Al Akhawayn University

Al Akhawayn University
جامعة الأخوين
TypePublic university
EstablishedJanuary 16, 1995 (1995-01-16)[1]
AccreditationNew England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
AffiliationsGlobal Liberal Arts Alliance, APSIA, EPUF
ChancellorAbdellatif Jouahri
PresidentAmine Bensaid[2]
Students3,500 (2024–2025)
Location
Ifrane
,
Morocco

33°32′21″N 5°06′20″W / 33.539248°N 5.105553°W / 33.539248; -5.105553
Campus
Colors    Green and white
Websiteaui.ma

Al Akhawayn University (Arabic: جامعة الأخوين; Berber: Tasdawit En Wawmaten; abbreviated AUI. Also known as The American University in Morocco) is a public, independent, not-for-profit, American-style liberal arts university located in Ifrane, Morocco. It follows an English-language liberal arts curriculum based on the American higher education system.[3][4] 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.[5][6]

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).[7]

History

Al Akhawayn University was created by King Hassan II, who sought to establish a high-quality institution in Morocco modeled on the American higher education system. The university was founded by Royal Decree (Dahir) in 1993 and 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.[8]

The U.S. Department of State provided funding to the school in 2020 and 2021 through the Middle East Partnership Initiative. In 2021, the department paused funding due to reports of sexual harassment against students and faculty members. The university said they were taking measures to address the issues.[9] The university fired a professor in 2026 due to allegations of sexual harassment.[10]

Academics

The Al Akhawayn campus (2010)

Schools and programs

Al Akhawayn University offers undergraduate and graduate programs through three schools: School of Business Administration (SBA), School of Science and Engineering (SSE), and School of Humanities and Social Sciences (SHSS).[11] All programs are structured around a common core curriculum inspired by the American liberal arts tradition.[11]

English is the primary language of instruction across all programs. Students also develop proficiency in French, Arabic, and often a third foreign language.

Accreditation and recognition

Al Akhawayn University holds accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), a US regional accreditor. The university is also recognized by the Moroccan Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation.

Al Akhawayn University was ranked 1st in Morocco and 44th in the Arab World by Times Higher Education (2018).[12] It was featured in Times Higher Education's coverage of the global future of liberal arts education (2025).[13]

Notable alumni

Among the institution's alumni are:

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". Al Akhawayn University. Retrieved 2026-06-09.
  4. ↑ "American Studies". U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Morocco. Retrieved 2026-06-09.
  5. ↑ "Al Akhawayn University Ranks 1st in Morocco, 44th in Arab World". Morocco World News. 2018-03-03. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
  6. ↑ "The future of liberal arts may belong to the Global South". THE Campus Learn, Share, Connect. 2025-07-04. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
  7. ↑ "Creating new partnerships: ISU group visits Moroccan universities - News - Illinois State". Illinois State University. 2023-07-03. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
  8. ↑ "Al Akhawayn University Celebrates its 18th anniversary". Morocco World News. 2013-01-22. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
  9. ↑ "MEPI Pauses Project Funding to AUI for alignment over 'Sexual Harassment Allegations'". Morocco World News. 2021-06-06. Retrieved 2026-06-29.
  10. ↑ Elghoubachi, Amina (2026-02-18). "Al Akhawayn University Fires Indian Professor After Sexual Harassment Claims". Barlaman Today. Retrieved 2026-06-29.
  11. 1 2 "Al Akhawayn University". Council of Independent Colleges. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
  12. ↑ "Al Akhawayn University Ranks 1st in Morocco, 44th in Arab World". Morocco World News. 2018-03-03. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
  13. ↑ "The future of liberal arts may belong to the Global South". THE Campus Learn, Share, Connect. 2025-07-04. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
  14. 1 2 "HATIM AZNAGUE : PORTE-ÉTENDARD DE LA CAUSE ENVIRONNEMENTALE ET AMBASSADEUR DU MAROC POUR LE CLIMAT". Le Monde Infos. January 25, 2024.
  15. ↑ 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.
  16. ↑ "M. Benouarrek rejoint le groupe Promamec - La Vie éco". La Vie Eco (in French). 2011-06-08. Retrieved 2023-07-26.
  17. ↑ "Communiqué : Reda Dalil succède à Aïcha Akalay en tant que directeur de la publication de TelQuel". Telquel.ma (in French). Retrieved 2023-07-26.
  18. ↑ "L'anthropologue marocain M.Boum, nommé à l'Université de Californie". Le Matin (in French). November 16, 2021. Retrieved 2023-07-26.
  19. ↑ "Procter & Gamble: Samir Lebbar, nouveau PDG pour l'Afrique du Nord | MapNews". www.mapnews.ma. Retrieved 2023-07-26.
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