Higher Education in Morocco: A Guest Blog from Mike Holland and Kana Shiota

As promised, here is the guest blog from Mike and Kana, our resident higher ed gurus!

During our meeting with the department of higher education, we were granted with a comprehensive presentation on how the country’s reform efforts have aimed to provide links to the socio-economic world and to help foster international cooperation.  Fortunate for us, the department of higher education was spoiled with English speakers, allowing our dear translator, Rita, some brief, well-deserved rest.

Much like what we had been hearing throughout our previous meetings, the challenge for higher education in Morocco has to do with quality.  This challenge is in many ways the by-product of having a system in which citizens receive free admission to public universities.  As much of our prior research has shown, free education usually means compromising quality.  Unfortunately, the system of higher education in Morocco is not an exception to this rule.  93% of all higher education students are at free public institutions, but these institutions offer poor quality and few economic returns. 

Our presentation started with a snapshot of the country’s higher education system, which includes 15 public universities, 197 private institutions a host of other vocational schools and even one American-international university. 

Efforts to reform higher education as a result of the National Charter (and a later consolidation of the charter) included the following principles: (1) structures (including increased autonomy for individual universities), (2) pedagogy (including renovated curricula and renewed approaches), (3) new mission (based on an entrepreneurial structure), and (4) adequate training for employment (so as to provide a practical link to the labor market which has been absent for decades).

All of these principles were designed to reform a system that was much too rigid for the 21^st century.  Major accomplishments of the reform included a new curricular focus on Information and Computer Technology (ICT), increased emphasis on research among faculty and the transformation of that research into practice, and expanded opportunities for Moroccan universities to participate in exchange programs with other universities all over the world. 

One of the most exciting changes to the system in our opinion was the adoption of the Europe’s Bologna process for awarding degrees to graduates.  Rather than offer diplomas to graduates that are only meaningful to Moroccan employers, universities can now present graduates with B.A.s, M.A.s and Ph.Ds, which allows them to transfer credits, conduct research and enter an international labor force much more seamlessly.   

One of the issues which was not discussed was the issue of equality. In Morocco, there are two tracks: the technical and general.  The technical has a quota system (testing to get in) and attracts the elite (middle and upper class), while the general is open to all, thus accounting for 86% of all university students.  Not surprisingly, the general track has a higher unemployment rate than the technical track.  While we wanted to ask more questions about this important issue of equality and their strategies to address this, unfortunately we ran out of time. We were escorted out of a beautiful courtyard, and rode away on our preschool bus to our next destination: pre-school!

African Similarities: A Guest Blog from Afi Daitey

Closer than Perceived: Similarities between North and Sub-Saharan Africa

As we move further into the 21^st century there are more stories of Africa’s emerging economies, increasing middle class and improvement in access to basic education. While incidents of conflict, hunger and distress still populate the media; Africa is no longer being inaccurately portrayed as the “hopeless continent”. If you’ve taken a minute to read my bio, you may have noticed my interest in the relationships between the entire African continent. Our trip to Morocco offered a perfect opportunity to explore those connections. 

Educational similarities

Most African countries encounter difficulties when dealing with the issue of language and Morocco is different. During our meeting with the curriculum department, the director of curriculum compared Morocco’s struggle with language of instruction to that of South Africa. How can bi-lingual education work in the context of African countries? How long should the mother tongue be taught to ensure the best academic opportunities? Are local languages an issue of passion or practicality? To a large degree the issue of language is a result of colonialism and African countries must find a way to deal with the lingering effects.

Sister Cities Africa

On Wednesday, January 11^th, we were afforded the opportunity to meet with Mr. Mazoz, President and Founder of Sister Cities Africa. In his presentation he defined the objectives of Sister Cities Africa as, “creating a platform which encourages partnerships among African cities themselves and between African and American cities. Our main goal is to reduce the gap between the North and South and engage in mutual cultural understanding and appreciation.” His hard work was also responsible for the creation of the Sidi Moumen Cultural Center. Not only was I impressed with his life’s work but the fact that (our) Rita was the former publicity director for Sister Cities Africa!

At the end of Mr. Mazoz’s presentation on the work of Sister Cities Africa I got an opportunity to speak with him about what he considered similarities between countries on the continent. While he was quick to tell me that a much longer conversation was needed to discuss the many similarities, he did provide a few jewels: wisdom (and respect) of the elders, abundance of natural resources, importance of holding the family together and significance of traditional values.

One of my favorite similarities is the value and support of the extended family. It is very common for a child to stay with parents (or other extended family) into their late 20’s and even 30’s. There isn’t the same rush to step out on one’s own until the child is ready to make that move. The parents and grandparents can expect the same support in return, as it is very common for elder family members to live with their children instead of at a nursing home.

Mr. Mazoz

21^st century Africa

On Friday, January 13^th, Brain, Rita and I attend Sister Cities Africa’s 1^st Regional Conference. At this conference, there were representatives from East, North and West Africa. During the panel we attended, I noticed one theme: the need to rely more on neighboring countries on the continent. While it was clear that immense value lies in relationships between U.S. and African cities, there was a new push for relationships between cities on the continent.

We often hear of stark differences between Sub-Saharan and North Africa. There is no doubt that real distinctions exist, however there are many more things in common outside of the fact that the two regions shares the same continent. This piece is in no way an exhaustive list--as I am no expert--but as an Africanist, I looked for opportunities to connect us rather than separate. Based on the open and caring nature of the people of Morocco, I believe that we will see more opportunities for the entire continent to celebrate their similarities and opportunity to rise together in the 21^st century.  

At the conference. 

Speaking Like a Local: Guest Blog from Jane Hsu

Jane here, reporting live from the streets of Rabat!

Language has played an integral role in our research trip as we have been learning about the impacts of French colonization, Arabization policies, marginalized groups such as the Berbers, and many other language-related factors that influence the quality of education in Morocco. I'm sure with Meaghan's copious note-taking that theacademics of this topic are being fully documented so, I've decided my update will focus rather on something lighter and more personal ... the joys of learning Moroccan Arabic in the past two days!

I’ll start off by letting you in on a secret. I’m not really a linguistic rock star, but somehow got dubbed “The Linguist/Polyglot” last night at dinner when we were creating nicknames for everyone in the group. In this guest blog entry, I’m going to share handy tips on jumping into beginner’s Arabic, so you too can impress friends and locals next time you are in North Africa!

1. On the plane ride over when everyone else was watching the Narnia sequel, I wrote down some key phrases from our group’s Google doc “Visitor Guide to Morocco” so they would be easily accessible in my notebook for the rest of the trip.

2. At the airport while we were waiting to exchange money and claim bags, a bunch of us started trying out phrases. I kept asking Rachel (resident Arabic expert from her Moroccan Peace Corps days) to provide pointers on pronunciation. Then Kana and I practiced the greetings back and forth, back and forth, back and forth until they became rote…which I’m sure was a pleasure for everyone who was listening.

3. Mnemonic devices helped me survive the SAT’s and they still work just as well today! They don’t have make sense to anyone else, just quirky enough to stick in my head. Here are some examples (btw these spellings are not even close to correct but also help me remember).

“Afak” (Please) - sounds like Affleck (as in Ben).
“Bineen” (Delicious) - sounds like the country Benin.
“Ana FarHana” (I’m Happy) - sounds like Ana Faris.
“Bes Meela” (Let’s eat) - sounds like Best Meal (you say this before you start anything)
“SmeeTee” (My name is) - sounds like Smee (that pirate sidekick character in the movie Hook).
“Ana Midigadiga” (I’m tired) - sounds like Anna Ma Diga Diga (it`s just fun to say so easy to remember)
“El Awful” (You’re Welcome) - sounds like Awful.
“Safi” (Enough) - sounds like Afi’s name with an S in front.
“SmeH-liya” (Excuse Me) - sounds like Smell ya!
“Coolie” (Eat) - sounds like a derogatory Chinese reference (you say this when motioning to a girl to eat/you say Cool for a boy)
“Humdoola” (Praise be to God) - sounds like Humdinger. Is that a real word or just a Cranium category? (you use it to say something is good)

4. The first Moroccan we met was Rita’s husband who greeted us with a big smile when we got out of the airport. Someone encouraged me to try out my new phrases with him and I spit out a slew. He responded in a big belly laugh and loved the effort. From there my confidence grew.

5. I`ve been writing down more words in my trusty notebook as the days pass. We’ve been attending back-to-back Ministry of Education meetings (all in full force Francois since that is the language of the government, business, urban elite, etc.), so I haven’t had that many opportunities to try out my Arabic conversation skillz on the street, but today is a free day to explore downtown Rabat so I'm ready!