Rabat – The creation of various UK TNE Education opportunities in Morocco is a major step in further strengthening the relations between the two countries, as well as elevating the Moroccan Higher Education system, according to the British Council in Morocco.
“Fundamental changes are underway within the Higher Education system to meet the demands of newly emerging industries and to support Morocco’s growing reputation as a gateway between Europe and Africa,” said Tony Reily, the British Council’s Morocco Director.
UK universities’ approach in education is becoming more and more open to diversifying across countries and regions and seizing international opportunities.
Meanwhile, with Morocco’s youth enthusiastically adopting the English language, the North African country is rapidly becoming an important international education market and a favorable environment for Transnational Education (TNE).
TNE is education delivered in a country other than the country in which the awarding institution is based, with UK Higher Education TNE referring to UK degree programs delivered outside of the UK.
A total of 140 UK universities currently deliver their undergraduate and postgraduate programs overseas through a range of TNE partnerships.
To assess the TNE opportunities and barriers facing UK universities in Morocco, the British Council conducted a study comprising extensive desk-based research, interviews with key stakeholders in Morocco, and online focus groups with students.
Taking advantage of young Moroccans’ embrace of English
The Council’s report, “Understanding TNE opportunities and barriers in Morocco,” was released on Tuesday, October 26, 2021, and the main findings were presented via webinar.
The report sheds light on the current gradual shift towards English-medium education among young Moroccans, alongside the country’s increasingly international outlook.
According to Moroccan students interviewed for the British Council’s report, the prestige of a UK degree is seen as opening job opportunities for students internationally and providing a competitive edge in the Moroccan labor market.
“Morocco is worthy of greater attention as a potential UK Transnational Education (TNE) market,” said Riley.
During the webinar, Steve Smith, the UK’s International Education Champion, made it clear that Morocco is an important emerging market for UK universities.
Challenges of Morocco’s education system
Some of the key findings in the report include the remarkable increase in the number of Moroccan students enrolled in UK universities, going from 425 to 955 between 2012 and 2020.
In addition, the study found that Morocco’s Higher Education system is facing challenges, such as high dropout rates and mismatch between school curriculum and labor market requirements.
Related challenges also include employer dissatisfaction with graduates’ foreign language competency (English and French) and underdeveloped soft skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and collaboration.
The study further found that UK universities can add the most value to Morocco in Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Health Sciences, Life Sciences and Nursing, Business, Management and Marketing, Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence, and Teacher Training.
Ties between the UK and Morocco have been getting more solid over the years, with the two countries signing a post-Brexit “continuity agreement” to further their diplomatic ties as well as commercial and cultural exchanges.
In January this year, the two countries celebrated the 300-year anniversary of their first trade treaty.
Abdeslam Aboudrar, Morocco’s then ambassador to the UK, said on the occasion: “The strategic relations between Morocco and Britain have witnessed a boost in recent years. The two countries launched a series of negotiations in particular in the fields of politics, diplomacy, trade, investment, defense, security, culture, and education.”
