Higher Education in Morocco: ANEAQ Supports a Stronger Quality Culture

Publication: Hespress | Date: 16 November 2017

Article by Tarek Benhadda

Higher Education in Morocco: ANEAQ Supports a Stronger Quality Culture

In an article published on 16 November 2017, Hespress reports on an international conference held at the Mohammadia School of Engineers in Rabat, bringing together Moroccan and international academics and experts to discuss the quality of higher education in Morocco.

The meeting formed part of a project supporting the operationalisation of the National Agency for Evaluation and Quality Assurance in Higher Education and Scientific Research (ANEAQ), implemented under the “Réussir le Statut Avancé” (RSA II) programme in partnership with the European Union.

Quality assurance at the heart of higher education development

On this occasion, Mokhtar Bakour, then Director of ANEAQ, highlighted the significant changes experienced by Morocco’s higher education system over the previous two decades.

Factors driving this development included broader access to education, international openness, the growth of distance learning and lifelong learning, and changing demands placed on higher education institutions.

An approach aligned with the 2015–2030 strategic vision

The article also recalls the importance of the strategic vision for education reform covering 2015–2030.

This orientation aims in particular to strengthen teaching quality, define strategic objectives for the education system and support better performance by Moroccan higher education institutions.

ANEAQ’s evaluation and quality assurance missions

The conference also provided an opportunity to present ANEAQ’s missions and objectives, based on a participatory approach tailored to the specific characteristics of the institutions being evaluated.

These missions include evaluating public and private higher education institutions and scientific research bodies, taking account of their educational and scientific projects.

They also include examining and evaluating study programmes for accreditation or renewal of accreditation.

Evaluating scientific research and university cooperation

Beyond programmes and institutions, the evaluation activities presented also cover doctoral studies centres, the outcomes of training and research conducted there, and the effectiveness of scientific research structures.

Evaluation also covers university cooperation programmes and projects in education and scientific research.

A participatory approach to quality

According to the missions presented at the conference, evaluations may be carried out at the request of the relevant ministries, the Higher Council for Education, Training and Scientific Research, the Hassan II Academy of Science and Technology, the National Centre for Scientific and Technical Research, and universities and higher education and research institutions.

Read the press article