Category: Smart city

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Visite d’une délégation belge à Berkane : Une collaboration renforcée pour l’innovation numérique et le développement durable

La province de Berkane a accueilli une délégation de l’équipe belge, dirigée par M. Stefan Merchert, Chargé d’Affaires de l’Ambassade de Belgique, et M. Nicolas Opel, Directeur national de l’agence Enable, dans le cadre d’une tournée dans la région de l’Est. Cette visite avait pour objectif de découvrir les initiatives numériques innovantes mises en œuvre par la province de Berkane, un modèle exemplaire de transformation numérique au Maroc.

Au cours de cette visite, plusieurs projets novateurs ont été présentés, parmi lesquels :

La numérisation des annexes administratives : Un projet visant à moderniser et simplifier l’accès aux services publics, facilitant ainsi les démarches administratives pour les citoyens.
La plateforme e-Moulouya : Fondée sur l’intelligence artificielle, cette initiative vise à surveiller l’environnement et promouvoir le développement durable en offrant des solutions intelligentes pour la protection et la gestion efficace des ressources naturelles.

Cette visite s’inscrit dans le cadre des préparatifs pour le programme de coopération maroco-belge pour la période 2024-2029, qui met l’accent sur le renforcement des solutions technologiques au service des populations vulnérables, dans l’optique d’assurer une intégration économique et un développement durable.

Le côté belge a exprimé sa profonde admiration pour l’expérience numérique de la province de Berkane, ouvrant ainsi la voie à une collaboration future fructueuse, favorisant l’échange d’expertises et d’expériences entre les deux pays, et contribuant à soutenir les efforts de développement et d’innovations technologiques dans la région.

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Inauguration des annexes administratives numériques : Un pas décisif vers la gouvernance digitale à Berkane

La province de Berkane a marqué aujourd’hui une avancée majeure avec l’inauguration officielle des premières et deuxièmes annexes administratives numériques. Cette initiative illustre l’engagement continu de la province à concrétiser le projet de gouvernance numérique, en parfaite harmonie avec les hautes orientations royales. Elle s’inscrit dans la lignée du succès de la cinquième annexe administrative numérique, qui avait déjà été saluée comme un annexe pilote tant au niveau provincial que national.

La cérémonie, empreinte de solennité, a été présidée par M. Mohamed Ali Habouha, gouverneur de la province de Berkane, en présence de personnalités éminentes telles que le président du Conseil des oulémas, M. Mohamed Jelloul, président du Conseil provincial, M. Mohamed El Ibrahimi, président de la commune de Berkane, ainsi que le Pacha de la ville et le président du groupement des collectivités “Trifa”. De nombreux représentants des autorités locales, des services déconcentrés, des acteurs de la société civile, ainsi qu’un large éventail de citoyens et de personnalités politiques, ont également honoré cet événement de leur présence.

Ce projet novateur vise à révolutionner l’accès des usagers aux services administratifs en simplifiant les démarches et en améliorant considérablement la qualité des prestations offertes. Les nouvelles annexes administratives sont équipées de technologies de pointe, notamment des plateformes interactives, des ordinateurs de dernière génération et des portails numériques intuitifs. Ces infrastructures permettent aux citoyens de bénéficier de services diversifiés, tels que la délivrance de certificats de résidence, d’actes de naissance, d’attestations administratives, ainsi que la gestion des demandes de passeports et le traitement des plaintes. De plus, un portail dédié au suivi des demandes a été mis en place, garantissant ainsi une transparence accrue et une exécution rapide des formalités.

Cette initiative s’inscrit pleinement dans la stratégie du Maroc visant à instaurer une transformation numérique globale. Elle représente une avancée déterminante pour améliorer l’efficience de l’administration publique et répondre aux attentes des citoyens, tout en plaçant la technologie au service de la simplification et de la modernisation des procédures administratives. Par cette réalisation, la province de Berkane réaffirme son rôle de précurseur dans la promotion de l’innovation au bénéfice de ses habitants.

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Forum de la Société Digitale 2024 à Berkane : Transformer l’Éducation par l’Innovation Technologique

Du 24 au 26 juin, la Province de Berkane et le Complexe Majal Berkane ont accueilli la 4ème édition du Forum de la Société Digitale, organisée par la Société de Développement Local Majal Berkane pour l’innovation et l’intelligence territoriale. Placé sous le thème « Éducation et Innovation Technologique : Perspectives pour la Réflexion et l’Innovation », cet événement a marqué une étape cruciale dans l’exploration des opportunités et des défis posés par l’intégration des technologies avancées dans l’éducation. 

Le monde connaît une révolution majeure dans les technologies avancées, apportant des changements rapides dans divers secteurs, notamment l’éducation. L’intégration de ces technologies a ouvert de nouvelles perspectives prometteuses pour améliorer les méthodes d’enseignement, en utilisant des outils de génération de contenu scientifique et en rendant l’éducation plus accessible à un plus grand nombre de personnes. Toutefois, ces transformations posent également des défis importants, tels que des questions éthiques, des inégalités d’accès à la technologie, la protection des données personnelles et la nécessité de sensibiliser les utilisateurs à ces nouvelles technologies. 

En accord avec les directives royales suprêmes et les stratégies nationales illustrées dans le nouveau modèle de développement, la province de Berkane a connu des avancées significatives en matière de transformation numérique. C’est dans ce contexte que s’est déroulée cette quatrième édition du Forum de la Société Digitale, sous le haut patronage de Sa Majesté le Roi Mohammed VI, que Dieu l’assiste. Cet événement a été organisé en partenariat avec la province de Berkane, la Direction Générale des Collectivités Territoriales, le Conseil Provincial de Berkane, le Conseil Communal de Berkane, l’Agence de l’Oriental, l’Université Mohammed Premier et la Fondation Tamkine. L’objectif principal était d’approfondir l’analyse de ces questions et de stimuler la réflexion collective sur les moyens d’innover dans le domaine de l’éducation. 

Ce forum a servi de plateforme pour discuter des défis et des opportunités liés aux nouvelles technologies et à leurs relations avec l’éducation. Il a réuni des experts, des praticiens, des décideurs et des chercheurs, permettant des échanges fructueux et des partages de bonnes pratiques au niveau mondial. Les discussions et les ateliers ont offert un espace de réflexion sur les meilleures pratiques et les innovations dans le domaine éducatif, en insistant sur une transformation éthique et bénéfique pour tous. 

Ainsi, cette édition du Forum de la Société Digitale à Berkane a représenté un catalyseur pour la transformation de l’éducation. Elle a mis en avant l’importance d’une transformation éthique, axée sur l’innovation et l’inclusion, afin de garantir que les avancées technologiques bénéficient à l’ensemble de la société. L’événement a non seulement souligné les défis à relever, mais a également ouvert la voie à de nouvelles collaborations et initiatives pour un avenir éducatif meilleur et plus inclusif. 

Les conférences plénières ont réuni des experts de renommée mondiale, des universitaires et des praticiens issus de divers pays tels que le Maroc, la Tunisie, l’Inde, les États-Unis, le Canada, le Japon et la Chine. Ils ont discuté de plusieurs sujets : 

– L’avenir de l’éducation dans le contexte des nouvelles technologies : opportunités et défis. 

– Innovations technologiques pour le développement de l’éducation : perspectives et nouvelles applications. 

– Éthique et technologies avancées : considérations et impacts sur l’éducation. 

Le hackathon a été l’un des moments forts du Forum de la Société Digitale. Cet événement a rassemblé une soixantaine de jeunes porteurs de projets provenant de diverses régions du Maroc. Les initiatives présentées se sont concentrées sur des thématiques telles que la mobilité scolaire, le suivi des élèves et le soutien scolaire, en s’appuyant sur des plateformes et des solutions technologiques innovantes. Les trois projets gagnants de cette édition ont été “My Way”, “Sela” et “School Mobility”. 

La Foire Digitale a offert aux entreprises technologiques, aux start-ups locales, aux institutions éducatives et aux associations une plateforme pour présenter leurs produits, services et initiatives liés à l’éducation et aux technologies avancées. 

En marge de cette édition, et en lien avec l’enseignement, l’éducation et l’intelligence artificielle, des conventions ont été signées entre la Société de Développement Local Majal Berkane et l’International Federation of Global and Green Information Communication Technology (IFGICT), ainsi qu’avec la Fondation Tamkine.  

Des ateliers pratiques ont également été organisés pour fournir aux participants des compétences concrètes dans le domaine des technologies éducatives. Ces ateliers ont couvert une gamme de sujets tels que l’utilisation des outils numériques en classe et la création de contenus éducatifs interactifs. Enfin, des réunions de mise en réseau ont offert aux participants l’occasion de rencontrer leurs pairs, des experts et des leaders d’opinion pour échanger des idées et explorer de nouvelles opportunités de collaboration. 

Nous reviendrons avec des articles plus détaillés sur les différents axes et éléments phares de cette édition. 

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Gitex Africa 2024: Participation of Majal Berkane in the digital transition and Smart Cities 

Majal Berkane took part in GITEX AFRICA MOROCCO 2024, the continent's largest technology and startup event, which was held in Marrakech from May 29 to 31. Supported by the Ministry of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, this second edition of GITEX AFRICA in Marrakech confirmed Morocco's positioning as a technological hub in Africa. Majal Berkane played an active and significant role there.

Represented by Dr. Badr Ben Hichou, Director of Information Systems and DGA, Majal Berkane was invited by the Ministry of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform as well as by the Digital Development Agency. During his speech at the E-Gov pavilion, Dr. Badr Ben Hichou shared success stories and digital transition and smart city projects carried out in Berkane. He also highlighted initiatives aimed at optimizing public services through the digitalization of processes. 

In addition to his presentation, Dr. Badr Ben Hichou participated in a round table at the APEBI Pavilion. This discussion focused on challenges and best practices in data governance in smart cities and brought together Moroccan startups specializing in BIM and digital twins. It was a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas and explore innovative solutions, thus strengthening collaboration between different players in the digital sector. 

Alongside the work of this edition, networking and exchange meetings took place, bringing together various players and experts in the field. Among them, representatives of Majal, Dr Badr Ben Hichou and Dr Zakaria Charouh. These meetings were a valuable opportunity to share best practices and discuss current trends in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) and Smart Cities. The discussions covered a wide range of topics, including the latest technological advances, practical applications of AI in urban management, and strategies to promote smarter and sustainable cities. 

Majal Berkane's participation in GITEX AFRICA 2024 illustrates its continued commitment to digital transformation and its leadership role in the development of smart solutions for public services. 

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Towards a Sustainable Future: Berkane Smart City, Emerging Model of Smart City

"The Province of Berkane, located in the eastern region of Morocco at the extreme northeast of the country and bordering Algeria, has benefited from dynamic international collaboration with members from different regions, including Africans, Asians, and Americans, who have contributed to the significant development of the province. Berkane Smart City, an emerging concept, positions the province as a major technological and ecological hub. Through this international openness and fruitful collaborations, Berkane has positioned itself as a rapidly expanding smart city model, ready to face the challenges of the future while showcasing its cultural diversity and innovative potential. Berkane is a key player in innovation and sustainable development, poised to tackle tomorrow's challenges to create a smarter, greener, and more resilient urban environment."
"It translates into the celebration of several major achievements in the field of urban innovation. First and foremost, the province has won the Seoul Smart City Prize, a prestigious accolade that recognizes the efforts of smart cities worldwide. This victory underscores Berkane's commitment to cutting-edge technologies and sustainable solutions to enhance the quality of life for its citizens."
"Furthermore, Berkane successfully hosted the Berkane International Symposium Smart City, a prominent event that brought together experts and key stakeholders in the field of smart cities. Additionally, the Digital Society Forum in Berkane: Big Data for Smart Territories. Conferences, Hackathon, and Innovation brought together to shape the digital and sustainable future. These events facilitated the exchange of innovative ideas and highlighted Berkane's progress in the field of smart urbanism and environmental sustainability."
"Thus, Berkane has solidified its commitment to a greener future by installing electric vehicle charging stations. This initiative is part of a comprehensive approach to promote the transition to cleaner mobility and reduce the province's carbon footprint. In summary, Berkane is firmly positioning itself as a major player in urban innovation and environmental sustainability through its Berkane Smart City initiative. International partnerships, notable achievements, and concrete actions clearly illustrate the growing importance of Berkane as a smart city model. Berkane Smart City emerges as a model of smart city, combining innovation, sustainability, and international collaboration."

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When Artificial Intelligence Meets Youth: Majal Berkane at the Oujda Book Fair

 

At the heart of the excitement of the 4thrd édition du  Salon Maghrébin du Livre à Oujda, l’Espace Jeunesse a été le théâtre d’une discussion passionnante sur l’Intelligence Artificielle au Service de la Jeunesse, animée par Majal Berkane. C’était une véritable plongée dans un monde où la technologie se met au service de l’autonomie et de l’innovation des jeunes.

AI is no longer just an abstract concept; it has become a daily companion for youth, guiding them towards a future where technology and humanity harmoniously converge. Whether in education, innovation, arts, or sciences, AI serves as a facilitator, thereby enhancing the academic, social, and professional performances of young people.

Walid Amara's intervention, as an Artificial Intelligence consultant at Majal Berkane, shed light on the innovative projects developed by the team, focusing on urban and environmental challenges. From managing stray dogs to public security and traffic management, facial recognition solutions, and surveillance devices, Majal Berkane is fully committed to creating smart and secure cities.

Participating in the Book Fair underscores Majal Berkane's social and societal commitment, aiming to share and impart knowledge for the well-being of society. It's a beautiful demonstration of their vision centered on values of sharing and innovation.        

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Berkane, epicenter of innovation: An edition of the Berkane International Symposium Smart City for sustainable and resilient cities. 

Berkane recently shone under the spotlight of science during an international event dedicated to sustainable smart cities. This knowledge celebration took place with great enthusiasm on February 27th and 28th at the headquarters of the Province of Berkane. The orchestration of this exceptional event was the result of collaboration among several committed partners, including the Province of Berkane, the Ministry of National Territorial Planning, Urbanism, Housing, and City Policy, the Provincial Council of Berkane, the municipality of Berkane, the Oriental Regional Development Agency, the Moroccan School of Engineering Sciences, the Regional Investment Center of the Oriental region, Mohammed I University of Oujda, Majal Berkane for Innovation and Territorial Intelligence, and African Smart Territories. The theme of this international event was ‘Sustainable Smart Cities: Preparedness and Resilience in the Face of Climate and Environmental Challenges. 

 Beyond the scientific exchanges, a decisive moment marked the margins of the event. Indeed, a convention was signed between the Province of Berkane, the Oriental Development Agency, and Majal Berkane, sealing their joint commitment to creating an intelligent territorial management center for Berkane. 

 The organizers highlighted this crucial theme due to the degradation of the climate situation in Morocco, characterized by an increase in drought rates and natural phenomena such as earthquakes. 

 Distinguished experts, inspiring researchers, and visionary entrepreneurs from Japan, Italy, Germany, France, Indonesia, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, South Korea, as well as from Beni Mellal, Benguerir, Chefchaouen, Agadir, and other Moroccan cities and around the world, shared their pioneering experiences in intelligent management of natural resources, sustainable urban planning, technological innovation, smart agriculture, and rural resilience. They presented a multitude of digital solutions for water management, energy, public lighting, waste, urban traffic, as well as technological solutions for monitoring and responding to natural and environmental phenomena. 

 Berkane thus played a bridging role between Moroccan cities and countries worldwide through the ‘Berkane International Symposium Smart City,’ an international symposium on smart cities. Over the editions, this symposium has become a platform for exchanging experiences and best practices. 

 In the context of discussions about digital dynamics that place citizens at the heart of their concerns, with intelligent management of diverse economic and social interests in daily life, up to improving quality of life with an emphasis on the environment, the municipality of Berkane, as a model community in the Province, showcased its journey in digital transformation. It highlighted several applications related to project monitoring, stock management, and an electronic archiving system developed by Majal Berkane for Innovation and Territorial Intelligence. This entity is recognized as a technological arm supporting local authorities in their technological transition, constituting an innovative experience at the national level. 

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Participation of Mr. Mohamed Ali Habouha: An Insight into the Sustainable and Inclusive Governance Model at the Sustainable Mobility Forum in Rabat

The city of Rabat recently hosted the “Sustainable Mobility Forum Meeting,” an event organized by the Ministry of Transport and Logistics on Wednesday, January 31. The event was marked by the presence of influential personalities such as Mr. Mohammed Abdeljalil, Minister of Transport and Logistics, Mr. Nizar Baraka, Minister of Equipment and Water, Mr. Mohamed Ali Habouha, Governor of the Province of Berkane, Mr. Rachid El Abdi, President of the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra Region, as well as experts and professionals in digital, artificial intelligence, and sustainable mobility from both the public and private sectors.

This initiative emerged in response to the growing environmental challenges posed by greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector in Morocco. Alarming figures reveal emissions of about 35 million tons of CO2, doubling the 2015 figures according to ITF2019. The transport sector accounts for 28% of greenhouse gas emissions, ranking second after the energy sector, which contributes 40%.

The forum was structured around several panels focusing on the vision of sustainable and inclusive mobility for Morocco, the transition to a sustainable and inclusive mode of mobility, corporate responsibility in this area, and the role of technological innovation in supporting sustainable and inclusive mobility.

These panels covered various topics, including political leaders' vision for sustainable mobility, specific objectives and deployment mechanisms, social and technological innovations, ongoing infrastructure projects to promote sustainable mobility, and the private sector's involvement in implementing the political vision.

The role of digital and AI in transport management, benefits for road safety, intelligent navigation solutions, practical applications, smart cities, and the sharing economy were the main themes discussed during the panels.

Berkane was represented at the forum, showcasing its experience and digital transformation journey. The Governor of the Province, Mohamed Ali Habouha, led a delegation that shared the strategic vision “BIGGEST” (Berkane Inclusive Good Governance and Eco Smart and Sustainable Territory). This vision has been realized over the past five years through projects such as inclusive mobility, smart traffic management, the installation of electric vehicle charging stations, and the Digital Twin, making Berkane a nationally and internationally recognized Smart City model.

Dr. Badr Ben Hichou, Director of Information Systems at Majal Berkane, participated as a panelist in the 3rd Panel on the role of technological innovation in sustainable and inclusive mobility. He shared concrete examples of fleet management projects, such as the household waste collection fleet and the urban and interurban transport fleet.

The forum also included a workshop on electric mobility, aimed at collectively raising awareness about the challenges and opportunities of this new era. Sessions such as “Inspire” and “Innov & Transform” highlighted stimulating experiences and perspectives for the future of sustainable mobility.     

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Toward the Emergence of Berkane as a Sustainable and Innovative City: A Look Back at the Second Phase of the Moroccan VDI Labeling Program

In the second phase of the Moroccan VDI (Sustainable and Innovative City) labeling program, held in the presence of Governor Mohammed Ali Habouha and the Secretary-General, representatives from the BET SUD Study Office, as well as community leaders, heads of economic, social, cultural, and digital divisions, and service delegates gathered in the province of Berkane on Friday, December 15.

This stage focused on Berkane’s participation in the labeling program. The initiative aims to enhance collaboration in defining references for a sustainable and innovative city, based on feedback from the eight leading communities. A multidisciplinary panel of experts contributed to evaluating these reference areas, including self-assessment. The references that will form the basis for Moroccan signage have been established and will be used to name new communities in the future. The program’s main objective is to improve quality of life by implementing local policies that preserve the environment, reduce social and economic disparities, and enhance public services. In this context, Berkane was chosen due to its distinctive features and forward-looking vision, having received awards in Bucharest and Seoul.

Each division presented projects across various domains, including infrastructure enhancement, digital technology utilization, road network development, improvement of property tax systems, archives management system development, enhanced hospitality services, and fleet management. Culturally, the city hosted a national arts festival and introduced initiatives related to theater, sports, and music. Agreements were also signed to strengthen cultural exchanges, including the renovation of an existing cinematheque and the construction of a new one. Berkane also strives to promote citizen participation through a system for documenting issues requiring attention from authorities, as well as improvements in the development of geographic information systems for urban and rural transportation, along with the BHAS project—a “Effective Solution for Stray Animal Control.

To approach the third phase, project prioritization and document consolidation are necessary to ensure continued success and ongoing improvement in implementing projects that promote sustainable development. This stage requires a robust strategy, including defining sustainable objectives and measuring impact through measurable indicators

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The Province of Berkane at the forefront of Urban Innovation during the Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona

A delegation from the Province of Berkane, led by Governor Mohamed Ali Habouha, actively participated in the Smart City Expo World Congress, a major event dedicated to smart urban solutions which recently animated Barcelona. Held from November 7-9, this meeting provided a dynamic platform bringing together innovative minds from around the world, bringing together experts, businesses and policy makers to discuss the latest advances in the field of smart cities.

The prestigious Barcelona Exhibition Center served as the setting for this visionary event, attracting thousands of participants eager to discover how emerging technologies are helping to shape the future of cities. Representatives from municipalities, technology companies, start-ups and government organizations converged in this environment conducive to collaboration and the exchange of ideas.

This year’s edition of the Smart City Expo World Congress highlighted key themes influencing the global evolution of smart cities, including environmental sustainability, smart connectivity and citizen-driven governance.

Environmental Sustainability: Discussions centered around the integration of green technologies to create sustainable cities, emphasizing renewable energy, waste management and reducing carbon emissions.

Smart Connectivity: Exhibitors showcased significant advancements in smart connectivity, exploring ways to improve everyday life through robust technology infrastructure, including 5G, Internet of Things (IoT) and smart mobility.

Governance and Citizen Participation: Citizen participation in urban planning and governance was a key focus, with sessions examining how digital technologies can strengthen collaboration between citizens and decision-makers, making cities more inclusive and responsive.

The event saw numerous demonstrations of innovative products and solutions, showcasing smart city prototypes, IoT applications, electric mobility solutions and data management platforms. These innovations point to a future where technology shapes every aspect of urban life.

This year's Smart City Expo World Congress clearly defined priorities for the future of smart cities, highlighting the need to adopt sustainable approaches, harness the power of data and increase citizen participation to create environments more intelligent, resilient and inclusive urban areas.

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