Latest news with #AUI
Morocco World
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
AUI's Fun Run Turns Ifrane into a Hub of Solidarity and Youth Engagement
Rabat – On the bright Saturday morning of April 19th, Ifrane welcomed hundreds of runners, families, and volunteers for the 24th edition of the Fun Run, an event that has become much more than a race. It stood as a celebration of shared purpose and community spirit, and this year, it also marked the 30th anniversary of Al Akhawayn University (AUI). Organized by Hand in Hand, AUI's humanitarian student club, the event brought together a cross-section of Moroccan society. Locals joined students, professors, alumni, and visitors from across the country. The races , open to all and free of charge, offered three distances, 3 km, 5 km, and 10 km, to encourage participation from every age group. But the day did not end at the finish line. Families gathered afterward for a children's fair, a community gala, and a charity raffle, all designed to carry the spirit of the race into the evening. What made the occasion stand out was not only the turnout but also the way the town itself mobilized. Local authorities, police, and health services stepped in to ensure every aspect of the event unfolded smoothly. The opening ceremony brought together figures who helped shape AUI's journey. Driss Misbah, Governor of the Ifrane province, stood alongside Amine Bensaid, AUI's current president, and two of his predecessors, Driss Ouaouicha and Rachid Belmakhtar. Moroccan sports legends Hicham El Guerrouj and Abdelkader El Mouaziz lent their presence to the event, while rising athlete Hicham Amghar drew loud cheers as he stepped up to the starting line. The Fun Run served as a medium for Hand in Hand to channel funds toward concrete community projects. This year, the student-led initiative raised funds to renovate two schools in the Ifrane-Azrou region, create a community garden, restore a local mosque, and build a well in Tidili, near Marrakech, where water access remains a pressing issue. 'We want to do more than raise awareness. We want to change something,' said Hiba Amcharet, president of Hand in Hand and a computer science student at AUI. Over the past three decades, AUI has been at the forefront of Ifrane's growth. The university draws students from across the country and the globe. Its civic engagement, student projects, and research activities drive the local economy and promote ideas of collective development. Each year of the Fun Run is another page to this living book. It draws people not only to run, but also to want to imagine a Morocco in which students lead and communities respond. Tags: auiAUI Fun RunFun RunMorocco runMorocco sports
Gulf News
17-04-2025
- Business
- Gulf News
AUS and Al Akhawayn forge academic alliance to promote Arabic scholarship and ethical AI
Rabbat: The American University of Sharjah (AUS) and Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane (AUI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote Arabic and Islamic studies, digital humanities, language pedagogy, and the ethical development of emerging technologies. The agreement was formalised on April 16 at the Central Bank of Morocco, in the presence of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President of AUS, and Abdellatif Jouahri, Governor of Bank Al Maghrib and Chairman of AUI's Board of Trustees. 'This MoU with Al Akhawayn reflects the deep-rooted ties between the Emirate of Sharjah, the UAE, and the Kingdom of Morocco, and highlights our shared commitment to advancing higher education and preserving cultural identity,' said Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi. 'Through this partnership, we look forward to enriching academic exchange and strengthening collaboration between our institutions and our nations.' Abdellatif Jouahri said that the MoU as a symbol of enduring relations between the two nations: 'This agreement seeks to empower our universities to collaborate on scientific research and academic initiatives across multiple fields of shared interest.' Wide-ranging academic engagement The collaboration paves the way for wide-ranging academic engagement, including faculty and student exchanges, joint research projects, and co-developed academic programs. At its core, the partnership will explore the intersections of Arabic and English language pedagogy, the advancement of critical academic literacies, and the future of Arabic studies in a technology-driven era. Dr Tod Laursen, Chancellor of AUS, described the alliance as a model for global higher education: 'Together with Al Akhawayn University, we are expanding opportunities for collaborative research, reimagining Arabic studies, and contributing to the ethical evolution of artificial intelligence. This partnership is rooted in culture, guided by purpose, and focused on global impact.' Joint centre A major goal of the initiative is to establish a joint centre for pedagogy and digital humanities — a hub for research in Arab and Muslim literatures, cultural communication, and interdisciplinary innovation. The partnership will also foster scholarship in translation studies, Arabic liberal arts education, and the development of inclusive digital tools. Dr Amine Bensaid, President of AUI, welcomed the partnership as an opportunity to integrate heritage and innovation: 'We are delighted to launch this collaboration with AUS. It continues our founding vision — one that is rooted in cultural identity and enriched through cross-cultural exchange. We aim to prepare graduates who bridge technology and cultural understanding.' Open-source Arabic dataset Beyond humanities and social sciences, the agreement also includes collaboration in science, engineering, business, architecture, design, and archival research. One ambitious element of the partnership is the creation of an open-source Arabic data set — including literary works, media content, and academic publications from both countries — to support culturally inclusive AI development. The MoU also outlines shared efforts in student mobility, faculty development, joint supervision of graduate students, and the co-hosting of academic events such as seminars and technical workshops. Both institutions are exploring the creation of a collaborative fund to support ongoing joint initiatives aligned with their academic missions. This agreement is part of AUS's broader global strategy to build partnerships with leading institutions worldwide — strengthening interdisciplinary research, global engagement, and innovation to tackle regional and global challenges.
Morocco World
17-04-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
AUI, AUS Sign Partnership to Boost Research in Arabic Language, Ethical AI
Rabat – Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane (AUI) and the American University of Sharjah (AUS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation in digital humanities, Arabic and Islamic studies, and ethical artificial intelligence. The agreement aims to promote collaboration in research, teaching, and technology development, particularly in areas that connect Arabic and English language education, Islamic studies, and modern technologies like artificial intelligence. The goal is to empower both Moroccan and Emirati students and citizens to engage with AI tools while staying rooted in their cultural identity, according to a press release. The signing ceremony took place on Wednesday at the headquarters of Bank Al-Maghrib in Rabat. It was attended by Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of AUS's Board of Trustees, Abdellatif Jouahri, Chancellor of AUI , Amine Bensaid, President of AUI, and Tod Laursen, Chancellor of AUS. Speaking at the event, Bensaid said that the partnership 'reflects AUI's founding vision of balancing cultural identity with openness to advanced technologies.' He added that through this agreement, AUI and AUS aim to 'promote scientific research, rethink Arabic studies in the age of AI, and create tools that strengthen cultural identity and serve the youth.' The signing of the partnership Meanwhile, Laursen said that this partnership 'fully supports' AUS's vision of a 'borderless higher education system built on intellectual cooperation.' 'Together with AUI, we are expanding opportunities for collaborative research and contributing ethically to AI development,' he added. The collaboration also focuses on the educational link between the Arabic and English languages to help students improve academic and critical thinking skills. In addition, it supports the development of liberal arts education in both institutions. One major goal of the partnership is to create a joint center for digital humanities and pedagogy, which will use AI to support research in Arabic and Muslim literature, cultural studies, and communication systems. The signing of the partnership Beyond languages and humanities, the MoU also opens the door for cooperation in science, engineering, management, architecture, arts, design, and archival research. It includes plans to build an open-source Arabic database of literary works, media content, and academic publications that reflect the cultural and linguistic richness of Morocco and the UAE. The agreement also includes faculty and staff exchanges, student mobility programs, shared teaching resources, co-developed courses, and joint research projects. It also supports co-supervision of master's and doctoral theses, joint conferences and workshops, and the creation of a fund for academic initiatives. The statement concluded that the partnership fits into the global strategies of both universities, which aim to build knowledge ecosystems, foster innovation, and respond to major regional and international challenges through interdisciplinary research.
Morocco World
11-04-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Al Akhawayn University Launches ‘Ventures Adventure' to Boost Student Entrepreneurship
Rabat – Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane (AUI) has launched a new edition of its Entrepreneurship Month, called Ventures Adventure, which is running from April 7 to 26. Through Ventures Adventure, AUI aims to help students discover their talents, build confidence, and learn how to turn ideas into action, said the university in a press release. This year, the event is bigger and more inclusive. It is inviting students and teachers from three other Moroccan universities, including Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University in Fez, Moulay Ismaïl University in Meknes, and Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) in Ben Guerir. According to Nicolas Klotz, AUI's Executive Director of Entrepreneurship, opening Ventures Adventure to other universities marks an important step forward. 'It's a valuable opportunity to pool knowledge, energy, and ambition,' he stated. The event includes a startup competition with three rounds, open both online and in-person. Out of 100 startup ideas, 55 will move to the second round, and 20 finalists will compete in the final stage. Winners will receive prizes to help them launch and grow their projects. The statement noted that participants will receive support at every step from experienced coaches and mentors. In the first stage, five coaches are set to guide teams through quick idea development. In the next phase, 30 mentors from public and private organizations, including Attijariwafa Bank, the Digital Development Agency, and the Founder Institute, will help improve the projects. In the final round, 12 investors and business angels will review the best projects and choose the winners. The competition will end with the Angel Awards Ceremony on April 26, where top teams will receive investment, startup support, and personal mentoring opportunities. 'It's not just about creating startups, but about shaping a mindset,' said Amine Bensaid, AUI president. 'We want our students to feel empowered to explore multiple avenues, to take initiative, and to maintain this entrepreneurial energy regardless of the path they choose. That's what makes the AUI difference.' This year's edition includes other activities like fun workshops inspired by Babson College in the US to teach entrepreneurship in new ways, workshops for teachers to learn how to use games in their classrooms, and a practical session to build e-commerce websites using AI, without needing to code, among others. Students and teachers will also visit the International Agriculture Show (SIAM) in Meknes to meet experts in agritech, agribusiness, and social entrepreneurship, especially around water management. Tags: auientrepreneurship
Ya Biladi
06-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Ya Biladi
Al Akhawayn University honors Izza Génini, Moroccan documentary pioneer
A heartfelt tribute was paid on Saturday in Ifrane to Moroccan filmmaker Izza Génini, a pioneer of documentary cinema in Morocco, during the seventh edition of the Al Akhawayn Short Film Festival. The honor celebrates an extraordinary career devoted to showcasing Morocco's cultural richness through a cinematic body of work that has preserved the country's heritage, people, regions, and foundational narratives. The event, organized by Al Akhawayn University (AUI), also featured the national premiere of Ms. Génini's latest documentary, Meqbouline: The Guests of Toumliline, which explores the history of the Benedictine monastery of Toumliline, active from 1952 to 1968 in Azrou. Speaking to MAP, Génini expressed her deep emotion and gratitude for the tribute, describing the moment as 'almost magical' as she presented her latest film in a premiere screening. The filmmaker emphasized the symbolic resonance of the screening taking place in Ifrane—close to Toumliline—and at a university whose name, she noted, «perfectly fits the film». She explained that the documentary revisits a unique chapter in Moroccan history, centered on a monastery that served as a space for exchange, reflection, and dialogue across cultures, religions, and generations. «Toumliline was an absolutely extraordinary experience», she said, «ahead of its time in what we now call interfaith dialogue and coexistence», highlighting the natural and spontaneous spirit of this spiritual and human cohabitation. With this tribute, Al Akhawayn University and the festival organizers honored not only a remarkable filmmaker, but also a guardian of collective memory—committed to preserving and passing on the values of openness, diversity, and shared heritage.
