Al Akhawayn University

Wikipedia

Al Akhawayn University
جامعة الأخوين
TypeTuition-based public university
EstablishedJanuary 16, 1995; 30 years ago (1995-01-16)[1]
ChancellorAbdellatif Jouahri
PresidentAmine Bensaid[2]
Students3,500 (2024–2025)
Location,
Morocco

33°32′21″N 5°06′20″W / 33.539248°N 5.105553°W / 33.539248; -5.105553
CampusSuburban
Colors    Green and white
AffiliationsGlobal Liberal Arts Alliance
Websiteaui.ma

Al Akhawayn University (Arabic: جامعة الأخوين; Berber: Tasdawit En Wawmaten) is a public, independent, not-for-profit university located in Ifrane, Morocco. It was officially inaugurated on January 16, 1995, by King Hassan II, following its founding by royal decree in 1993.[3]

Situated in the Middle Atlas Mountains, approximately 70 km from the imperial city of Fez, Al Akhawayn University follows an American-style liberal arts curriculum, with English serving as the primary language of instruction.[4][5]

History

King Fahd of Saudi Arabia largely funded the creation of Al Akhawayn University from an endowment intended to cleanup an oil spill off the coast of Morocco.[6] The cleanup was never realized as the wind blew the oil spill away and the endowment was used to create the university.[7]

Al Akhawayn University was founded by Royal Decree (Dahir) in 1993 and officially inaugurated by the former King Hassan II of Morocco on January 16, 1995. The Arabic name al-akhawayn, literally the "two brothers," refers to the two respective kings.[7]

Academics

The Al Akhawayn campus (2010)

Al Akhawayn University enrolls over 3,000 full-time students on its residential campus in Ifrane. The university offers undergraduate and graduate programs through three main schools: the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, the School of Science and Engineering, and the School of Business Administration.[8]

All programs are structured around a common core curriculum inspired by the American liberal arts tradition. The university also maintains international partnerships and provides opportunities for exchange programs.[8]

Notable alumni

Among the institution’s alumni are:

Academic centers and institutes

The university hosts several academic centers and institutes, including:

See also

References

  1. "Al Akhawayn University". Times Higher Education World University Rankings. Archived from the original on 2018-05-02. Retrieved 2021-09-21.
  2. "Qui est Amine Bensaid, le nouveau président de l'AUI ?". Maroc Diplomatique. 12 November 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  3. "Al Akhawayn University Ranks 1st in Morocco, 44th in Arab World". Morocco World News. 2018-03-03. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
  4. "Creating new partnerships: ISU group visits Moroccan universities - News - Illinois State". Illinois State University. 2023-07-03. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
  5. "The future of liberal arts may belong to the Global South". THE Campus Learn, Share, Connect. 2025-07-04. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
  6. "Moroccan Encounter:Letters from a Foreign Land". www.jsu.edu. 2005-07-20. Retrieved 2017-12-26.
  7. 1 2 "Al Akhawayn University Celebrates its 18th anniversary". Morocco World News. 2013-01-22. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
  8. 1 2 "Al Akhawayn University". Council of Independent Colleges. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
  9. 1 2 "HATIM AZNAGUE : PORTE-ÉTENDARD DE LA CAUSE ENVIRONNEMENTALE ET AMBASSADEUR DU MAROC POUR LE CLIMAT". Le Monde Infos. January 25, 2024.
  10. Ouassat, Mehdi. "Youssef Ksiyer : La comédie est un métier où l'on doit être exigeant avec soi-même". Libération (in French). Retrieved 2023-07-26.
  11. "M. Benouarrek rejoint le groupe Promamec - La Vie éco". La Vie Eco (in French). 2011-06-08. Retrieved 2023-07-26.
  12. "Communiqué : Reda Dalil succède à Aïcha Akalay en tant que directeur de la publication de TelQuel". Telquel.ma (in French). Retrieved 2023-07-26.
  13. "L'anthropologue marocain M.Boum, nommé à l'Université de Californie". Le Matin (in French). November 16, 2021. Retrieved 2023-07-26.
  14. "Procter & Gamble: Samir Lebbar, nouveau PDG pour l'Afrique du Nord | MapNews". www.mapnews.ma. Retrieved 2023-07-26.