Cardiff Met Strengthens Partnership with SIST Through Student Engagement

Marrakech – A delegation from Cardiff Metropolitan University recently visited SIST campuses across Morocco. The three-day visit in mid-May aimed to strengthen ties between the institutions.

Led by Student Life representative Rewathi Viswanatham, the Cardiff Met team engaged directly with students at SIST campuses in Casablanca, Rabat, and Tangier. The visit formed part of a strategic initiative to foster closer ties with students, gather direct feedback, and reinforce collaborative commitments.

“It’s hard to put into words how much the visit to SIST in Morocco meant. The conversations and the raw, honest passion from students really stayed with me,” Viswanatham shared on LinkedIn following the visit.

A delegation from Cardiff Metropolitan University recently visited SIST campuses across Morocco.

The delegation organized student life sessions in partnership with SIST Student Union representatives from each campus. These sessions created a platform for students to speak candidly about their experiences without faculty present.

Conversations encompassed academic routines, instructor interactions, extracurricular activities, and leadership development opportunities.

To assess student satisfaction, the Cardiff Met team facilitated structured discussions using over 30 carefully crafted questions. Topics ranged from exam formats and grading transparency to on-campus services and student recruitment paths.

The discussions also examined the selection and role of class representatives, positioning student leadership as crucial to campus culture development.

Each session concluded with interactive quizzes that reinforced key insights from the discussions. This approach fostered teamwork and encouraged spirited participation, further strengthening bonds between the visiting delegation and students. Participants received gifts and souvenirs as tokens of appreciation.

The visit demonstrated both institutions’ dedication to student-centered education. By establishing spaces for authentic conversations and genuine connection, SIST and Cardiff Met continue to cultivate an inclusive, responsive educational environment with global perspectives.

Student voices are central to educational transformation

SIST, established in 2001, operates as part of the British Education Group (BEG), which has delivered British education in Morocco for 25 years. As the pioneering UK-affiliated college in Morocco, SIST delivers UK-accredited bachelor’s, master’s, and MBA programs taught entirely in English.

BEG encompasses multiple institutions, including SIST, BASM (British Academy School Marrakech), IIEM (International Institute for Engineering & Management), and BLC (British Language Centre).

Cardiff Metropolitan University officially recognizes SIST as its transnational partner in Morocco for franchised programs.

The academic partnership offers dual-degree pathways where graduates receive both a British degree from Cardiff Met and a Moroccan private degree accredited by Morocco’s Ministry of Higher Education.

Undergraduate offerings include business pathways in International Trade, Marketing, Finance, and HR, plus BSc Software Engineering. Postgraduate options feature MBA and MSc Digital Marketing Management programs.

SIST maintains campuses in Casablanca, Rabat, and Tangier, with all teaching conducted in English. The institution provides an International Foundation Year for students requiring language or academic preparation. Students can transfer to the UK at any point, with many completing master’s degrees at Cardiff Met.

The long-standing collaboration equips Moroccan learners with qualifications and experiences for international success while maintaining connections to local educational frameworks.

As the delegation concluded their visit, one message emerged clearly: when students receive genuine attention, transformation extends beyond classrooms to influence campuses, countries, and futures.