News & Events
Funded by the British Council’s Going Global Partnerships Researcher Challenges scheme.
© 2026 | All rights reserved
Funded by the British Council’s Going Global Partnerships Researcher Challenges scheme.
© 2026 | All rights reserved
The UK Closing and Handover Event (Apr 27-28) was hosted at Cardiff Metropolitan University as part of the British Council project Empowering Women’s Climate Change Resilience in Morocco Through Research and Technological Innovation, led by Dr Issam Damaj (Cardiff Met, UK) and Dr Loubna Mekouar (UM6P - University Mohammed VI Polytechnic, Morocco). The event also marked the transition into the new phase, Strengthening Climate Resilience in Morocco through Technology-Driven Research and Innovation in Smart Cities, Urban Edges, and Rural Areas, led by Dr Damaj and Dr Youssef Iraqi (UM6P). The event also welcomed Dr Mehmet Aydin (R&I Expert, UWE Bristol).
Across two days, the event marked the successful completion of the 2025 project and the transition into the next phase. The programme brought together partners from the UK and Morocco, with a strong focus on engagement with ECRs in the UK.
The day opened with a networking session, where visitors met with students and researchers from Cardiff School of Technologies (CST) and were welcomed by CST Dean, Prof Jon Platts.
This was followed by presentations on the 2025 project outcomes, providing UK ECRs with an overview of achievements and future directions.
A key highlight was the ECR Projects and Networking Session, where ECRs shared progress updates and outlined their next steps, creating a valuable space for discussion and alignment.
The afternoon session was delivered in a hybrid format, bringing together researchers from both Morocco and the UK. These sessions also included key project collaborators, Dr Chaminda Thushara Hewage (Associate Dean, Research), Dr Imtiaz Khan, Professor Elizabeth (Liz) Redmond, and Dr Fiona Carroll, who contributed to the introduction of the 2026 project (research streams and timelines).
The second day focused on internal planning, enabling project leads to formally close the 2025 activities and carry forward key outcomes into the new programme.
Acknowledgement is extended to Dr Catherine Tryfona (Associate Dean, Partnerships) for her support throughout the two days.
Thanks are also extended to all attendees and visitors for their engagement and contribution. Contributions from ECRs who attended in person included Dr Mary Corcoran, Dr Amrita Prasad, Dr John Macaulay, and Ms Rana Kebbi. Additional participation included Anas Knari, Ph.D., Dr. Songdi Li, Dr Abdelhak Bouayad, Ph.D., Dr Bouthayna El Amine, Ms Safa AMEZYEM, Ms Rachida EL MANSOUM, Mr Imonikhe Ayeni, MBCS, AphA, Ms Mwaka Namwila, and Mr Salah Eslim.
Appreciation is extended to Dr Mamoun Qasem (University of South Wales), and Ms Rumana Faruque, Dr Ginu Rajan, and Dr Shadan Khan Khattak for supporting the sessions.
These projects are funded under the British Council’s Going Global Partnerships, which supports universities, colleges, and wider education stakeholders worldwide to build stronger, more equitable, inclusive, and internationally connected systems in higher education, science, and TVET (British Council HE and TVET). ... See MoreSee Less
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On International Women’s Day, we would like to recognise and thank the remarkable women who have contributed to our project, Empowering Women’s Climate Change Resilience in Morocco Through Research and Technological Innovation.
This initiative has been shaped by the commitment, expertise, and leadership of women across the UK and Morocco — as project leads, mentors, researchers, and Early Career Researchers. Their contributions continue to strengthen collaboration, advance knowledge, and support meaningful impact in climate resilience and innovation.
I would especially like to acknowledge:
Dr. Loubna Mekouar
Prof. Loudyi Dalila
Dr Fiona Carroll
Prof. Rachida EL MORABET
Professor Elizabeth (Liz) Redmond
Dr Amrita Prasad
Dr. Songdi Li
Dr Mary Corcoran
Dr Nudrat Rasool
Dr Meryem MAATOUGUI
Safa AMEZYEM
ZGA Oumaima
Rachida EL MANSOUM
Fatima-Zahra CHBADI
Rana Kebbi
Alaa Houwayji
Dr Bouthayna El Amine
Thank you for your dedication and continued contribution to this collaborative work.
Today is an opportunity to celebrate your achievements and to reaffirm the importance of supporting women in research, innovation, and climate action.
#InternationalWomensDay #WomenInResearch #WomenInSTEM #ClimateResilience #UKMoroccoCollaboration ... See MoreSee Less
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Photos from Technology-Driven Climate Resilience Research and Innovation: UK and MA's post ... See MoreSee Less
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🏅 Recognising Outstanding Performance
We are proud to celebrate Anas Knari, Ph.D. and Rana Kebbi for receiving the Outstanding Performance Award as part of the British Council Researcher Challenge.
Both researchers demonstrated exceptional commitment, initiative, and leadership throughout the project, “Empowering Women’s Climate Change Resilience in Morocco Through Research and Technological Innovation: A Multidisciplinary Approach.”
Their contributions stood out for their collaborative spirit, innovative thinking, and high-quality research output, which made a real difference in the success of their teams and the wider project goals.
Congratulations, Anas and Rana, and thank you for your inspiring work!
We are delighted to share this update from our project: "Empowering Women's Climate Change Resilience in Morocco Through Research and Technological Innovation: A Multidisciplinary Approach," supported by funding from the British Council’s Going Global Partnerships programme.
Going Global Partnerships supports universities, colleges and wider education stakeholders around the world to work together towards stronger, equitable, inclusive, more internationally connected higher education, science, and TVET (British Council HE and TVET).
Project Leads: Dr Issam Damaj (Cardiff Metropolitan University, UK) and Dr. Loubna Mekouar (UM6P - Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Morocco).
Mentors: Professor Elizabeth (Liz) Redmond and Dr Fiona Carroll (Cardiff Met, UK), Prof Loudyi Dalila and Prof Rachida EL MORABET (University of Hassan II Casablanca, Morocco).
External Experts: Dr Mehmet Aydin and Dr Mazhar Malik (University of the West of England, Bristol)
Associate Partners: Environment Platform Wales (UK), Menter Môn Ltd (UK), Association Démocratique des Femmes du Maroc (Morocco), and Moroccan Coalition for Climate Justice (Morocco).
#BritishCouncil #GoingGlobalPartnerships #CeRISS #CardiffMet #UM6P #ClimateResilience #TechnologyForDevelopment #InternationalCollaboration
British Council Morocco ... See MoreSee Less
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Photos from Technology-Driven Climate Resilience Research and Innovation: UK and MA's post ... See MoreSee Less
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We’re pleased to share the official website for Empowering Women’s Climate Change Resilience in Morocco Through Research and Technological Innovation:
👉 www.climatemorocco.org
The website brings together our project vision, research challenges, teams, partners, and activities under the British Council’s Going Global Partnerships – Researcher Challenges programme. It reflects the collaborative work between UK and Moroccan partners, and highlights researchers’ leadership at the heart of climate resilience, innovation, and inclusive development.
We hope the site serves as a central space for sharing progress, insights, and outcomes as the project's impact continues to grow.
Many thanks to all collaborators, mentors, early career researchers, and partners involved in making this initiative possible.
Do take a look and feel free to share.
#ClimateResilience #WomenInResearch #InternationalCollaboration #UKMorocco #ResearchImpact #GenderEquality #ClimateAction ... See MoreSee Less
Home - WTCRM
www.climatemorocco.org
EMPOWERING WOMEN’S CLIMATE CHANGE RESILIENCE IN MOROCCO THROUGH RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION: [A MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH] A collaborativ...0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Sharing a few more moments from the British Council Climate Connections event in Marrakesh.
It was a pleasure to engage with colleagues and partners at an event that highlighted the strength of UK–Morocco collaboration in research and innovation. We were honoured by the participation of Mr Alex Pinfield OBE, His Majesty’s Ambassador to Morocco, and grateful for the continued leadership and support of the British Council in bringing this community together.
A well-curated event and an excellent setting for meaningful exchange. ... See MoreSee Less
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Photos from Dr. Issam W. Damaj's post ... See MoreSee Less
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Sharing a few more moments from the recent British Council Climate Connections event in Marrakesh. A great opportunity to connect with colleagues, engage in thoughtful discussions, and highlight the work of our Researcher Challenge teams.
Appreciate the continued collaboration and the enthusiasm shown by everyone involved.
Dr. Issam W. Damaj,
Dr Loubna Mekouar,
Dr Youssef Iraqi,
Anas Knari, Ph.D.,
Abdelhak Bouayad, Ph.D.,
ZGA Oumaima,
Dr Bouthayna El Amine,
Fatima-Zahra CHBADI
Safa AMEZYEM, and
Meryem MAATOUGUI. ... See MoreSee Less
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