Latest news with #MohammedVUniversity
Morocco World
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Regional Seminar in Rabat Sparks Dialogue on Future of Education Abroad
Educators, program providers, and university faculty gathered at Mohammed V University on Saturday for a one-day Regional Seminar focused on reshaping the landscape of education abroad in Morocco. Held under the theme 'Education Abroad as a Bridge to the Future: Innovations in Partnership and Pedagogy', the seminar offered a platform for collaborative conversations on expanding access to international education through applied, experiential learning and inclusive program design. The day began with a welcome session, followed by presentations and discussions on topics such as emerging pedagogies, access and inclusion, and the future of partnerships. Participants examined the need to strengthen institutional support, including the establishment of international offices with trained staff at major Moroccan universities. Speakers offered recommendations on promoting visibility through digital outreach, showcasing student success stories and faculty collaborations, and engaging alumni as ambassadors of Moroccan higher education. Dr. Yamina El Kirat El Allame, former director of the Moroccan Institute for Advanced Studies and a professor at Mohammed V University, addressed critical issues around inclusive education abroad in both her presentation and an in-depth interview with Morocco World News (MWN). She pointed out that financial barriers remain a major obstacle to Moroccan student mobility, with grants like Erasmus+ often insufficient to cover total costs. 'Financial limitations are a major hindrance to outbound mobility,' El Allame told MWN'Even grants like Erasmus+ fall short, requiring families to shoulder additional burdens.' She also noted that 'language remains a persistent barrier,' pointing to limited English and French proficiency among Moroccan students. Regarding inbound mobility, the professor reflected: 'International students may be well-funded, but they face hurdles—especially the lack of English-language courses and student housing.' She added that these issues 'diminish Morocco's appeal,' particularly in fields like the social sciences where Arabic dominates instruction. Dr. Oussama El Abdouli, Director of the IES Abroad Center in Morocco, presented a historical overview of Morocco's role in international education, noting its cultural richness, affordability, and expanding STEM and innovation sectors. When talking to MWN, he stated: 'The responsibility to create inclusive learning environments extends beyond just classroom content — it must be woven into field experiences, faculty training, and staffing diversity.' 'We must design programs that reflect the concerns of today's youth — inequality, poverty, climate change,' he said. 'Study abroad should not be a privilege, but a catalyst for developing global citizens.' He also stressed, 'Morocco has a real opportunity to lead immersive, action-oriented models of international education, especially in partnership with the US.' Dr. Amelia Dietrich, Senior Director of Research and Publications at the Forum on Education Abroad, led a group activity inviting attendees to discuss Morocco's strengths, opportunities, and challenges in international education. Reflecting on the seminar in her interview with MWN, she explained, 'Addressing the challenges in education abroad requires more than top-down solutions. We need collective brainstorming where diverse practitioners define problems and co-create responses.' 'This seminar isn't an endpoint,' she said. 'It's the beginning of a longer conversation on building inclusive, impactful, and resilient education abroad programs.' She also noted the importance of ongoing collaboration through the Forum's global network: 'We want to continue supporting Moroccan institutions through professional development and shared learning.' Another one of the key sessions featured perspectives on student experiences and challenges. It was moderated by Dr. Brian Seilstad, Director of Internationalization and Partnerships at Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane. Speakers included Fatima Zahra Et-Talby, Student Affairs Director at JES Abroad Morocco; Ibtihal Ben Said, US Exchange Programs alumna (University of Alabama and Al Akhawayn University); and Anthony 'AJ' Wiles, a student with JES Abroad Morocco from Case Western Reserve University. Together, they reflected on the evolving needs and expectations of students engaged in international education. The event concluded with a collective call to move beyond transactional models and commit to building inclusive, globally engaged educational frameworks. Participants were encouraged to embrace shared responsibility, deepen international partnerships, and advance more equitable opportunities for students in Morocco and abroad. Tags: Educationeducation abroadEducation in MoroccoMohammed VI University
Morocco World
17-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Rabat Hosts Regional Seminar on Education Abroad
Rabat – Rabat's Mohammed V University is partnering with The Forum on Education Abroad to host today a dynamic Regional Seminar bringing together educators, program providers, and government representatives to discuss the future of education abroad in Morocco. Under the theme 'Education Abroad as a Bridge to the Future: Innovations in Partnership and Pedagogy,' the event aims to have participants engage in collaborative discussions and presentations focused on expanding access, inclusivity, and experiential learning in the academic sphere. The official website emphasizes the seminar's commitment to addressing shared global challenges in immersive programs between Morocco and the US as well as other international communities. In a statement, Mohammed V University presented the seminar as being hands-on and collaborative, stressing that its aim is to give participants the chance to use 'applied, experimental pedagogy in inclusive program designs.' The seminar comes at a pivotal moment for international education in Morocco. As of the latest available data on UNESCO, approximately 5.1% of Moroccan students – over 68,000 individuals – are currently studying abroad. France remains the top destination: around 45,126 Moroccan students were enrolled in French higher education institutions in the 2022-2023 academic year, making Moroccans the largest foreign student community in France. According to French government figures, Moroccans represent about 11% of all international students in the European country. However, Morocco faces a significant challenge with the emigration of its skilled professionals. In fact, nearly 3,700 Moroccan doctors and engineers leave the country each year . Among them are 700 doctors and between 2,000 and 3,000 engineers, as well as almost 30,000 workers in tourism fields, seeking better opportunities abroad. This trend has raised concerns about the impact on Morocco's healthcare, engineering and tourism sectors. The one-day seminar highlights new approaches to building international partnerships and designing more impactful study abroad programs, said Mohammed V University's statement. The university hopes for attendees to exchange ideas on how education abroad can foster deeper cultural connections and global understanding. The event opens its doors this morning at 9 a.m., and will continue until 6:00 pm, with more sessions and networking opportunities planned ahead. Tags: AI in educationStudying Abroad in Morocco
Morocco World
28-03-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Who is Rahma Bourqia, New Head of Morocco's Higher Council for Education?
Rabat – King Mohammed VI today appointed Rahma Bourqia as the President of the Higher Council for Education, Training, and Scientific Research. Born in 1949 in Khemisset, Bourqia is a well-known Moroccan academic and sociologist. She holds a doctorate in sociology from the University of Manchester in the UK and is a professor at Mohammed V University in Rabat. She previously made history as the first woman to serve as the president of a Moroccan university, leading Hassan II University in Mohammedia. She was also the first woman to become a member of the Academy of the Kingdom of Morocco. Bourqia has held several important positions in education and research. She was the director of the National Evaluation Authority at the Higher Education Council and a member of the National Committee for Program Accreditation and Evaluation at the Ministry of Higher Education. She also served on the advisory committee for the revision of the Moroccan family code, known as the Moudawana. As a researcher, Bourqia has contributed significantly to the study of Moroccan society. She has published many articles and books in Arabic, French, and English about Morocco's history and culture, such as 'The State, Power and Society' and other feminist essays. She has also worked as a visiting professor and lecturer at universities in the United States, Europe, and the Arab world. Bourqia was also recognized with an honorary degree honoris causa from Indiana State university in the USA in 2006, from Liege University in Belgium and from Université Paris Ouest Nanterre in France in 2010. In addition to her academic work, Bourqia is an advisor to several international organizations and has coordinated research programs in Morocco and abroad. Her appointment as head of the Higher Council for Education reflects her long-standing contributions to Moroccan education and research. Tags: appointmentEducationKing Mohammed VI
Morocco World
18-02-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
UN Human Rights Advisory Committee: Who is Morocco's Nadia Amal Bernoussi?
Rabat – Morocco continues to consolidate its presence on the global human rights map, with the North African kingdom consistently securing leading positions within international human rights organizations. The latest highlight of the country's strengthened standing in the global human rights conversation was yesterday's election of Nadia Amal Bernoussi as president of the UN Human Rights Council's Advisory Committee at its 33rd session in Geneva. Consisting of 18 independent exports, the council focuses on studies and human rights recommendations. Its experts come from different professional backgrounds. Amal Bernoussi's portfolio documents her activism and sustained interest in different sectors, including human rights. Her expertise is attributed to her involvement in different roles as well as her extensive educational background. Amal Bernoussi's education portfolio includes a BA and Master's in Political Science from the Faculty of Legal, Economic, and Social Sciences at the Mohammed V University. She also holds a PhD in Public Law from the Faculty of Legal, Economic, and Social Sciences Rabat Agdal from Mohammed V University. Amal Bernoussi also served as a professor of Constitutional Law and Political institutions at the National School of Administration of Rabat, the Moroccan Academy of Diplomatic Studies, and the Facility of Legal, Economic, and Social Sciences Rabat Agdal. She also served as a President of the Commission for the Development of the Law on the Creation of the Consultative Council on Youth and Associative Action, as well as a founding member of the Gender and Governance Network and President of the Moroccan Network on Gender and Governance. As part of her portfolio related to human rights, Amal Bernoussi also worked as a president of the UNESCO Jury on Tolerance and Non-Violence between 2016 and 2018. Beyond her involvement in organizations and serving in high-level institutions, Amal Bernoussi also contributed to several publications, writing studies, articles, and consulting reports on different files, including elections, constitutional justice, and gender equality. Morocco's human rights activism Morocco has been active in strengthening its position and commitment to promoting human rights, and guaranteeing civil liberties as stipulated in the country's constitution. Such initiatives have increasingly helped Morocco earn further recognition within the international community. Several countries have in recent years commended Morocco's efforts toward improving and respecting human rights. Of Morocco's election to the presidency of the council in 2023, a source from the government told Morocco World News last year that Rabat's commitment to the Council's agenda is 'part of a collaborative approach that promotes universal values, earning Morocco a leading role within HRC.' Morocco's efforts on the global stage over the past two decades are the fruit of its 'constant activism, dynamism' and sense of responsibility as a founding member of the HRC, the source added. Morocco won the presidency of the Council after receiving overwhelming support with 30 votes out of 47, surpassing South Africa's 17 votes. It marked the first time Morocco assumed the presidency of the UN body, showing the country's commitment to reforms. As part of its commitment, Morocco is also a party to 9 out of 10 major conventions related to human rights. Tags: human rightsMorocco
Morocco World
14-02-2025
- Science
- Morocco World
Morocco Contributes to Groundbreaking Neutrino Discovery
Rabat – Moroccan scientists played a key role in a groundbreaking astrophysical feat, as the worldwide telescope KM3NeT detected a neutrino – an elementary particle – at an unprecedented level. This feat, published in Nature, turns over a new leaf in high-energy astrophysics. KM3NeT is a massive underwater observatory deep in the Mediterranean that operates through global cooperation, and Morocco is an active participant. Professor Yahya Tayalati, the Moroccan national coordinator of the KM3NeT project, describes this discovery to Nature magazine as a milestone that illuminates new facets of research into extreme cosmic phenomena. A professor at Mohammed V University in Rabat and an affiliated professor at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Benguerir (UM6P), Tayalati clarifies that KM3NeT consists of a network of deep-sea detectors that have been deployed 3,000 meters below the ocean surface. The prime objective is to study neutrinos by capturing light that is generated as a consequence of their interaction with seawater. The scientific community of Morocco is at the center of this 21-member collaboration, in which scientists from Rabat universities, Oujda, Marrakech, and Benguerir, as well as the National Center for Energy, Science, and Nuclear Techniques (CNESTEN), are involved. KM3NeT spotted the neutrino, designated KM3-230213A, on February 13, 2023. With an energy of 220 PeV, ten thousand times more than the world's most powerful particle collider can produce, the detection promises new avenues for learning about the universe's most violent phenomena, from supernovae to supermassive black holes. Since joining the project in 2016, Morocco has established two key construction sites for KM3NeT, the only ones outside Europe. One, at the Rabat Faculty of Sciences, is focused on constructing optical modules that detect light trails left by neutrinos. The other, at the Oujda Faculty of Sciences, accommodates electronic parts to transmit data from these modules. Tayalati considers Moroccan involvement as science involvement with more purpose. 'This project strengthens our expertise and allows young researchers to work on cutting-edge technology,' he says. He adds that this project is not only vital to Morocco's technological progress, but also creates new opportunities for industries and researchers alike. The discovery's recent publication in Nature magazine only solidifies its significance. 'We are proud to contribute to a breakthrough that will shape the future of particle astrophysics,' Tayalati announces. Abdelilha Moussa, coordinator of the KM3NeT project at Mohammed I University in Oujda, deems this milestone proof that Moroccan scientists can lead important scientific missions. He urges the need for long-term support to ensure that Morocco continues to play a role in groundbreaking discoveries and to provide young scientists with the tools to excel on the global stage.
