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Rabat – Al-Akhawayn University in Ifrane (AUI) released today a statement addressing recent allegations levelled against the university.
The statement comes to refute claims by former Al-Akhawayn professor Aaron Ashby, who earlier this month exclusively informed Morocco World News that he was “fired” from the university staff after an anonymous source leaked compromising pictures of him that outed his homosexuality.
AUI said in its statement that Ashby’s work contract was “terminated by mutual agreement” after the photo leak. The leaked pictures, according to AUI, depicted “an act of nudity” that violated “the values and regulations of the University and were denounced by professors, students, and parents alike.”
The statement also addressed the decision by the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) and US Department of State to halt funding to the school. AUI said: “MEPI only paused a scheduled payment, while the University implements additional mutually agreed upon provisions, strengthening the mechanisms of protection against sexual harassment, in full compliance with Moroccan laws.”
For its part, AUI strongly denied mishandling on-campaus sexual harassment cases by “reiterating its strong and unequivocal attachment to the values of respect for individual freedoms, diversity and tolerance which are and will remain at the heart of its DNA.” It concluded: “Al Akhawayn also remains vigilant to guarantee its students the protection and the respect for their values and their identity as guaranteed by Moroccan law.”
Al-Akhawayn is known to be among Morocco’s top learning institutions. With nearly 2500 degree seeking students registered in its fall 2020 semester, according to the institution’s official website, the university’s four-year and English-taught bachelor programs are among the most coveted in Morocco.
