The second edition of the EducationUSA Alumni Networking Event has successfully positioned American higher education and its alumni at the forefront of the evolving relations between Morocco and the United States. Held on August 29 at Dar America in Casablanca, this significant gathering was organized by the U.S. Mission in Morocco, bringing together former students from American institutions, business leaders, and academic partners. The event saw the participation of 200 alumni hailing from various Moroccan cities including Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier, and Dakhla. In her opening remarks, Rose Custis, the director of Dar America, highlighted the presence of over 120 leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs in attendance, proclaiming this event as the annual meeting dedicated to the EducationUSA alumni network.
Higher Education as a Catalyst for Bilateral Relations
During the afternoon session, Christopher Deutsch, the new U.S. Consul General in Casablanca, framed the gathering within the broader context of the longstanding relations between Rabat and Washington. He emphasized that the two nations share a "historic partnership" that spans over 250 years. According to Deutsch, education serves as a critical conduit for maintaining and enhancing these relations. He explained that individuals who have studied in the United States play a vital role in bridging the two countries through educational initiatives, business endeavors, research collaborations, and professional exchanges. Furthermore, he underscored the significance of an American education beyond the degree itself, noting that the personal and professional networks forged during studies can continue to exert influence long after returning to Morocco.
The U.S. Mission aims to sustain connections among former students while facilitating their engagement with universities, businesses, and institutions on both sides of the Atlantic. The Consul General urged participants to pinpoint "practical cooperation opportunities" and to cultivate new professional relationships. The panels organized during the event broadened discussions to encompass the contributions of alumni to the Moroccan economy. Notable speakers included Jinane Laghrari, president of the CGEM Skills and Employment Development Commission, and Julianne Furman, managing director of Polydesign Systems. Their dialogue focused on how the expertise gained by alumni can enhance the Moroccan entrepreneurial landscape and foster trade relations between the two countries.
Moreover, Deutsch advocated for American universities as pivotal players in various sectors such as research, innovation, technology, entrepreneurship, and professional skill development. He expressed a desire to see more collaborations blossoming between American institutions and their Moroccan counterparts, as well as with businesses and governmental organizations. According to him, such partnerships could spur innovation, enhance skill development, and create new economic cooperation opportunities. This sentiment echoed the remarks of Amine Bensaid, president of Al Akhawayn University, who highlighted the significant role of alumni who pursued their studies in the United States in strengthening Morocco's human capital.
Investing in Southern Morocco: Emerging Perspectives
The meeting also dedicated a segment to discussing the economic prospects of southern Morocco, particularly focusing on the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region. Saad Ismail, head of the Investor Support Division at the Regional Investment Center, and Nisrine Louzzi, director of the Dakhla Atlantic Port construction project, presented investment and development opportunities identified in the area. Discussions centered on potential partnerships between American businesses, universities, and institutions, and local stakeholders to support economic development in this part of Morocco through collaborations with external partners.
In addition to sectoral exchanges, the structuring of the alumni network emerged as another focal point of the event. Rose Custis announced that the program would facilitate discussions on the steps necessary to establish a nationwide association for American alumni in Morocco, aiming to foster continuity in relationships formed during their time in American universities. This event underscores the U.S. Mission's commitment to transforming the EducationUSA alumni network into a sustainable relationship framework between the two nations.
As reported by fr.le360.ma.
