Jennifer Bachus, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy, chaired a conference at Casablanca’s Dar America cultural center during her December 6-8 official visit to Morocco, in an effort to boost U.S.-Morocco collaboration in the field of cybersecurity. The seminar was hosted by the U.S. Consulate General in Casablanca on Thursday.
Around 60 students from the Faculties of Sciences Ben M’sik and Ain Chock joined the conference, which covered subjects ranging from cyber diplomacy to the developing cyberspace world and its global labor market implications.
“My engagement with the students was one of the highlights of my visit because it demonstrated that Morocco has the human capital necessary to navigate and lead in the digital world,” said Bachus.
Bachus also highlighted the “remarkable evolution” achieved by the Kingdom in digital transition, artificial intelligence (AI), and cybersecurity. “My visit has been instrumental in understanding how Morocco is implementing its digital transformation with a focus on cybersecurity.”
During her discussions, Bachus highlighted the importance of collaborative projects such as the Cisco Networking Academy and Dell’s ICT Innovation Hub in supporting Morocco’s digital development ambitions.
Expressing admiration for Morocco’s impressive progress in digital transformation, Bachus affirmed the United States’ commitment to being a key partner in consolidating Morocco’s position as a regional tech leader. “Morocco is making great strides in digital transformation and the United States is eager to support the Kingdom in its vision to become a regional leader in the tech space,” she stated.
This sentiment was echoed in her meetings with Moroccan stakeholders, where she underscored the U.S. government’s dedication to advancing global cyber stability and to supporting trusted telecommunications infrastructure, including 5G.
She emphasized the necessity of international collaboration to address pressing cybersecurity challenges and digital policy.
Dr. Sanaa El Filali, a computer science professor at Ben M’sik Faculty of Sciences, lauded the event for strengthening academic relations and fostering international contacts in the field of digital transformation. “This conference highlights the successful collaboration between our establishment and the U.S. mission. This initiative strengthens academic links and promotes international exchanges in the field of digital transition.”