17-05-2025
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
