On June 11, the 7th International Conference on Advanced Materials for Photonics, Sensing and Energy Applications (AMPSECA 2026) was held in Marrakesh, Morocco. Focusing on cutting-edge fields such as green hydrogen energy, renewable energy, and space sensing technologies, the conference brought together more than 130 experts and scholars from ten countries, establishing a high-level international academic exchange platform across regions and disciplines. A delegation from Xi’an University of Technology was invited to attend the conference and achieved important cooperation outcomes on site: Chouaib Doukkali University of Morocco officially joined the International Alliance for Eco-Hydraulics and New Energy, and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University signed an agreement to join the China–Morocco Joint Laboratory for Green Energy and Advanced Materials. These joint efforts mark a new stage in China–Morocco research cooperation in the field of green energy.
The conference was initiated and organized by a Moroccan university and co-hosted by Xi’an University of Technology. It closely aligned with Morocco’s national development strategy for energy transition and scientific and technological innovation. With abundant solar and wind energy resources, Morocco is actively developing its renewable energy industry to respond to changes in the global energy landscape and climate challenges. The conference also served as an important platform for the country to build an international research cooperation hub in North Africa and connect with global academic resources. In-depth discussions were held on topics including green hydrogen development, renewable energy utilization, applications of advanced materials in agriculture and medicine, space sensing technologies, and optoelectronic functional materials, creating favorable conditions for researchers from different countries to share achievements, exchange ideas, and explore cooperation.
Chouaib Doukkali University has long worked with XUT and relevant power enterprises to jointly build the Green Energy Joint Laboratory and smart microgrid testing cabins, continuously advancing the development of the China–Morocco laboratory and newly establishing a hydrogen energy testing cabin. In the future, the two sides will rely on the Alliance platform to deepen joint research in green energy and sensing technologies, strengthen joint talent cultivation and technology transfer. The signing by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University to join the China–Morocco Joint Laboratory for Green Energy and Advanced Materials will bring new academic strength and technical support to the laboratory’s research innovation system, drawing on its disciplinary advantages in materials science and new energy. It will also leverage the innovation vitality of the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area to promote the implementation and commercialization of relevant research outcomes.
As the initiator of the International Alliance for Eco-Hydraulics and New Energy, Xi’an University of Technology has actively responded to the Belt and Road Initiative and the national energy transition strategy by drawing on its strengths in water conservancy, energy, materials, and related technologies. The University has continuously promoted collaboration among Chinese and foreign universities, research institutions, and industry enterprises. Since its establishment, the Alliance has brought together more than 30 universities and research institutions at home and abroad. Focusing on the two core fields of eco-hydraulics and new energy, it is committed to building an open and mutually beneficial international cooperation ecosystem through joint research, talent cultivation, and technology transfer. The participation of the two universities further enriches the Alliance’s disciplinary structure and geographical coverage, strengthening research collaboration between Asia and North Africa in ecology and energy.
During the conference, faculty members and students from Xi’an University of Technology actively participated in various academic exchange activities. They engaged in in-depth discussions with experts from different countries on the development trends of advanced materials, renewable energy, space sensing, and other frontier technologies, and shared XUT’s research achievements in smart microgrids, green energy storage, energy system operation and maintenance, and related fields.
Rooted in cooperation with North Africa and committed to global innovation, this visit to Morocco represents a vivid practice of XUT’s continued efforts to advance internationalized education and deepen the integration of Chinese and foreign science and education. Moving forward, the University will continue to rely on mature platforms such as the International Alliance for Eco-Hydraulics and New Energy and the China–Morocco Joint Laboratory for Green Energy and Advanced Materials to expand the breadth and depth of international cooperation. It will further deepen exchanges and collaboration with countries along the Belt and Road and with universities worldwide, contributing XUT’s wisdom and strength to global energy transition, ecological and environmental protection, and the long-term development of China–Africa and China–Arab friendship.
Written by: Wang Shuo
Reviewed by: Yang Yuan, Zhang Jiawei