Moroccan Physical Society

Moroccan Physical Society
Name	Moroccan Physical Society
Native name	Société Marocaine de Physique
Formation	1980s
Type	Learned society
Headquarters	Rabat
Region served	Morocco
Language	Arabic, French, English
Leader title	President

Moroccan Physical Society is a learned society dedicated to advancing physics in Morocco through research, education, and public outreach. It serves as a national hub connecting physicists, universities, research institutes, and international organizations. The Society promotes collaboration among Moroccan scholars and links them with global networks in physics and related sciences.

History

The Society was established in the late 20th century amid growth at institutions such as Mohammed V University, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Cadi Ayyad University, Ibn Tofail University, and University of Marrakech. Early founders included faculty affiliated with Centre National pour la Recherche Scientifique et Technique, researchers from Ecole Mohammadia d'Ingénieurs, and alumni of École Normale Supérieure (Rabat). During its formative years the Society engaged with regional organizations like Union for the Mediterranean initiatives and pan-African groups including African Academy of Sciences and Association of African Universities. The Society held inaugural meetings that attracted delegations from Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (France), CERN, Institut Pasteur, and representatives from United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization offices. Over time it expanded ties to laboratories at Max Planck Society partner centers, collaborations with Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules, and exchanges with École Polytechnique (France). Political and educational reforms in Morocco involving ministries such as Ministry of National Education, Vocational Training, Higher Education and Scientific Research influenced its development alongside international programs like TEMPUS and Horizon 2020 partnerships.

Mission and Objectives

The Society's mission aligns with objectives promoted by organizations such as International Union of Pure and Applied Physics, European Physical Society, American Physical Society, African Physical Society, and Institute of Physics (IOP). Objectives include fostering research excellence at institutes like Université Hassan II, supporting physics curricula reforms at institutions influenced by Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, enhancing capacities at facilities such as Oukaimeden Observatory and linking to projects like Square Kilometre Array coordination. The Society aims to support early-career researchers from places such as Université Mohammed VI Polytechnic and to encourage participation in initiatives like Network for Nuclear Astrophysics or educational programs echoed by United Nations science objectives. It advocates for engagement with funding agencies such as European Research Council, National Science Foundation, and regional funds coordinated by African Development Bank.

Governance and Membership

Governance follows statutes patterned after associations like Royal Society and Académie des Sciences (France), with an elected executive council, committees for education and outreach, and advisory boards including representatives from Université Cadi Ayyad, Université Ibn Zohr, Hassan II Academy of Science and Technology, and industry partners like OCP Group. Membership comprises faculty from departments at Université Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah, researchers from National Institute of Agricultural Research (INRA) Morocco, graduate students from programs linked to École Normale Supérieure (Paris), and professionals affiliated with Moroccan Agency for Energy Efficiency. Honorary members have included individuals with links to CERN, Max Planck Institute for Physics, Imperial College London, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, École Normale Supérieure (Lyon), and other institutions. The Society maintains ethics and awards committees modeled on panels from Royal Astronomical Society and European Research Council review boards.

Activities and Programs

Programs include workshops, summer schools, and training seminars held at venues such as Institut Pasteur de Casablanca, Oujda University, and the University of Marrakech Cadi Ayyad campus. The Society organizes capacity-building initiatives in collaboration with entities like UNESCO Chair in Physics Education, African Light Source planning groups, and technical exchanges with CERN accelerator physicists. Outreach programs target schools associated with Fondation Mohammed VI and science festivals partnering with Festival Mawazine-style events and museums such as Museum of Moroccan Judaism and science centers modeled after Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie (Paris). Professional development for teachers aligns with curricula influenced by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development frameworks and regional networks like Maghreb Union of Universities.

Publications and Conferences

The Society publishes bulletins and proceedings akin to journals associated with European Physical Journal, Physical Review, and regional journals hosted by universities including Bulletin de l'Institut Scientifique, with editorial boards drawing from Université Mohamed V, Université Cadi Ayyad, Université Hassan II, and international scholars from University of Oxford, Sorbonne University, University of Cambridge, Princeton University, University of California, Berkeley, and University of Toronto. It convenes national conferences modeled after International Conference on Physics Education formats, hosts thematic meetings in condensed matter, optics, astrophysics linked to observatories like Observatoire Hassan II, and workshops in particle physics in coordination with Large Hadron Collider outreach. Proceedings have been presented at forums such as African Diaspora Conference and shared in networks like ResearchGate and repositories following open access principles promoted by Plan S supporters.

Collaborations and Partnerships

International partnerships include memoranda of understanding with institutions such as CERN, Institut Pasteur, Max Planck Society, European Southern Observatory, International Centre for Theoretical Physics, African Academy of Sciences, American Physical Society, and regional collaboration with Arab Union of Young Scientists. National collaborations involve ministries and centers like Royal Centre for Remote Sensing, Centre National pour la Recherche Scientifique et Technique, and industrial partners such as OCP Group and energy entities like National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE). The Society participates in multinational projects tied to facilities including ALMA, Square Kilometre Array, ITER, and contributes expertise to advisory panels of African Light Source planning and educational consortia associated with Francophonie University Agency.

Category:Scientific societies Category:Physics organizations