Al Akhawayn University
American-style liberal arts university in Morocco
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Al Akhawayn University (Arabic: جامعة الأخوين; Berber: Tasdawit En Wawmaten) is a public, independent, not-for-profit, American-style liberal arts university located in Ifrane, Morocco. Founded by royal decree (Dahir) in 1993 and officially inaugurated on January 16, 1995, by King Hassan II, it is the only university in North Africa to offer a fully American-style liberal arts curriculum, with English as the primary language of instruction.[3][4]
جامعة الأخوين | |
| |
| Type | Tuition-based public university |
|---|---|
| Established | January 16, 1995[1] |
| Accreditation | New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) |
| Chancellor | Abdellatif Jouahri |
| President | Amine Bensaid[2] |
| Students | 3,500 (2024–2025) |
| Location | , Morocco 33.539248°N 5.105553°W |
| Campus | Suburban, residential, 72 hectares |
| Colors | Green and white |
| Affiliations | Global Liberal Arts Alliance, APSIA, EPUF |
| Website | aui.ma |
 | |
Situated on a 72-hectare residential campus in the Middle Atlas Mountains at an elevation of approximately 1,650 meters, the university is about 70 km from the imperial city of Fez. Al Akhawayn University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), making it one of the few institutions outside the United States to hold a US regional accreditation.[5]
History
Al Akhawayn University was created by the vision of King Hassan II, who sought to establish a world-class institution in Morocco modeled on the American higher education system. The university was founded by Royal Decree (Dahir) in 1993 and officially inaugurated by the King on January 16, 1995. The Arabic name al-akhawayn, meaning "the two brothers," symbolizes the fraternal ties between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, whose respective sovereigns supported the project.[6]
The founding vision was to create an institution that would develop Morocco's future leaders through critical thinking, multilingualism, and exposure to diverse perspectives — anchored in a liberal arts philosophy while remaining rooted in Moroccan and broader African identity.
Since its founding, Al Akhawayn University has grown from an initial intake of a few hundred students to over 3,500 enrolled students as of the 2024–2025 academic year, establishing itself as a leading institution in Morocco, Africa, and the broader Arab world.
Academics
Schools and programs
Al Akhawayn University offers undergraduate and graduate programs through three schools:[7]
- School of Business Administration (SBA) — Offers programs in business administration, finance, economics, and management. The SBA has produced graduates who hold leadership positions in major multinational corporations and Moroccan enterprises.
- School of Science and Engineering (SSE) — Offers programs in computer science, engineering, and the sciences, with a growing focus on artificial intelligence, data science, and renewable energy.
- School of Humanities and Social Sciences (SHSS) — Offers programs in international studies, communication, political science, and human development.
All programs are structured around a common core curriculum inspired by the American liberal arts tradition, requiring students to develop competencies across disciplines — including the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and quantitative reasoning — regardless of their major.[7]
Language of instruction
English is the primary language of instruction across all programs. Students also develop proficiency in French, Arabic, and often a third foreign language, graduating with a trilingual or quadrilingual profile that is highly sought after in the Moroccan and international job markets.
Accreditation and recognition
Al Akhawayn University holds accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), a US regional accreditor — a distinction shared by very few institutions outside the United States and unique in North Africa. The university is also recognized by the Moroccan Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation.
Campus
The university's 72-hectare campus in Ifrane is one of the most distinctive in Africa. Designed in an Amazigh-inspired architectural style, the campus features:
- A fully residential environment with student dormitories, faculty housing, and on-campus dining
- The Mohammed VI Library, housing over 100,000 volumes and providing access to major international academic databases
- Modern science and engineering laboratories
- A conference center used for national and international events
- Sports facilities including a swimming pool, tennis courts, a football pitch, and a gymnasium
- Green spaces and gardens set against the backdrop of the Middle Atlas cedar forests
Ifrane, often referred to as "Morocco's Little Switzerland" due to its Alpine climate, provides a unique study environment distinct from Morocco's major urban centers.
Student life
Al Akhawayn University has a vibrant student life culture, with over 60 student clubs and organizations spanning academic, cultural, artistic, athletic, and community service interests. The university's residential model — inspired by American campus life — fosters a strong sense of community among students from across Morocco and more than 40 countries.
Key features of student life include:
- Model United Nations (MUN) — Al Akhawayn University hosts one of the most prominent MUN conferences in North Africa and sends delegations to international MUN events.
- Community service — Students participate in outreach programs serving surrounding communities in the Middle Atlas region, including the Azrou Center for Local Community Development.
- Sports — The university competes in intercollegiate sports and hosts annual athletic events.
- Cultural programming — Regular events celebrate Moroccan, African, and international cultures.
International partnerships and exchange
Al Akhawayn University maintains partnerships with over 80 universities worldwide, facilitating student and faculty exchange programs. The university is a member of:
- The Global Liberal Arts Alliance
- The Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs (APSIA)
- The EPUF network
These affiliations enable Al Akhawayn University students to spend semesters abroad at partner institutions in the United States, Europe, Asia, and Africa, and allow international students to study at Al Akhawayn University — contributing to the diversity of the campus community.
Rankings
Al Akhawayn University has consistently ranked among the top universities in Morocco and the Arab world:
- Ranked 1st in Morocco and 44th in the Arab World by Times Higher Education (2018).[8]
- Featured in Times Higher Education's coverage of the global future of liberal arts education (2025).[9]
Academic centers and institutes
The university hosts several academic centers and institutes supporting research, community engagement, and professional development:
- Language Center (LC)
- Leadership Development Institute Archived 2023-04-16 at the Wayback Machine
- Center for Business Ethics (CBE)
- Institute of Economic Analysis & Prospective Studies (IEAPS) Archived 2020-04-28 at the Wayback Machine
- Social Science Research Institute (SSRI) Archived 2020-04-28 at the Wayback Machine
- Executive Education Center (EEC) Archived 2020-04-28 at the Wayback Machine
- Hillary Clinton Women's Empowerment Center (HCWEC) Archived 2020-04-28 at the Wayback Machine
- Azrou Center for Local Community Development Archived 2020-04-28 at the Wayback Machine
Notable alumni
Among the institution's alumni are:
- Maha Laziri
- Soufiane El Khalidy
- Mohamed Tessoumi[10]
- Hatim Aznague[10]
- Youssef Ksiyer[11]
- Amina Faouzi Zizi
- Amine Kouame
- Ayoub Makroz
- Fatima Zahra Nouass
- Mohammed Benouarrek[12]
- Réda Dalil[13]
- Soukaina Ouaddar — Moroccan champion equestrian and Olympian
- Aomar Boum — anthropologist, appointed to endowed chair at the University of California[14]
- Samir Lebbar — CEO of Procter and Gamble North Africa[15]
- Omar Lahkim
- Zaynab El Bernoussi — political scientist
