Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane (AUI) has unveiled a postgraduate level city management course to be taught by both Moroccan and foreign professors.
By Shaquile Goff
Rabat – The Africities summit is currently taking place in Marrakech. The Africities summit convened communities and local authorities from African countries.
AUI, which is among participants in the event, announced it would now offer a new collaborative master’s course in city management to African students. The course will focus on development, local administration skills, and studying administrative decentralization patterns in Africa.
AUI announced they are appealing to both professors from Moroccan and international professors from the US, Europe, and other African countries to add their knowledge and experience to the course.
Read Also: Al Akhawayn University Ranks 1st in Morocco, 44th in Arab World
The curriculum will consist of interactive and practical assignments, as well as cross-country exchange opportunities. After 12 months of study, students will earn a city management master’s degree from Al Akhawayn.
King Hassan II founded AUI in 1995 by royal decree. Money given by King Fahd of Saudi Arabia to clean up an oil spill off of Morocco’s coast was used to establish the university.
Ever since, AUI has become a top-tier institution with degrees in humanities, social sciences, engineering, and business administration. The university also formed educational partnerships with foreign countries, and on a recent ranking of Arab universities, AUI ranked first in Morocco.
AUI hopes to prepare current and future city officials to tackle development and growth challenges facing the African continent.
Africa is the poorest continent on earth, containing 18 of the poorest countries based on per capita GDP, according to Business Insider. However, experts predict Africa’s population to grow exponentially in the 21st century, and countries hope to have a team of trained officials ready. Africities will close on November 24.