During this month, the Executive Education STH, in collaboration with the Materials Science and Nano-Engineering (MSN) Department, welcomed industrial executives from the SONASID Group for the second module of the Executive Training Program in Metallurgy and Industrial Management, titled “From Steel Science to Industrial Strategy”, at the University’s Campus in Benguerir.
The session was coordinated by Prof. Johan Jacquemin, Dr. Youssef Samih, and Prof. Brahim Boubeker, focused on Steel Research and Development as part of a coherent approach linking the mastery of metallurgical fundamentals (Block 1) to the strategic and managerial understanding of industrial challenges (upcoming Block 3).
Over the past five weeks, participants explored key themes in Steel Research and Development, including metallurgical simulation tools (ThermoCalc, ABAQUS), steelmaking processes and heat treatments, microstructural characterization (electron microscopy, EBSD), and advanced surface engineering technologies applied to steel durability.
The training was further enhanced by a series of thematic seminars led by experts in the field: Prof. Sébastien Allain discussed the relationship between processes, microstructures, and mechanical properties; Dr. Outhmane Siar examined steel performance from forming to welding; Dr. Chih-Kang Huang explored Metallurgy 4.0 and Artificial Intelligence applied to materials; Prof. Mohammed Makha addressed surface protection against corrosion and wear; and Prof. Thierry Grosdidier presented advances in severe plastic deformation and gradient microstructures.
The second module demonstrated the synergy between executive training and applied research, contributing to the upskilling of professionals and supporting the sustainable transformation of Morocco’s metallurgical sector.