Latest news with #AmineBensaid
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
Morocco World
17-04-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Al Akhawayn University, Deloitte Morocco Sign Cybersecurity Cooperation
Rabat – Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane and the Deloitte Morocco Cyber Center signed this week a cooperation agreement to boost synergies between academia and the cybersecurity industry. The agreement is initially set for three years, but is renewable, a joint statement said, noting that the two parties signed the cooperation deal during this year's GITEX Africa, which took place from April 14-16 in Marrakech. Under the agreement, the center will allow exporters to contribute to the design and delivery of courses, mentorship, and knowledge sharing. The cooperation agreement aims to enhance Al Akhawayn University's cybersecurity specialization track as well as the Master's program. The university students and graduates will also benefit from access to internships and job opportunities within the Deloitte Cyber Center, while the two partners plan to create a joint certification to boost student employability. Both partners also aim to co-organize events such as cybersecurity days to boost ties between academia and industry players, while promoting shared cybersecurity. Amine Bensaid, president of Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane, expressed satisfaction with the new agreement, stressing his school's commitment to continue pursuing academic excellence and developing students. 'Cybersecurity, at the heart of digital transformation, is now a strategic issue for higher education,' he said, noting that the partnership with the Deloitte Morocco Cyber Center reflects Al Akhawayn's desire to strengthen its connection with the professional ecosystem. Managing partner for Cyber at Deloitte France and Francophone Africa, Imade ElBaraka, said it is imperative to have a strong pipeline of Moroccan and African talent. Elbaraka, who is also the General Director of Deloitte MCC, stressed that it's important to actively invest in skills development and mentoring young engineers. 'We are proud to bring this initiative to life alongside a leading institution like Al Akhawayn,' he concluded. Tags: Al Akhawayn UniversityGITEX 2025
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
