Moroccan Students in Ukraine Protest for Remote Learning, Repatriation

Fez – Moroccan students at Ukrainian universities have been issuing a cry for help as some Ukrainian universities continue to deny them the “green light” to return to “remote learning” or travel back to Morocco amid mounting fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine.

In the past few days, Videos have been going viral online of both Moroccan students and other Arab students in Ukraine protesting for their right to remote learning.

On the verge of a probable war between Ukraine and Russia, countries including Morocco have issued evacuation orders for their citizens in Ukraine.

Morocco’s embassy in Kyiv has asked Moroccan nationals to depart the European country as soon as possible amid reports that Russia is mobilizing more troops at its borders with Ukraine.

Ukraine is home to over 10,000 students, and Moroccan students are the second largest foreign community studying in Ukrainian universities.

Following the embassy’s repatriation call, Moroccan students’ cry for help also suggests they are dissatisfied with the exorbitant cost of flight tickets.

According to reports, Ukraine’s Ambassador to Morocco, Vasylieva Oksana, has said that the issue of Moroccan students will be resolved through diplomatic means between Rabat and Kyiv.

Oksana urged Moroccan students in Ukraine “to remain calm and respect the directions of the relevant authorities and university administrations.”

She also noted that more than 20 Moroccan universities have collaborated with Ukrainian universities over the years, expressing her hope for the future of Moroccan-Ukrainian cooperation, particularly in the fields of culture and science.

Three repatriation flights from Ukraine are scheduled for February 15, including two flights from Moroccan flag carrier Royal Air Maroc.

The first flight will depart from Boryspil International Airport in Kyiv at 4 p.m. and arrive at Mohammed V Airport in Casablanca at 8:00 p.m.

The second special flight is scheduled at 6 p.m. from Boryspil International Airport, Kiev, while the arrival is scheduled for 10:15 p.m. at Mohammed V Airport in Casablanca.

In addition to the Royal Air Maroc repatriation flights, Air Arabia also announced on Monday that it will secure a Kyiv-Tangier flight today.