Fouad Chaatit , Ph.D. Assistant Vice-President for Strategic Planning

1. Regional Issues and Experience of a Young Moroccan University in Regional Development53rdERSA CongressPalermo, Italy08/29/13 FouadChaatit, Ph.D. Assistant Vice-President for Strategic Planning Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane Ifrane, Morocco

2. Urban World • A city can be thought of as an agglomeration of contested spaces that generate a range of urban services, from transport, housing, medical aid, to jobs and financial markets (David Harvey, Justice, Nature and the Geography of Difference, 1996) • 4 focal scores contribute in their dynamics and interactions to the attractiveness and competitiveness of an urban system: Economy, Mobility, Society and Ecology (Kourtit et al 2012, 2013) • More than 50% of world population is currently urban (>2000 inhabitant) and is expected to rise to 80% in 2050 • Five main challenges in Moroccan cities

3. Employability • General employment rate is 37% in Morocco, 45.7% in Casablanca -> higher rate of NEET (not in education employment or training). • Employability of university graduates . 24.6% of job seekers are university graduates . 20% of university graduates have been unemployed for 60 months-> less chance for employment . A large proportion of university graduates is likely to stay in urban regions. . Need for social nets and creative perspectives for this category

4. Quality of life/Ecology • Rising concerns about: • Environmental sustainability • Remarkable decrease in green areas planning and ecological policy implementation • Waste management and urban resilience • Risk management arising from climate change

5. Social and Cultural Challenges • Social cohesion and equity • Social divide implying risks of social tensions • Cultural/social divide arising from dynamics of migration flows and economic discrepancies and vital need to live together in harmony. • Ensuring an open and inclusive sense of belonging.

6. Mobility within and from cities • Rising amount of outskirt cities • Ensuring necessary and efficient infrastructures for connection between different poles of the same city, as well as between cities • Connectivity and public transportation availability and efficiency • Safety

7. Economy/Innovation • Economic sustainability of cities • Creative scientific, technological, industrial, agricultural, touristic entrepreneurial capital • Ability to attract companies, firms and talent based not only on geographical conditions/location but also on tangible incentives such as tax reliefs in designated areas, and intangible ones such as quality of life, safety, schooling.

8. AUI: A Campus for All Seasons

9. Facts and Figures • The University (NEASC): • Business Administration (EPAS) • Humanities and Social Sciences (Peer-Review) • Science and Engineering (ABET) • Language Centre (CEA), Center for Academic Development • Students 1,833 • Faculty 128 • Graduates 2,986 • and Social Sciences (Peer-Review) • Science and Engineering (ABET)

10. Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane: • Independent • Public • Not-for-profit • Coeducational • Globally oriented • English-language, liberal-arts curriculum based on the American system

11. AUI Mission: Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane is an independent, public, not-for-profit, coeducational Moroccan university committed to educating future citizen-leaders of Morocco and the world through a globally oriented, English-language, liberal-arts curriculum based on the American system. The University enhances Morocco and engages the world through leading-edge educational and research programs, including continuing and executive education, upholds the highest academic and ethical standards, and promotes equity and social responsibility

12. AUI and the PCD • Commune Plan Development for Ifrane, Azrou, Sidi Lmakhfi, Oued Ifrane, Timahdite, DayetAoua, Ben Smime, Ain LeuhTigrigra, et Tizguite, following SWOT analysis for a six yearperiodwithcontinuousfollow up. • Environment Workshops for middle management in the topics of Moroccanenvironmentalregulations, sustainabledevelopment, national environmentstrategy, and initiation to environmental impact studies.

13. AUI and the PCD • Urban development mission targeting staff in charge of urban development control with workshops in the areas of urban development harnessing, authorizations management, and urbandevelopmentstrategy. • Social and economicdevelopmentcomponent targeting commune generalsecretaries and persons in charge of investments and bringingwealth

14. AUI and the PCD • A component on local governance and regionalization for general secretaries of communes • A component on ICT: . Commune Information System (CIS) introduce, use, update data, report generation, operating techniques . GeographicInformation System (GIS) (importance of GIS, component of GIS, use of GIS in land planning, case study in the Ifrane province)

15. Enabling Development with ICTs • The e-ICT4D : Information and Communication Technologies for Development in Morocco. Developed concrete applications to enhance the daily life of Moroccans in different sectors, such as public administration, transport, tourism and education • Main Project in E-Government: Developed an advanced ICT platform to enable online delivery of citizen-oriented services to the local community in Ifrane and Fes • Output: Efficiency and transparency services in Ifrane, Fes and pilot to other cities in Morocco • Speed in administrative document delivery • Education and e-Learning and KOICA Project: Developed On-line courses in MTH, PHY, CHE, BIO for K-12 Ed to local high schools

16. Environment and Energy • University strategy: Promote research with direct social, economic, or technological impact on society; • Accompany regional and national development while preserving the environment and the valuable natural resources.

17. Environment and Energy • Water Demand Management to Adapt to Scarcity and Climate Change: developed and implemented a Demand Side Management (DSM) approach in the Saiss Basin focusing on agriculture and irrigation. • UNESCO Chair: Water, Women, and Decision Power • Participative and Adaptive Models of Natural Resource Management in the Atlas Mountains

18. Environment and Energy • Sahara Trade Winds to Hydrogen • Bioconversion: Biofuel (Bioethanol) from LignocellulosicSubstrate: value the solid waste of ”olive cake” by converting its lignocellulose to fuel bioethanol • Thermal insulation of houses in Ifrane region • Solarenergy for schools (AinAlkhil, HinH)

19. Environment and Energy The NACIR project: (New Applications for CPV’s: A Fast Way to Improve Reliability) deals with concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) modules capable of producing 30 kW peak power located at AUI campus. The produced power is injected in the ONE grid (National Office of Electricity), thus giving the first connection to the Moroccan electric grid of this type. This project is financed through the EU.

20. EEC • Three programs for La Direction Générale des Collectivités Locales, DGCL (Ministry of Interior); • One program for Le Haut Commissariat aux Eaux et Forêts et à la Lutte Contre la Désertification, HCEFLCD.

21. Azrou Center • AzrouCenter for Community Development was inaugurated in 2000. The Azrou Center was founded with donations by the Prince of Saudi Arabia, AbdelazizIbn Fahd. • The Center’s mission is to contribute to the improvement of living conditions of the population of neighboring city Azrouand its region at the social, medical, and educational levels. • The Center is the social branch of Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane.

22. Azrou Center • Medical: awareness sessions related to health education, medical campaigns in various disciplines: ophthalmology, gynecology, hygiene, screening for breast cancer • Educational: through literacy classes, introduction to ICT, introductory courses in French, sessions on human rights, information sessions on the new Family Code, awareness to environmental and social issues.  

23. WayForward • Consolidate strengths and acquired expertise. • Explore new avenues of university involvement in regional development in partnership with new partners (tourism investment, entrepreneurship) • Contribute to reduce digital, scientific, economic divide between north and south to allow for a better future of the Mediterranean region.