Latest news with #ChristopheLecourtier
Ya Biladi
18-05-2025
- Business
- Ya Biladi
Morocco inaugurates first Global Alumni House, strengthening French-Moroccan academic ties
The inauguration of the Alumni House in Morocco marks a global first, coinciding with the official launch of the third edition of the World Alumni Days, organized by Campus France Maroc across Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech, Fès, and Tangier. In the context of renewed diplomatic momentum between Rabat and Paris, this initiative symbolizes a timely and multifaceted strengthening of academic and university ties. At the inauguration held on Friday, May 16 in Casablanca, the French ambassador to Morocco, Christophe Lecourtier, told Yabiladi that the primary goal of the initiative is to give visibility to the enduring human bonds between the two countries through a space designed to become a genuine intergenerational hub. «Moroccan alumni of French higher education form the largest foreign academic community linked to France, with over 45,000 students currently enrolled», he said. «If we include all who have attended French universities since independence, we're talking about hundreds of thousands». The Alumni House is now intended to unify the efforts of numerous existing associations, particularly to support those interested in studying in France. For Lecourtier, «It's a kind of matrix for Franco-Moroccan relations in higher education—one with the potential to grow and multiply». Amine Dabchy, president of Sciences Po Alumni Morocco, described the House as «an open, dynamic, future-focused community that brings together multiple generations in a space of rich diversity». He noted that the presence of prominent figures at the event served as both «a tribute to this community and a call to forge more connections to continue inspiring future generations». Dabchy also praised the vital role played by Moroccan alumni associations from top French institutions, across fields such as civil engineering, business, management, law, science, and economics. Promoting Academic Mobility Between Morocco and France In his speech, Lecourtier also emphasized the importance of ensuring that academic mobility flows both ways between France and Morocco. «I think this House should act like an airport, a launchpad for young people and alumni to continue flying to France—whether for work, study, or personal reasons—to maintain that connection», he said. «It should feel natural for people who've followed this path to move between the two countries without excessive barriers», he added. He recalled that last year's second edition of Alumni Day was an opportunity to announce «a simplified visa process for alumni». «Anyone who has studied in France, or on French campuses in Morocco, can now easily obtain a short-stay circulation visa. The bond they have with France, sustained here in this House, should allow them to come and go as easily as members of the same family». Christophe Lecourtier, French ambassador to Morocco Gérald Brun, head of higher education, research, and student mobility at the French Institute of Morocco and attaché for scientific and university cooperation at the French Embassy, told Yabiladi that while Moroccan nationals make up the largest community of international students in France, the goal is to encourage reciprocal mobility. «We also want to make Morocco an attractive destination for French students, who can complete part of their studies here, especially through double degrees, joint programs, or relocated courses offered by French institutions in Morocco», Brun explained. «This is a policy strongly supported by the diplomatic mission». Fostering Human Development Through Research and Training This collaborative academic framework also includes research-oriented university training between the two countries. According to Brun, this area of cooperation has gained momentum. «Joint work on doctoral training is particularly important for Morocco, as many current professors and researchers are approaching retirement. A new generation must be trained», he said. «And this is equally crucial for France, where interest in pursuing doctorates has declined». He noted that the French research system heavily relies on international doctoral candidates—and Morocco currently ranks fourth among countries sending doctoral students to France, following China, Lebanon, and Italy. In his speech, Ambassador Lecourtier also cited King Mohammed VI's focus on human development as a key pillar of Franco-Moroccan cooperation. He highlighted the pivotal role that Moroccan alumni of French institutions play in this vision. «Framework agreements may pave the way for major projects, but what matters most are the people—those who not only have the skills but also the desire to ensure that these projects become reality and don't remain empty promises. Both President Macron and His Majesty the King understand that the strength of the bilateral relationship lies in those individuals», said Lecourtier. For him, «alumni are at the heart of it all because they have a blended experience. They've lived here and there, they return, they leave again—and that's the future. They are the ideal bridge for building a shared tomorrow».
Morocco World
17-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
France Opens World's First House for Alumni of French Higher Education in Morocco
Rabat – Christophe Lecourtier, the French Ambassador to Morocco, inaugurated the world's first House for Alumni of French Higher Education on Friday. The launch event gathered over 300 Moroccan alumni who had pursued their higher education in France. According to a statement from the French Embassy in Morocco, the new center marks the official launch of the third edition of the Global Alumni Days in Morocco. The initiative aims to strengthen ties with Moroccan graduates from French institutions and enhance the role of alumni in promoting bilateral cooperation. The House for Alumni is part of a broader ambition to structure and energize the network of graduates from French higher education, added the statement. Developed in consultation with several alumni associations, such as Sciences Po Paris, HEC, ESSEC, ESCP, EMLyon, École des Ponts et Chaussées, and Audencia, the center will serve as a unified headquarters symbolizing the educational and cultural partnership between France and Morocco. The embassy says this initiative is the first of its kind globally, designed to be a hub for talent development, professional integration, intergenerational dialogue, and mentorship. The project also reflects France's commitment to promoting its higher education system abroad while fostering synergy between academic, economic, and cultural stakeholders. The inauguration ceremony The House, the statement adds, is also part of a broader, robust bilateral dynamic, reflected in the presence of 45,000 Moroccan students currently enrolled in French institutions, the largest group of foreign students in France. This educational connection receives support from the Mobility Visa Scheme, introduced in May 2024 during the previous Global Alumni Days. In just one year, more than 2,000 Moroccan alumni have benefited from the program that facilitates smoother professional and personal mobility between the two countries. The opening of the alumni center also marked the kickoff of this year's Global Alumni Days in Morocco, organized by Campus France Maroc, with events scheduled in Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech, Fez, and Tangier. This new initiative comes in the wake of a notable improvement in Morocco-France relations. Ties between the two countries have grown significantly stronger, especially following France's recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara. Since then, diplomatic and cultural exchanges have accelerated and paved the way for renewed cooperation across multiple sectors. Tags: alumniHigher EducationMorocco and France
Morocco World
29-04-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
TLScontact Expands Automated France Visa Appointment System Across Morocco
Doha – Following a successful pilot program in Rabat last autumn, TLScontact has expanded its automated visa appointment allocation system to centers in Fez, Oujda, Tangier, and Casablanca. The new system aims to combat fraudulent practices that have plagued visa applications for France. 'Instead of opening slots for online reservation, appointments are now automatically and randomly assigned to applicants registered on the site,' TLScontact stated in a press release. Confirmation of these appointments requires payment of service fees, without which the slot is reassigned to another applicant. The initiative targets first-time applicants, who are often most affected by fraudulent practices due to high demand for appointments. According to TLScontact, intermediaries have been using technological methods to capture appointment slots as soon as they become available and resell them at inflated prices. Despite implementing advanced cybersecurity solutions like reinforced CAPTCHA, traffic monitoring, and OTP authentication, TLScontact found that fraudsters continuously adapted their methods. This prompted the development of the new approach. The pilot program in Rabat showed immediate results, with bot activity dropping by 48% over four weeks. A decrease of 12% was visible from the first week of implementation. Nearly 15,000 appointments have been securely allocated in Rabat since the system was introduced. Following this success, TLScontact deployed the new system to its centers in Fez, Oujda, and Tangier in February, followed by Casablanca in March. The company is also implementing similar procedures with other government clients facing the same challenges. Read also: Will Brokers Exploit TLSContact's New Video Identity Verification System? The system is being progressively extended to other visa types, including renewals of standard visas and circulation visas. For renewal applications in Rabat, Fez, and Oujda, a special procedure has been established as of April. Under this new procedure, applicants will be placed in a queue and a limited number will be offered appointments within a maximum period of 60 days. Selected applicants will receive a pre-reservation email with instructions on how to confirm their appointment, including payment of service fees within the specified timeframe. Additionally, some applicants may be contacted for a video identity verification call, during which they will be asked to present their passport to the camera. If applicants do not receive an appointment within 60 days of registration, they must renew their application by submitting a new request through the platform. Expansion to Morocco's southern provinces In addition to combating fraud, TLScontact has expanded its services geographically. During the inauguration of a new 3,500 m² visa center in Casablanca, French Ambassador Christophe Lecourtier announced the extension of visa services to Laayoune in Morocco's southern provinces. 'In line with the position expressed by the President of the Republic during his official visit last October, visa application services have been expanded directly to Laayoune, in partnership with TLS,' the French Embassy in Morocco said. 'Residents of this region will now benefit from the same services,' they added. The new Casablanca center can handle between 800 and 1,200 visitors daily and includes upgraded facilities such as extended appointment hours, at-home document collection, and free access to a premium lounge for people with reduced mobility. 'Visa applicants have legitimate and growing expectations that we must meet to address the challenges of mobility between Morocco and France,' Lecourtier said during the inauguration. Tags: France visa applicationtls contactvisa appointments
Morocco World
21-04-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
France Named Guest of Honor at Morocco's SIAM 2025
Rabat – Morocco has named France as the guest of honor for the 17th edition of the International Agricultural Exhibition in Morocco (SIAM), running from April 21 to 27 in the city of Meknes. The French Pavilion, located in the International Hall, brings together nearly 50 exhibitors and is the result of a joint effort by Business France, the French Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, the French Embassy in Morocco, the regions of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Occitanie, and the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Morocco (CFCIM). In recent months, diplomatic relations between Morocco and France have witnessed a notable improvement, especially following France's formal recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara. Since then, bilateral ties have strengthened across multiple sectors, including agriculture, education, and innovation. Morocco has also been honored as a guest of honor at several major events in France. The 2025 edition of SIAM comes less than a year after the signing of an agricultural framework agreement between France and Morocco in 2024. The agreement focuses on key areas such as knowledge exchange in agricultural training, the development of animal and plant production chains, adaptation to climate change, and the deployment of innovative agricultural technologies. 'France, as the leading agricultural producer in the European Union with a market value close to €90 billion in 2024, plays a major role in shaping global agricultural standards,' said Christophe Lecourtier, French Ambassador to Morocco. 'We are proud to showcase our innovations and deepen our collaboration with Morocco, particularly through the French Pavilion at SIAM,' Lecourtier added. France is also the world's leading exporter of seeds and Europe's top producer of agricultural inputs, said Business France in a press release. More than 500 French companies operate in the agricultural equipment sector. France's pavilion at SIAM The French Pavilion covers 400 m² and hosts exhibitors representing the entire agri-food value chain, from animal genetics and sustainable irrigation solutions to organic farming and storage infrastructure, added the statement. 'Being the country of honor at SIAM this year reflects the depth of our agricultural partnership with Morocco,' said Thierry-Alain Truong, Head of the AGROTECH France Pavilion at Business France. The conference space within the French Pavilion will see various discussions covering topics such as agroecology, water resource management, climate resilience, livestock technologies, and France's support for Morocco's agricultural transition. Speakers include representatives from CIRAD, Morocco's Agricultural Development Agency, COMADER, MedZ, and regional officials from France. The CFCIM is organizing B2B meetings between French exhibitors and Moroccan stakeholders, aiming to accelerate commercial ties and launch tangible joint ventures. 'These tailor-made business meetings are designed to spark real partnerships and boost commercial exchanges between our two countries,' noted Claudia Gaudiau-Francisco, President of the CFCIM in a statement. Tags: agricultureMorocco and FranceSIAM
Morocco World
16-04-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
France Confirms Expanding Visa Services to Morocco's Southern Provinces
Rabat – France has confirmed the expansion of its visa services to Laayoune, the largest city in Morocco's southern provinces, in a move that many see as a significant political gesture of support for Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara. The announcement was made by French Ambassador Christophe Lecourtier during the official inauguration of a new TLS visa center in Casablanca today. For the first time, residents of Laayoune and the wider Sahara region will be able to apply for French visas directly from their city. This development is expected to make the visa process more accessible and less costly for applicants in the south. 'In line with the position expressed by the President of the Republic during his official visit last October, visa application services have been expanded directly to Laayoune, in partnership with TLS. Residents of this region will now benefit from the same services,' the French Embassy in Morocco said in a press release. The move comes as France doubles down on its support for Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara, reinforcing a position made clear in July 2023 when Macron expressed full backing for Morocco's Autonomy Plan as the most serious and credible solution to the conflict. A few days ago, the French government reiterated its position in favor of Morocco during Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita's visit to Paris. The newly built 3,500 m² visa center in Casablanca can handle between 800 and 1,200 visitors per day. It includes upgraded facilities such as extended appointment hours (including Saturdays and early mornings), at-home document collection, and free access to a premium lounge for people with reduced mobility, according to the embassy. The official inauguration of a new TLS visa center in Casablanca The French consulate general has also signed partnership agreements with major companies operating in Morocco, including Air France, CMA-CGM, Renault, and Saint-Gobain, to facilitate business travel. A special arrangement has also been made with the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Morocco (CFCIM). To prevent fraud and ensure fairness, a lottery system has been introduced for some appointment categories to stop illegal intermediaries who exploit visa applicants, added the statement. Commenting on the inauguration, Lecourtier said that the new facility 'warmly embodies the commitment that has always driven us, both at the embassy and at TLS, to improve the reception we offer to all those wishing to visit France, of whom there are many.' The ambassador added that 'Visa applicants have legitimate and growing expectations that we must meet to address the challenges of mobility between Morocco and France.' Tags: FranceMoroccoSaharaTLSVisa
