Open University Expands with New Campus in Morocco
His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Arab Open University, has declared the inauguration of the university's campus in the Kingdom of Morocco. This marks the establishment of the tenth campus within its educational network across the Arab world. The announcement was made during the 45th meeting of the Board of Trustees, held via video conference, which saw the participation of esteemed members of the council.
In his address, Prince Abdulaziz expressed profound gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco and his government for the unwavering support and facilitation provided to the university from its inception to the readiness of the campus to welcome its first cohort of students at the start of the 2026-2027 academic year. He highlighted that the relevant governmental bodies and private sector institutions in Morocco, particularly the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, have rendered various forms of support that contributed significantly to the realization of this ambitious educational project.
The Chairman emphasized, "The opening of the university's tenth campus represents a new milestone in the journey to promote high-quality open education in the Arab world. It embodies the vision of the university's founder, the late Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz, who began this initiative in 1996, believing that education is a right for all. Access to quality higher education should not be restricted to a privileged few but should be available to all segments of Arab society, especially the most disadvantaged. We are grateful to Almighty Allah for allowing us to continue this mission and fulfill an essential aspect of what he aspired to achieve."
Moreover, he noted that Morocco's inclusion in the university's system reflects its esteemed academic and cultural stature, bolstering its presence in North Africa. This move aims to expand flexible higher education opportunities and offer modern academic programs that meet the region's development and labor market needs. The selection of Morocco is also a continuation of its historical role as a knowledge hub, being one of the first Arab and Islamic countries to establish higher education institutions, including Al-Qarawiyyin University in Fez, which is recognized as one of the oldest universities in the world. This complements Morocco's rich scientific heritage with the university's mission of providing quality education for current and future generations.
In closing, Prince Abdulaziz extended his appreciation to the esteemed members of the Board of Trustees for their distinguished efforts and effective contributions in supporting the university’s mission and enabling it to fulfill its educational and developmental objectives over the past twenty-four years.
In a related statement, Dr. Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al-Zakri, President of the university in the Arab world, remarked that the opening of the campus in Morocco embodies the commitment to the developmental mission established by its founder, aiming to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to enter the job market. He added that the campus in Morocco will be accessible to all, with tuition fees set to accommodate various segments of society. Dr. Al-Zakri expressed his hope that it would become, God willing, an educational hub serving learners in the African coastal region, leveraging Morocco's strategic location and its rich cultural and scientific heritage on the African continent.
He encouraged students in Morocco to seize this opportunity and join the university, which has been established for their benefit. The academic programs, which are accredited both locally and internationally, have been developed in partnership with the oldest and most renowned open university in the world, ensuring that students receive the education they deserve. They will join a university community that currently includes over 90,000 students and more than 400,000 alumni since its inception in 2002, who have been recognized by employers both domestically and internationally.
As reported by alayam.com.
