Evaluation of Applications for State Recognition of Private Institutions
In view of the overriding importance of State recognition for private higher education institutions, and in fulfilment of the mandates entrusted to the National Agency for Evaluation and Quality Assurance in Higher Education and Scientific Research, ANEAQ began evaluating private higher education institutions in 2022 for the award or renewal of State recognition.
In this context, the Agency received electronic copies of 27 applications for renewal of recognition and 10 new applications. It established expert panels, each consisting of three experts, including former university presidents, former directors and deans of institutions, and higher education professors recognised for their expertise.
After a preliminary examination of the applications by the evaluators, the Agency scheduled on-site visits to the universities and institutions concerned in accordance with the programme. During the visits, experts met the various groups within each institution, including administrative staff, teachers, employees, students, graduates, and economic and social partners. They also visited facilities including classrooms, laboratories, libraries and recreational areas. A representative of the Agency and a representative of the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation joined the experts on these visits.
| Institution / university | Application type |
|---|---|
| Higher School of Architecture of Casablanca | Renewal of recognition |
| École Centrale de Casablanca | Renewal of recognition |
| Moroccan School of Engineering, Rabat | Renewal of recognition |
| Moroccan School of Engineering Sciences in Management and Industrial Computing – Marrakech | Renewal of recognition |
| Moroccan School of Engineering Sciences in Management and Industrial Computing – Rabat | Renewal of recognition |
| Moroccan School of Engineering Sciences in Management and Industrial Computing – Casablanca | Renewal of recognition |
| School of Engineering and Modern Sciences — ENSIT | New application |
| Business Management School — ESCA | Renewal of recognition |
| Private Higher School of Commerce and Business Management — ESCGA | New application |
| Higher School of Civil Engineering and Modern Technology — ESGCNT | New application |
| Higher School of Engineering in Applied Sciences — ESISA | New application |
| Higher School of Economics and Management — ESSEM | New application |
| Higher School of Information, Telecommunications, Management and Civil Engineering — ESTEM | Renewal of recognition |
| School of Advanced Accounting and Financial Studies — HECF | New application |
| School of Advanced Business and Computer Studies — HECI | New application |
| School of Advanced Economics, Business and Engineering — HEEC | Renewal of recognition |
| Institute of Advanced Management Studies — HEM | Renewal of recognition |
| Private School of Advanced Studies in Sciences, Engineering Technologies and Management — HESTIM | New application |
| Higher Institute of Applied Engineering — IGA | Renewal of recognition |
| International Institute of Advanced Studies in Morocco — IIHEM | Renewal of recognition |
| Private Higher Institute of Engineering and Business — ISGA-Casablanca | New application |
| Private Higher Institute of Engineering and Business — ISGA-Fès | Renewal of recognition |
| Private Higher Institute of Engineering and Business — ISGA-Marrakech | Renewal of recognition |
| Private Higher Institute of Engineering and Business — ISGA-Rabat | Renewal of recognition |
| Higher Institute of Management, Administration and Computer Engineering — ISMAGI | New application |
| Higher Institute of Transport and Logistics — ISTL | Renewal of recognition |
| Mundiapolis Private University | Renewal of recognition |
| Higher School of Commerce — Sup de co | Renewal of recognition |
| Higher School of Business Management, Commerce and Computing — Sup-Management | Renewal of recognition |
| Euro-Mediterranean University of Fez — UEMF | Renewal of recognition |
| Abulcasis International University of Health Sciences — UIASS | Renewal of recognition |
| International University of Casablanca — UIC | Renewal of recognition |
| Mohammed VI Polytechnic University — UM6P | Renewal of recognition |
| Mohammed VI University of Health Sciences — UM6SS | Renewal of recognition |
| International University of Agadir — Universiapolis | Renewal of recognition |
| Private University of Fez — UPF | Renewal of recognition |
| Private University of Marrakech Tensift Al Haouz — UPM | Renewal of recognition |
Final Expert Evaluation Results
Following the on-site visits, the expert panels prepared their evaluation reports. After receiving these reports, the Agency supplemented reports on institutions that received a positive opinion with recommendations intended to improve the quality of higher education, scientific research and student life at those institutions.
The final expert evaluation results produced by the Agency and approved by the Higher Commission for the Coordination of Higher Education are set out below.
| Application type | Number of applications | Accepted | Rejected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Renewal | 27 | 26 | 1 |
| New application | 10 | 4 | 6 |
This first experience of evaluating higher education institutions for the award or renewal of State recognition enabled the Agency to identify successful practices in certain private higher education institutions. These reflected a high standard of premises, infrastructure, equipment and qualified human resources, supporting the institutions' missions in both education and scientific research.
The experience also enabled the Agency to identify shortcomings in certain institutions, which can be summarised as follows:
Findings
- Most institutions were unfamiliar with the various regulations governing private higher education.
- Some institutions lacked annual activity reports.
- Some institutions lacked facilities and infrastructure meeting the standards applicable in higher education.
- Scientific research was weak in many institutions.
- Some institutions resorted to misleading advertising.
- The administrative and social status of some institutional staff was not compliant.
- Some institutions lacked governance structures.