Rachid Lghoul

Rachid Lghoul is an Engineering Lecturer at the School of Science and Engineering at Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane, Morocco. He earned an M.S. in Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy from Mohammadia School of Engineers in Rabat in 2011 and a Maîtrise in Electrical Engineering from My Ismael Technical School in Errachidia, Morocco.

His expertise spans embedded systems, digital signal processing, FPGAs, microprocessor-based control, automation, rapid prototyping, digital fabrication, and smart technologies. He has also worked as a part-time Embedded Systems Engineer on projects in the telecommunications and aeronautics industries.

His research focuses on sustainable energy systems and digital transformation, particularly smart grids and microgrids, power electronics, distributed energy resources, energy storage systems, control, energy management and optimization, renewable energy, green hydrogen, digital twins, XR, and smart manufacturing. He has been involved in research and innovation projects supported by and conducted in collaboration with international organizations and networks, including GIZ, DAAD, USAID, and AFRETEC.

His teaching interests encompass engineering foundations, design, modeling, prototyping and fabrication, and computer-aided engineering, with a strong emphasis on innovative, hands-on, project-based, and experiential approaches to STEAM education and the use of emerging technologies to develop future-ready engineering skills.

At Al Akhawayn University, he serves as capstone and Internship Coordinator, Project Lead for XR Integration in Africa within the AFRETEC Network, Smart Manufacturing and Industry 4.0 Lead at the Ifrane Summer School, Founder and Manager of the Fab Lab, and Faculty Advisor to the Industry Club. Through these roles, he supports university–industry collaboration, student professional development, innovation, and experiential learning.