CASABLANCA, Morocco, June 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

- National Launch Event to be held at the CNRST in Rabat on the 30th of June 2011

Thomson Reuters, the world's leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals, will host a welcome event Thursday, June 30, to celebrate its new partnership with Institut Marocain de l'information Scientifique et Technique (IMIST).  The three-year contract will bring Thomson Reuters Web of Knowledge(SM)- an integrated and versatile discovery search platform - to scientists and researchers at 14 IMIST public institutions.

Thomson Reuters Web of Knowledge delivers access to the world's leading scholarly information in the sciences, social sciences, arts and humanities, while providing metrics and analytical tools for assessing research influence and impact.

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.

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, on the 30th of June 2011.

Event Agenda:

• Welcome - Secretary General-Ministry for Higher Education and Research
• Partnership announcement from Mr. Belcadi, director of the Centre National de la Recherche Scientigique et Technologique
• Official thank you from Thomson Reuters and overview of strategy for Morocco and surrounding region
• Brief presentation of SSR and Web of Knowledge, followed by an introduction to the road show
• National and international comparisons - Morocco in Web of Knowledge and Web of Science
• Networking buffet and cocktails

Thomson Reuters Attendees:

Ahmed Bourghida - Account Manager, Scientific Scholarly Research, EMEA

Erik Jan Van Kleef - Vice President of Sales EMEA, Scientific Scholarly Research

Guillaume Rivalle - Manager, Strategic Business Development, Scientific Scholarly Research

Ministry Attendees:

Secretary General of Higher Education and Scientific Research- Mr Abdelhafid Debbarh

Director of the CNRST- Pr Said Belcadi

Director of the IMIST- Pr Mohammed Essadaoui

Academic Attendees (the entire Academic Consortium-14 Universities):

The University Presidents

The Deans of Research of the Science Faculties

The Vice Presidents of Development and International Partnerships

The Heads of each Research Unit

About IMIST

IMIST is a key organization within the Moroccan Ministry for Higher Education. It reports to the National Center for Scientific and Technical Research (CNRST) in its capacity as operator of Research.

Their main objectives are:

• 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.

About Thomson Reuters

Thomson Reuters is the world's leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals.  We combine industry expertise with innovative technology to deliver critical information to leading decision makers in the financial, legal, tax and accounting, scientific, healthcare and media markets, powered by the world's most trusted news organization. With headquarters in New York and major operations in London and Eagan, Minnesota, Thomson Reuters employs more than 50,000 people in 93 countries. For more information, go to thomsonreuters.com.

SOURCE Thomson Reuters