Al Akhawayn University (; Berber: Tasdawit En Wawmaten) is a public, independent, not-for-profit, American-style liberal arts university located in Ifrane, Morocco. Founded by royal decree (Dahir) in 1993 and officially inaugurated on January 16, 1995, by King Hassan II, it is the only university in North Africa to offer a fully American-style liberal arts curriculum, with English as the primary language of instruction.
Situated on a 72-hectare residential campus in the Middle Atlas Mountains at an elevation of approximately 1,650 meters, the university is about 70 km from the imperial city of Fez. Al Akhawayn University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), making it one of the few institutions outside the United States to hold a US regional accreditation.
History
Al Akhawayn University was created by the vision of King Hassan II, who sought to establish a world-class institution in Morocco modeled on the American higher education system. The university was founded by Royal Decree (Dahir) in 1993 and officially inaugurated by the King on January 16, 1995. The Arabic name al-akhawayn, meaning "the two brothers," symbolizes the fraternal ties between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, whose respective sovereigns supported the project.
The founding vision was to create an institution that would develop Morocco's future leaders through critical thinking, multilingualism, and exposure to diverse perspectives — anchored in a liberal arts philosophy while remaining rooted in Moroccan and broader African identity.
Since its founding, Al Akhawayn University has grown from an initial intake of a few hundred students to over 3,500 enrolled students as of the 2024–2025 academic year, establishing itself as a leading institution in Morocco, Africa, and the broader Arab world.
Academics
thumb|The Al Akhawayn campus (2010)
Schools and programs
Al Akhawayn University offers undergraduate and graduate programs through three schools:
- School of Business Administration (SBA) — Offers programs in business administration, finance, economics, and management. The SBA has produced graduates who hold leadership positions in major multinational corporations and Moroccan enterprises.
- School of Science and Engineering (SSE) — Offers programs in computer science, engineering, and the sciences, with a growing focus on artificial intelligence, data science, and renewable energy.
- School of Humanities and Social Sciences (SHSS) — Offers programs in international studies, communication, political science, and human development.
All programs are structured around a common core curriculum inspired by the American liberal arts tradition, requiring students to develop competencies across disciplines — including the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and quantitative reasoning — regardless of their major.
- Featured in Times Higher Education's coverage of the global future of liberal arts education (2025).
Academic centers and institutes
The university hosts several academic centers and institutes supporting research, community engagement, and professional development:
- Language Center (LC)
- Leadership Development Institute
- Center for Business Ethics (CBE)
- Institute of Economic Analysis & Prospective Studies (IEAPS)
- Social Science Research Institute (SSRI)
- Executive Education Center (EEC)
- Hillary Clinton Women's Empowerment Center (HCWEC)
- Azrou Center for Local Community Development
Notable alumni
Among the institution's alumni are:
- Maha Laziri
- Soufiane El Khalidy
- Mohamed Tessoumi
- Hatim Aznague
- Ayoub Makroz
- Mohammed Benouarrek
- Réda Dalil
- Soukaina Ouaddar — Moroccan champion equestrian and Olympian
- Aomar Boum — anthropologist, appointed to endowed chair at the University of California
- Samir Lebbar — CEO of Procter and Gamble North Africa
- Omar Lahkim
- Zaynab El Bernoussi — political scientist
See also
- List of Islamic educational institutions
- List of universities in Morocco
- Science and technology in Morocco
- Education in Morocco