Innovation Competition: Thirteen Awarded Projects
· Prizes of up to 100,000 DH
· Two projects at the Sustainable Development Symposium in Geneva
Thirteen winners were honored last Tuesday in Casablanca during the award ceremony of the 5th Innovation Competition. Organized by the Moroccan Association for Research and Development (R&D Maroc), this event aims to promote research and development through a spirit of competition that it seeks to instill in companies. The goal of the biennial competition is to raise awareness about innovation, but also to "bring young people and universities closer together," explains Mourad Cherif, president of R&D Maroc.
The competition is structured around three categories of projects: innovation in companies, technological innovation, and research work. In the latter category, Mohamed Eddouks, vice-dean of the Errachidia faculty, received the first prize for his research project on the use of medicinal plants in the treatment of diabetes, obesity, and hypertension. The second prize was awarded to Ismail Saadoune from Cadi Ayyad University for his project on clean energies in mineral resources, tied with Abdelkrim Ben Alloum from Chouaib Doukkali Faculty for his transparent gel detergents in the form of nanoemulsion.
In the "innovation in business" category, Promindus, part of the Laprophan group, was awarded the first prize for developing a pharmaceutical composition intended for oral administration of highly gastro-labile active ingredients.
The second prize went to the Center for Studies and Research on Mineral Phosphates (Cerphos). This center has implemented an online analysis and control system for monitoring the concentration of sulfate ions. The third prize was awarded to the confectionery Laâyoune for the development of Gomma candy. This product is made from a combination of gelled candy and aerated candy, using an innovative formulation. The company also invented a machine for producing Gomma.
Finally, in the "technological innovation" category, the first prize was awarded to inventor Ahmed Zouggar, who developed a liquid-detecting white cane for the visually impaired. The third prize, in the absence of a second, was awarded jointly to the team of technicians led by Ali Jakamy for their Engine Framework range and to Azedine Habachi from Ista under OFPPT in Settat for his educational material for learning power electronics.
The jury also awarded a special prize to designer Hicham Lahlou for his work on design in Morocco. Additionally, an encouragement prize for students was given, with Imad Boulajoul and Saâd Cherkaoui from Ensam-Meknès winning first prize for the invention and design of a multifunctional solar-powered self-driving lawn mower, a gardening tool that operates on solar energy thanks to photovoltaic cells and rechargeable batteries. The second prize went to the duo Jabrane Aouinti and Mohamed Belbachir from the National School of Architecture in Rabat for their multifunctional stool. The 5th Innovation Competition evaluated 81 submissions by 12 experts, with 20 projects selected, of which thirteen were awarded. The winners received a trophy, an encouragement prize (ranging from 2,500 to 100,000 DH), along with a beautiful diploma.
For those wishing to participate in the 6th edition, registrations will open next October. It should also be noted that the projects from Promindus and Cerphos have been chosen to represent Morocco in Geneva next October at the Sustainable Development Symposium organized by the Moroccan-Swiss Development Association.
Saad Souleymane BOUHMADI
L’Economiste, 24/07/2008