Kingdom of Morocco

Hassan II Academy of Sciences and Technology

Dahir (Royal Decree encating Law n° 1-93-364 issued on Rabii H 19th 1414 H (October 6th 1993), instituting the Hassan II Academy of Sciences and Technology and Dahir 11° 1-00~205 of Safai' 15th, 1421 (May 19th, 2000) modifying and updating the previous Dahir.

Dahir (Royal Decree) enacting Law NO 1-93-364 issued on Rabii II 19th 1414 H (October 69' 1993), instituting the Hassan II Academy of Sciences and Technology

Praise be to God

(The Great Seal of His Majesty King Hassan II)

Let it be known hereby, under the present (decree) may it be enhanced and corroborated, That Our Sherifian Majesty,

• Pursuant to the Constitution, mainly Article 101 thereof;
• After due consideration of the subject at the Cabinet meeting of Rabii II 18m 1414 (October 5ll‘ 1993);
• Given the fact that science is becoming increasingly instrumental in (bringing about) the spiritual as well as the material advancement of mankind;
• Considering that mastering science and technology is a key supplement to back up territorial integrity, with the help of God and in ful fillment of the oath We have taken to this effect before Our revered father, His Majesty King Mohammed V- blessed be his soul;
• Considering that creativity and innovation in science and technology have a significant impact on social and economic development in modern nations;
• Considering that Morocco’s wealth actually lies in its human resources vvhose development is the outcome of the considerable efforts that have been made since independence to provide Our loyal subjects with adequate education and scientific training;
• Considering the need for the university and, more broadly, for scientific and technical research centers, to be in keeping more and more with the nation’s economic and social environment;
• Given the fact that communication and interaction play a key role in upgrading, expanding and disseminating scientific knowledge and technical know-how;
• Considering that Arab-Islamic culture encourages the pursuit of scientific knowledge as much as it values the quest for virtue;
• Considering that Morocco, thanks to its geographical location, is naturally inclined to be a meeting place for all gifted people who are willing to share scientific and technical knowledge, which is regarded as universal heritage;
• Considering that it is necessary for scientific research policies to be reshaped and attuned to human needs, and for their technical applications to be kept within overriding ethical boundaries;
• Considering that creative intellectual pursuits and their manifestations must be acknowledged and upheld by state institutions;
• Aware of the fact that Our loyal subjects, together with all peoples who look forward to using profitably and peacefully the material and intellectual yields derived form science, may greatly benefit from a high institution which seeks to uphold and support the above principles;
• Looking forward to this institution being established under Our patronage and protection, and given the name of “Hassan ll Academy of Science and Technology”;
• Given Our desire for the Academy's membership to be made up of men and women whose talent, enlightenment and wisdom have earned them a prominent standing within the international scientific community;
• Wishing to see them aggregate into a learned society with equal status for all members who shall be elected freely for no other consideration but that of their personal merit, and subject to no condition but that of securing Our own consent;
• Wishing that they be held in the highest esteem and that they enjoy a prominent standing within the State,
• Wishing that they retain throughout the rest of their life the ability to make the fruit of their knowledge and wisdom available to Us at Our request, as well as to Our successors and to Our people;
• Looking forward to seeing them team up, on a parity basis, with their peers who boast different scientific backgrounds, belong to various segments of the international scientific community, and have made a contribution to the advancement of civilization that has earned them the highest repute;
• Given Our desire for these associate members to enjoy the same prerogatives and privileges as those granted to their peers;
• Given Our desire to ensure that the Academy is looked at and turned to as a reference in all scientific and technological matters and in related ethical issues;
• Wishing to ensure that the ultimate goal of the Academy’s work is to foster moral serenity in society and to achieve the material prosperity of the nation as well as its intellectual advancement;
• Looking forward to see this Academy as an appropriate place for pondering on how to provide mankind with enlightenment and guidance in its effort to usher in a new era, help it cope with the dramatic changes underway, and facilitate the accomplishment of God’s designs upon it;
• Praying God that the Hassan H Academy of Science and Technology, being established, may, forever, live up to Our expectations.

Our Majesty has resolved the following :

CHAPTER ONE

Purpose, Membership and Constitution

Article One:

An Academy, called “Hassan II Academy of Science and Technology" and referred to hereinafter as “The Academy” shall be established under Our Majesty’s protection and patronage.

As a financially independent legal entity, the Academy shall be governed by the provisions of the present Dahir and implemented in accordance with the relevant by-laws.

Article 2:

The Academy shall seek to achieve the objectives set forth in the preamble, mainly the following:

· With respect to the promotion and development of scientific and technical research :

• Ensure that scientific and technical research ranks high among the values upheld by the nation;
• Make recommendations to the relevant circles about the ways and means to kindle the scientific spirit within Moroccan society;
• Provide local scientists and researchers with a special forum for debate and interaction;
• Foster high-level communication channels between national scientists and the international scientific elite;
• Work for the dissemination of science by organizing panels and scientific events, publishing relevant material, and opening science libraries;
• Review and evaluate scientific findings and innovations submitted for its consideration;
• Ensure that the scientific and technical research applications are in keeping with moral and ethical prescriptions.

· With respect to national and technical research policy :

• To help develop general, basic guidelines for the development of science and technology;
• To put forward recommendations about priorities and how to achieve the nation’s targets in terms of research;
• To help develop a policy in support of human resources with scientific training. The aim is to attract high-profile scientists and, more importantly, promote an adequate intellectual and material environment so as to provide gifted Moroccan researchers, who are sought or employed by foreign research laboratories and centers, with an efficient incentive to stay in their country;
• To monitor continuously the progress made in the field of technology for the benefit of the nation.

· With respect to assessing and funding scientific and technical research programs :

• To carry out studies, analyses and surveys in connection with research activities;
• To encourage implementation of research programs which have been set in light of the nation’s priorities, determine their relevance and scientific value, and, when necessary, allocate appropriate financial resources;
• To monitor and assess the implementation of research programs sponsored by the Academy, and to take all relevant steps to enhance the resources of existing and projected research laboratories and other facilities.

· With respect to the integration of scienttific and technical research activities in the social and economic environment at the national and international levels :

• To make recommendations to the relevant circles on cooperation practices in the field of scientific and technical research, with a view to participating in regional or international research programs; and to advise on the monitoring of activities carried out by national research institutions involved in these programs;
• To help establish mechanisms for consultation, on a Permanent basis, between the research and technical innovation community and its social and economic counterpart.

Article 3:

The Academy shall have its headquarters in the Capital of the Kingdom; it may, however, convene in any other city of the Kingdom, subject to a decision by its patron, the Monarch. It may exceptionally convene abroad, with the approval of the Monarch.

Article 4:

The Academy shall have a membership of eighty, including forty nationals of the Kingdom, referred to as resident members. The other forty shall be foreign nationals with associate member status.

The Academy shall have an additional membership of 40, holding corresponding member status. They shall be prominent figures selected from the science and business communities.

Corresponding members may be Moroccan or foreign nationals. They shall participate in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the Rules of Procedure provided for under Article 38 of the present Dahir.

Resident, associate and corresponding members of the Academy shall sit in one of the scientific colleges provided for under Article I2 hereinafter.

In addition to the resident, associate and corresponding members, the Academy may resort to experts from the national and international scientific community.

CHAPTER II

THE ACADEMY’S GOVERNING BODIES

Article 5:

The Academy’s governing bodies shall be:

• The Permanent Secretary;
• The Chancellor;
• The Director of Sessions;
• The Council of the Academy;
• The Work session Committee (?);
• The Scientific Colleges.

Besides the aforementioned governing bodies, the Academy shall comprise the following:

• The scientific Directorate
• The program Directorate
• The Administration and Finance Directorate.

Article 6:

The Permanent Secretary shall be appointed by His Majesty the King.

Should he consider that he can no longer carry out his duties, the Permanent Secretary may tender his resignation. The latter shall become effective only with His Majesty’s consent.

Article 7:

The Permanent Secretary shall act on behalf of the Academy. He shall carry out and authorize all academy-related acts and deeds, and shall represent the Academy before the State, the public and private agencies, or any other third parties. He shall perform any act of preservation and represent the Academy in court, shall ensure the management of all departments and appoint his staff except for the general accountant.

He shall be the Academy’s paymaster. He shall ensure the minutes of sessions are prepared and kept on record.

He may delegate some of his prerogatives to the Chancellor.

The Permanent Secretary shall be provided with a salary in addition to an academic allowance.

Article 8:

The Chancellor shall be appointed by His Majesty the King.

The Chancellor shall assist the Permanent Secretary in discharging his mission, mainly in what concerns contacts with the associate and corresponding members, and shall act as his deputy in case of absence or impediment.

Apart from his academic allowance, the Chancellor shall be provided with a salary.

Article 9:

The Director of Sessions shall be elected, for one year, among the resident members in accordance with the procedure provided for under Article 22. He shall not be eligible for consecutive terms.

Article 10:

The Council of the Academy shall be made up of the Permanent Secretary, acting as chair, and of the Chancellor and three College Directors who shall be elected for one year renewable only once, by a general assembly made up of the Directors of the Academy’s Scientific Colleges.

The Council of the Academy shall assist the Permanent Secretary in discharging his mission and take such measures as deemed necessary for the furtherance of the mission of the Academy.

It shall prepare the Academy’s budget and its annual accounts.

It shall prepare the personnel statutes and submit them to Our Majesty for approval.

It shall meet at least once every three months.

Article 11:

The Steering Committee shall be made of the Permanent Secretary, acting as chair, and of the Chancellor, the Session Director and four members of the Academy, who shall be elected for two years.

lt shall coordinate the work of the Academy`s members and colleges, select topics to be addressed, call for papers and secure through the Academy’s relevant bodies the dissemination of the Academy`s proceedings.

Article 12:

The Academy shall include the following colleges :

• the college of mathematical sciences;
• the college of physics, chemistry and energy;
• the college of biology and health;
• the college of agronomy, veterinary and nutritional sciences;
• the college of new technologies in the field of information, telecommunication, and space;
• the college of water and environmental sciences;
• the college of civil engineering, town planning and transport;
• the college of advanced strategic studies;
• the college of economics, demography and population studies;
• the college for enhanced innovation, and technological development.

The number and names of the colleges may be modified by a decision of the Permanent Secretary and after due notification of the Council of the Academy.

Article13:

Each college shall be made up of a maximum of twelve (12) Academy members from among the resident, associate and corresponding members.

Each college shall be managed by a director, who shall be elected by his peers for one renewable year, and who shall coordinate and chair college sessions and activities.

Article 14:

The colleges shall have a mandate to assess the relevance and quality of research projects, submitted to them by the Academy. They shall give their opinion on the scientific merit of the projects and determine to what extent they are congruent with the eountry’s priorities.

Article 15:

The Scientific Colleges and the Steering Committee shall operate in accordance with the terms set forth in the Rules of Procedure mentioned in Article 38 hereunder.

CHAPTER III

ACADEMICIANS

Article 16:

A member shall be raised to the dignity of Academician as a life tenure which can be terminated only by death or, exceptionally, in case of resignation or revocation.

Only associate members may hand in their resignation, in case of permanent impediment. The Academy may then decide on the said resignation by a vote. Should the resignation be accepted, the Academy may confer upon the resigning member the title of Honorary Academician, before providing for his replacement.

Article 17:

Since its prestige and reputation depend essentially on the renown and value of its members, the Academy must pay the greatest attention to the election of its new members. Its choice must be based on no other consideration but the respect for the spirit in which its Founder created the Academy, and of the objectives assigned to it.

Article 18:

A seat shall be declared vacant forty days after the death of its incumbent. ln case of an accepted resignation, the vacancy shall be immediately announced. The vacancy of a member stripped of his title by the Academy shall also be announced immediately.