Thomson Reuters, IMIST to celebrate partnership

The three-year contract will bring Thomson Reuters Web of Knowledge, an integrated discovery search platform, to scientists and researchers at 14 IMIST public institutions. It provides access to scholarly information in the sciences, social sciences, arts and humanities, while providing metrics and analytical tools for assessing research influence and impact.

Creating a network of science and technology information

Keith MacGregor, executive vice president at Thomson Reuters, said: "In years past, Morocco ranked among the top five African nations producing research papers in 11 of 21 fields of study, including clinical medicine, engineering, chemistry, mathematics and physics. Now, with this partnership, Moroccan researchers can continue to expand their collaborations internally and across national borders."

IMIST, a research institute dedicated to creating a network of science and technology information for the scientific community, holds an investment budget of 150 million dirhams and reports to the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique et Technologique (CNRST) as operator of research.

Through the Web of Knowledge, IMIST will provide Moroccan scientists and decision-makers with quick and efficient access to scientific and technical information.

Increasing research excellence in Morocco

Professor Said Belcadi, director of the CNRST commented: "We look forward to our partnership with Thomson Reuters and are pleased to offer Morocco's universities access to the world class research information within Web of Knowledge. The agreement provides us with continuity for the next three years and underlines our commitment to increasing research excellence in Morocco and to playing a greater role in leading research and innovation in a global market."

The IMIST's other goals for the research environment include streamlining resources of national scientific and technical information, and contributing to strengthening and upgrading the national economy to better cope with international competition.

The National Launch of the Web of Knowledge Partnership with CNRST and Thomson Reuters event will take place at the CNRST.

Main objectives:

• To enable Moroccan scientists in the world of business and different decision-makers a quick and efficient access to scientific and technical information (STI).
  
• To promote the development of the national STI and adapt to user needs.
  
• To support the dynamics of technological innovation in all economic sectors.
  
• To streamline the means and resources of national STI.
  
• To contribute to the strengthening and upgrading of the national economy with a view to better cope with international competitiveness.