MastersMaster’s Program in Fertilizer Science and Technology
Master’s Program in Fertilizer Science and Technology
Accredited by the Ministry of National Education, Vocational Training, Higher Education and Scientific Research.
School / Department : School of Agriculture, Fertilizers and Environmental Sciences (ESAFE) / AgBS
Duration : 2 years
Mode of Instruction : Full Time Master’s
Language(s) : English
Degree required upon admission : BAC+3
Degree granted upon completion : BAC+5
Training venue : Mohammed VI Polytechnic University – Benguerir
Program Start Date : September 2020
Objectives
The goal of this Master’s program in Fertilizer Science and Technology is to prepare graduates possessing broad knowledge of fertilizer and soil fertility to become specialists and experts working on the next generation of fertilizers and management of the fertilizer industry. The program is designed to provide the most comprehensive training possible in this field.
It is important to underline that Morocco does not train specialists in this field and even on the international level such type of training is becoming rarer. In the US, universities haven’t had any official fertilizer and soil fertility program since the 1980s. Currently, it is very difficult to find a university with more than one professor doing research in this field. Rightly as well, several specialists in the field of fertilizer science and technology at the global level will be gradually retiring within the next 5 years.
This program provides sustained training for students, senior managers and leaders in the fields of fertilizers and soil fertility, with a strong highlight on the environmental dimension.
Target Skills
At the end of the training, students will be able to:
Develop new fertilizer products; Reduce costs while increasing the quality of fertilizers;
Evaluate and correct soil fertility to maximize crop productivity;
Develop diagnostic and communication tools to rationalize and promote fertilizers;
Act on the entire value chain of the phosphate fertilizer industry;
Evaluate the physical and chemical characteristics / quality of fertilizers;
Develop standards of interpretation of soil and plant analyses;
Set up laboratories for analysis related to soil fertility and fertilizers;
Design and manage environmental studies projects;
Design, monitor and evaluate research in the areas of fertilizer and soil fertility management;
Produce soil fertility maps using GIS and practice precision farming;
Conduct technical-economic evaluations of projects;
Manage projects related to fertilizers and soil fertility;
Identify and implement actions related to sustainable development (social equity, environment and economic efficiency);
Work in a team, in a multicultural and multidisciplinary context;
Create and manage small and medium sized enterprises (Entrepreneurship).
Beyond these technical skills, students will also acquire transversal skills in "soft skills" (communication, teamwork and English) and "business skills" (innovation, entrepreneurship, project management, ...) allowing them to interact effectively in their future work environments.
Faculty Director
Pr. Aziz YASRI
Pr. Abdelaziz YASRI holds a PhD in BioTechnology from Montpellier II University in France and an MBA from Montpellier Business School. He is currently a professor at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Morocco and coordinator/ director of School of Agriculture (ESAFE).
Dr. A. Yasri has more than 25 years of experience in academia, start-ups and biotechnology. He has worked in biotechnology companies in France, Belgium and in the United States where he held several positions as Scientific Director. He has published more than 25 scientific articles in international journals and nine international patents in the field of biotechnology. He works in the ‘AgroBioSciences’ program and conducts research on the valorization of biomass for the development of biostimulants, biofertilizers and biopesticides at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Morocco.
Partner Institutions and Laboratories
Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II, MOROCCO
African Plant Nutrition Institute, MOROCCO
International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), USA
University of Georgia, USA
Cadi Ayyad University, MOROCCO
Mohammed V University, MOROCCO
University of Minnesota, USA
McGill University, CANADA
University of North Calorina, USA
National Institute of Agronomic Research, MOROCCO
International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), LEBANON
MaBioVa, Erasmus+, MOROCCO
Training Content
The program of this Master’s program is structured around 4 semesters. Semesters 1, 2 and 3 are academic semesters and semester 4 corresponds to a full-time internship (end-of-study project) in a company or a research laboratory.
Teaching Staff
Pr. Abdelaziz YASRI
Professor - Statistics and Biomass Valorisation
Pr. Faouzi BEKKAOUIProfessor - Agronomy and Biotechnology
Pr. Mohamed EL GHAROUSProfessor - Soil Science and Plant Nutrition
Pr. Khalil El MEJAHEDProfessor - Agronomy and Fertilization
Pr. Rob MIKKELSONProfessor - Soil science
Pedagogy and Teaching Methods: ‘Learning by Doing’ Approach
In a unique approach, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University implements an innovative teaching and research model, focused on experimentation (learning by doing). The University's sites are equipped with "Living Labs", dedicated to applied research. These laboratories are real-scale work and training platforms (mining facilities, experimental farms, factories, towns, etc.) open to the scientific community as well as students.
As part of the Master’s FST, students will have access to:
The experimental farm
Khouribga mining site
Chemical site of Jorf Lasfar
Finally, pedagogical dynamics encourage active participation of students, creativity and group work; they also encourage learning autonomy.
Admission Criteria
This Master’s program is open to students who have a bachelor’s or engineer’s degree in science with high level of English proficiency, or equivalent.
Admission Process
We invite you to sign up online via the link www.admission.um6p.ma by completing the requested information or by contacting us at: [email protected] .
If you are shortlisted, you will be invited to a written competitive examination followed by an oral interview in keeping with the following schedule:
30th of June : Application deadline
July-August : Written examination and oral interview
End of July-August : Admission results and receipt of scholarship application files
September/Early October : Start of term.
Given the current health situation, the dates and admission process may change. We will keep you informed.
Tuition Fees and Scholarships
The tuition fees are:
Registration fees (year 1): 5,000 MAD
Annual tuition fees: 75,000 MAD
Added to this are accommodation fees and catering on campus.
Scholarships can be awarded to the brightest students via an attractive scholarship scheme based on meritocracy and social criteria. This scholarships benefit a large number of our students. We invite you to contact us for more information.
Further Studies, Business Creation or Professional Integration
This degree opens great opportunities for students in both the academic and corporate sectors.
The graduates of this master will have several career options in several areas such as:
Process engineering related to fertilizer manufacturing;
Innovation in the field of fertilizers;
Soil fertility management;
Fertilizer formulation and recommendation;
Phosphate and other fertilizers value chain;
Restoring fertility of degraded soils;
Nutrient management in the soil and nutrients deficiency diagnosis;
Logistics and communication in relation to the valorization, marketing and rationalization of fertilizers;
Environmental impact studies.
They may also pursue research work as part of a PhD or create their own startups.
Contacts
For any questions, we invite you to contact the persons in charge below:
Pr. Aziz YASRI ESAFE's Director
