Moroccan universities, AIOU sign partnership accord

Islamabad

Two top universities of Morocco signed an agreement of cooperation and partnership with Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) to achieve their common target of quality education through capacity-building of their faculty members and exchange of academic programs.

President of Morocco Hasan II, De Casablanca University Professor Idriss Mansouri and President of Morocco University of Fez Professor Omar Assobhei signed ‘Intent of Cooperation’ documents during their visit to AIOU.

AIOU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Shahid Siddiqui who inked the documents on behalf of AIOU said that the documents will enable the two sides to pool their academic resources for providing best possible educational facilities to their students.

The Moroccan educationists lauded the open distance learning system, being practiced by the AIOU since 1974. They showed keen interest to follow the same in their country to expand educational reach and access at higher education level.

The memorandums of understanding will pay the way exchange of faulty members and students for their training at all levels (Undergraduate, Master and postgraduate programs). The two sides will help each other for commercialization of Research and Development work. They will exchange information, teaching material and scientific reports and support each other for organizing conferences, seminars, workshop and course for benefit of their students.   

Dr. Shahid Siddiqui briefed the guests about the university’s infrastructural and academic potential in covering a huge number of male and female students. He also told them about the university’s recent achievements and initiatives in the fields of research, training of human manpower, strengthening of students’ support system and revising of its curriculum and text books. The university has set a unique example publishing eight research journals within a period of one year, he added.

The Moroccan universities’ Presidents and Acting Dean of the Faculty of Letters and Sciences, Dhar El Mehraz, Abdelilah Benmlih said they saw bright prospects of viable working arrangement with AIOU’, hoping it will serve as model for bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the field of education.

They were agreed that their cooperation in higher education will play a key role in bringing governments and people of the two nations closer to each other. They said the two countries have many challenges of similar nature and joint research projects will be of great help for both sides.

It was noted that there was political willingness on both the sides that makes it much easier for planning and execution of joint academic and research programs. 

The delegation thanked Dr. Shahid Siddiqui for the warm hospitality extended to them during their visit to AIOU and invited him to visit their country for the follow-up.

Head of International Exchange and Collaboration Department Zahid Majeed gave them a presentation on the AIOU overall working. AIOU Vice Chancellor presented bouquets and university’s shields to the delegates.