aveiro, reinforcing the multilateral dimension of the cooperation.

IBN Tofail University, recently ranked as the best university in Morocco in international rankings, is recognized for its commitment to innovation, applied research, and excellence in education. This partnership with Simoldes Plásticos Maroc is a strategic response to the need to align higher education with the challenges and demands of industry, particularly the automotive sector.

“The signing of this protocol is a great satisfaction for our group. It represents a firm step in consolidating the already strong relations between Simoldes and Morocco—with its economy, universities, and population. We are investing in the future, focusing on knowledge, talent, and innovation,” said António Rodrigues.

The agreement now signed provides for active collaboration on several fronts:

  1. Joint participation in research and development projects, focusing on technological innovation and sustainability;
  2. Exchange of teachers and specialists, promoting the sharing of knowledge and best practices.
  3. Creation of courses and training modules aligned with the needs of the automotive industry;
  4. Promotion of internships and end-of-course projects for UIT students at Simoldes’ facilities;
  5. Development of continuing education programs for Simoldes employees, with preferential conditions;

To ensure effective monitoring of the protocol’s implementation, a monitoring committee will be set up, composed of representatives from both institutions, with the task of defining annual action plans and evaluating the results obtained.

Simoldes’ presence in Morocco dates back to 2019, with the creation of Simoldes Plásticos Maroc in the Atlantic Free Zone in Kenitra. The choice of country was strategic, taking into account its proximity to major automotive OEMs (such as Stellantis and Renault), political stability, quality of infrastructure, and availability of local talent.

This new protocol reinforces Simoldes’ commitment to the sustainable development of its operation in Morocco, focusing on a long-term relationship with the academic world and the local community.

📽️ Video of the event: Watch here