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Join on Telegram Rabat – In an effort to bridge the gap between academic learning and practical industry engagement, the Rabat Networking Days, organized by Morocco World News (MWN), provided a dynamic platform for students from Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane (AUI).
The second edition of this transformative two-day event, held on January 11 and 12, not only facilitated networking opportunities but also immersed emerging talents from AUI into the heart of Rabat’s dynamic communications and international relations sectors.
Latifa Yaakoubi, the General Director of ANDZOA
Far beyond the conventional networking event, the Rabat Networking Days offered a unique platform for young talents to delve into the intricacies of the National Agency for the Development of Oasis Zones and the Argan Tree (ANDZOA).
ANDZOA, established in 2010 under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture and Maritime Fishing, is a Moroccan government agency committed to sustainable development in Morocco’s oases and arganeraie regions.
Rabat Networking Days
Expressing her delight at hosting future graduates of AUI, Latifa Yaakoubi, the General Director of ANDZOA, emphasized the agency’s dedication to fostering sustainable development.
Read also: Rabat Networking Days Return With Focus on Morocco’s Youth Empowerment
ANDZOA’s core missions involve collaborating with government authorities, elected bodies, and relevant organizations to execute, monitor, and evaluate sustainable development initiatives in economic, social, cultural, environmental, and human dimensions.
Rabat Networking Days
Technical, socio-economic, and environmental studies are integral to ANDZOA’s operations, leading to the formulation of programs in areas such as education, culture, professional training, health, housing, tourism, and artisanal activities.
The agency actively engages in local development projects to enhance living conditions and stimulate economic activities for the region’s populations.
Rabat Networking Days
In a dialogue with the visiting students, Yaakoubi elaborated on ANDZOA’s efforts in sustainable development, partnerships with local actors, and specific programs targeting women and youth. Addressing contemporary challenges, Yaakoubi highlighted issues related to drought constraints and rural exodus in these ecosystems.
Morocco is facing its sixth consecutive year of drought, the country’s Minister of Equipment and Water, Nizar Baraka, announced on December 21, stressing that this negatively affects the country’s essential agricultural sector.
Rabat Networking Days
According to Baraka, Morocco has entered a critical phase with a 67% reduction in rainfall in recent months compared to the norm.
These challenges were further discussed in a working session chaired by King Mohammed VI on January 16, where Minister Baraka presented alarming statistics, including a 70% rainfall deficit and a dam filling rate of 23.2% compared to the same period last year.
Rabat Networking Days
Read also: Rabat Networking Days: Paving the Way for Tomorrow’s Leaders
ANDZOA, chaired by Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch or a designated government authority, oversees activities aimed at preserving, protecting, and developing oases, with a specific focus on socio-economic projects.
Encouraging investment in agriculture, optimizing water resource management, and combating desertification are also key aspects of ANDZOA’s mandate.
Rabat Networking Days
The discussion further delved into the agency’s role in promoting scientific research related to the protection and development of date palm trees and ecosystems in oases. ANDZOA also plays a crucial role in establishing systems for risk prediction and assessing the impact of climate change on these regions.
Also taking part in the conversation, students expressed their concerns about finding alternatives to climate change and emphasized the need for these two biospheres to continue playing their crucial roles, not only environmentally but also socially and economically.
Rabat Networking Days
The rich debate showcased the students’ genuine interest in seeking solutions to these pressing issues.
El Yacoubi expressed hope in the students. “Being future leaders and decision-makers, we can say that these are people, tomorrow, who will be ambassadors for the university, but also ambassadors for State policies and the implementation of these public policies for the safeguard of these fragile environments and ecosystems,” she noted.
Rabat Networking Days
The interaction also provided a platform for students to voice their concerns and receive responses concerning the preservation and sustainable development of these vital ecosystems.
In essence, Rabat Networking Days not only connected students with industry professionals but also fostered a dialogue that holds the promise of a sustainable future for Morocco’s oases and arganeraie regions.
The event underscored the importance of collaboration between academia and organizations like ANDZOA in addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change and rural development.
