Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane

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. Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane stands as a beacon of higher education and research excellence in Morocco, located within the picturesque Atlas Mountains. This institution distinguishes itself not only through its comprehensive curriculum and diverse academic offerings but also through its significant engagement in EU-related research initiatives. The university’s commitment to international collaboration is evident in its active participation in projects funded by prominent EU programs such as Horizon 2020, Erasmus+, and PRIMA. These collaborations underscore the expertise of Al Akhawayn in managing and contributing to research projects that address global challenges, ranging from sustainable development to digital transformation and social sciences.

Team members

Nizar Messari

Associate Professor at Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane, Morocco. His areas of expertise are Theories of International Relations and Critical Security Studies. During the academic year 2021-22, he was Rice Scholar at Yale University’s MacMillan Center. He is also a member at large of the International Studies Association Governing Council for the exercise 2022-23. At Al Akhawayn University, he was Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences (2012-17) and then Vice President for Academic Affairs (2017-21).

Driss Maghraoui

Driss Maghraoui is Associate Professor of History and International Relations at AUI. Maghraoui is a founding member of the Arab Council for the Social Sciences and currently serves on its board of trustees, a founding member of the Rabat Social Studies Institute in Morocco, co-editor of Reforms in the Arab World: the Experience of Morocco, Mediterranean Politics, 2009, editor of Revisiting the Colonial Past in Morocco, 2013 by Routledge, and more recently co-editor with Noureddine Harrami and Khalid Mouna of L'immigration au Maroc: les défis de l'intégration, Fondation Heinrich Bölland Rabat Social Studies Institute, 2017.

Rachid Daoudi

Project Officer at Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane, Morocco. His role primarily encompasses the facilitation and support of the implementation of European-funded projects, particularly within the frameworks of Horizon 2020/Europe and Erasmus+, in addition to other national and international programs.

El Makhtar Rhannai

Payroll and Accounting Manager at Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane, Morocco. In this capacity, he plays a pivotal role in overseeing the financial aspects of several European-funded projects, predominantly those associated with the Horizon 2020/Europe and Erasmus+, in addition to other national and international programs.