Missouri S&T symposium in Morocco focuses on sustainable energy for Africa 

Posted by
On July 3, 2025

Decorative image.

Adobe stock image.

Energy experts and researchers from around the world gathered in Marrakech, Morocco, this spring for Missouri S&T’s 4th International Laufer Energy Symposium to discuss the future of sustainable energy and the challenges facing Africa and the globe. 
 
“Stable and affordable energy is not just a technical challenge but a human challenge that affects billions of lives,” says Dr. Joseph Smith, a professor in Missouri S&T’s Linda and Bipin Doshi Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering and president of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. “We have the technology and expertise to make a difference, but we need to work together to put these solutions in place. That’s why this type of symposium, which brings together researchers, industry leaders and policymakers from around the world, is so important.” 
 
Smith, who was S&T’s inaugural Wayne and Gayle Laufer Endowed Energy Chair, was the first plenary speaker for the symposium, which was held at the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University. Dr. Muhammed Lameen Abdul-Malik, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005 for his work with the International Atomic Energy Agency, also delivered a plenary address. 
 
This year’s symposium continued the tradition of addressing major energy issues but shifted to a more specific focus on sustainable energy in Africa and the challenges and opportunities present in the region. 
 
Participants spent three days discussing a range of topics, including renewable energy, hydrogen, electrification, decarbonization, and nuclear and hybrid energy systems.  
 
Dr. Joseph Newkirk, professor and chair of nuclear engineering and radiation science at S&T, delivered a keynote talk on integrated energy systems for the future. Dr. Shoaib Usman, an associate professor in the same department, spoke about the status of small modular and advanced reactors. Other keynote speakers represented institutions from Morocco, Kuwait, Spain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. 
 
“We saw outstanding collaboration and a real exchange of new ideas at this year’s symposium,” Newkirk says. “There’s a real sense of momentum and shared purpose, and I am excited for the role nuclear energy will play with this.” 
 
The 10-person organizing committee for the symposium included experts from institutions in the U.S., Morocco and Canada. Smith served on the committee, as did Dr. Muthanna Al-Dahhan, S&T’s current Laufer Endowed Energy Chair. 
 
For more information about the symposium, visit lauferenergy.mst.edu

About Missouri S&T

Missouri University of Science and Technology is a STEM-focused research university of over 7,000 students located in Rolla, Missouri. Part of the four-campus University of Missouri System, Missouri S&T offers over 100 degrees in 40 areas of study and is among the nation’s top public universities for salary impact, according to The Wall Street Journal. For more information about Missouri S&T, visit www.mst.edu

Share this page

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

 

preload imagepreload image