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Rabat — The Private University of Fez (UPF) and Arizona State University (ASU) signed today the official launch of the UPF’s American International Institute (AII).
The signing ceremony in Rabat marked the establishment of North Africa’s first dual-degree program, signaling a new era of educational quality and international collaboration.
President Mohammed Aziz Lahlou of UPF spoke of the transformative importance of this newborn institute.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, he said that this launch “is a first in Morocco — in North Africa. For the first time, a Moroccan university will offer its students the possibility of obtaining two diplomas.”
He explained that the program offers Moroccan students “a Moroccan diploma recognized by the State and delivered by UPF, and an American diploma delivered by ASU, ranked number one for innovation in the United States for 10 years.”
The partnership represents far more than academic collaboration; it embodies Morocco’s strategic vision for educational modernization.
“The American International Institute is not just an institute, it’s a bridge — a bridge between Morocco and the United States, a bridge between our young talents and international academic standards, a bridge between local anchoring and global openness,” President Lahlou noted.
This initiative directly aligns with Morocco’s national development goals by addressing critical gaps in higher education quality and international competitiveness. The program offers students access to world-class curricula taught in English, incorporating cutting-edge technologies and international practices that align with global industry standards.
Susan Edgington, Executive Director of Global Academic Initiatives at ASU, displayed the university’s commitment to inclusive excellence, ensuring that they “believe that every student who desires university education deserves access to quality higher education.”
She spoke about the unique pathways this partnership creates for students, explaining, “Through our partnership with UPF, we’re building pathways for Moroccan students that will remove the typical barriers to a US university degree. We are the first and only US university making this promise to Moroccan students.”
The quality enhancement within the curriculum extends to practical outcomes.
ASU’s impressive track record — with 89% of graduates finding employment or pursuing graduate studies within 90 days of graduating — demonstrates the program’s potential impact on Morocco’s workforce development.
The university’s ranking as number two in the US for graduate employability reflects the practical value this partnership brings to Moroccan students.
Rick Shangraw, President of Cintana Education, which facilitated the convention, outlined the operational framework ensuring sustainable success through Cintana Education, which aims “to serve as that bridge between Arizona State University and UPF.”
He noted that Cinata Education had the duty of working “with Arizona State University to ensure we actually bring those dual degree programs, that we bring the content from Arizona State University.”
The AII offers students unprecedented opportunities for global engagement through mobility programs across 32 partner universities in 29 countries, participation in international competitions, and access to transdisciplinary research addressing global challenges.
This groundbreaking partnership positions Morocco as a regional hub for international education, demonstrating the country’s commitment to educational reform and youth empowerment.
By combining local expertise with global standards, the AII creates a model for educational excellence that other North African nations may follow, establishing Morocco as a leader in higher education innovation across the continent.
The initiative promises to produce globally competitive graduates equipped to drive Morocco’s continued development while maintaining strong cultural and national identity.
