High standards, scarce slots push Moroccan students abroad
2009-11-26
Facing tough competition for places in university programmes, Moroccans are looking to foreign institutions to pursue their higher education.
By Siham Ali for Magharebia in Rabat – 26/11/09
 [Abdelhak Senna/AFP/Getty Images] Two-thirds of university-bound Moroccans plan to study abroad. |
High admission standards and limited enrolment capacity in Morocco's best universities are leading many baccalaureate holders to venture abroad for their studies, according to a study released at the 26th International Population Conference in Marrakech.
Researchers found that two-thirds of Moroccans with the goal of pursuing university degrees plan to study abroad, and 35% said they were already taking steps in that direction.
In comparison with other countries, Morocco has a high percentage of young people studying abroad, according to the study, which was released at the September 27th-October 2nd conference.
Students attribute the outflow to strict entry quotas for Morocco's more elite programmes and institutions.
"So many people find they are excluded, even though they have huge ambitions," said Samira Serrati, who holds a baccalaureate and hopes to study journalism. Serrati planned to study at the Higher Institute for Information and Communication (ISIC), but came up against the obstacle of quotas.
Instead, she'll head to Tunisia next year to follow her dream of becoming a journalist, like many of her friends before her.
"Some of my school friends who couldn't get into the ISIC are studying in Tunisia, and so they'll make their dreams come true," she said.
The tough in-country competition is forcing students who have yet to complete their baccalaureate studies to plan ahead.
Fadoua Mourabiti, who hopes to study medicine, said her main concern this year is turning in an excellent academic performance in order to be accepted to med school. Mourabiti wants to stay in Morocco, but understands that selection criteria might mean she will have to go elsewhere to pursue her studies.
"If I don't manage to achieve this goal, I'll go abroad," she said, though she acknowledges that her parents could not afford it. "We have already agreed. My father will take out a loan to secure my future and allow me to develop a career in the field I love."
Officials are responding to students' calls to make more university slots available. According to Morocco's general secretary for higher education, Abdelhafid Debbagh, the enrolment capacity of programmes and universities is increasing each year.
"We are working to raise the numbers," he said. "In those faculties where places are still limited, we are resorting to competitive entrance examinations for reasons of fairness. In faculties of medicine, we are increasing the number of places more and more."
Debbagh said the intake capacity for engineering programmes doubled between 2006 and 2010, while the national emergency plan to reform education aims to increase the number of places in science and technology programmes by 2-3%.
The general secretary also noted that business and management programmes will be taking in 50% more candidates than they have previously.
Debbagh acknowledged that several candidates who were successful in entrance examinations both in Morocco and abroad had chosen to study overseas for personal reasons.
Email to a friend
Print version
Elmahdi Oummih Posted 2009-11-26
It is important that we as Moroccans do everything that we can do to fight the brain drain. Most of the students that leave Morocco for University Studies do not return. This is a simple fact. Fortunately, there is a scholarship that is available for students who want to gain admission to top notch Universities outside of Morocco and then return to Morocco. It is called the African Leadership Academy Scholarship. The African Leadership Academy was created in large part to fight the scourge known as the brain drain. Africa's most valuable commodity is its young men and women. It is because the best and brightest leave Africa and benefit 1st world nations, that Africa finds its growth dramatically stunted. Do a google search on the African Leadership Academy and send in an application. The application process is free and can be done completely online. If you are a student between the ages of 16 and 19 or know students between the ages of 16 and 19 that you believe possess leadership skills, you should let them know about the African Leadership Academy. One of the ALA's students was recently interviewed on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and the Good Morning America Show. It would be great to see Moroccan, Algerian, Tunisian and Mauritanian kids gaining bringing pride back to their respective countries. The first step is to fill out an application. The application deadline is fast approaching, so people should take advantage of this Eid holiday to give the young people they know the greatest gift of all, access to a top notch education.
Anonymous Posted 2009-11-27
Poor Samira Serrati! If you really want to study journalism, avoid doing so in Tunisia like the plague. In Tunisia, journalism leads to prison. The case of Ben Brik is there to prove it. If you have any doubt, get acquainted with the Tunisian media. But beware if you are allergic to the cult of personality. In Tunisia, a journalist is a functionary with a box of shoe polish and brush; he spends his time shining the boots of you know who. (If you are inclined towards journalism, then you should have guessed the name.)
We welcome your comments on Magharebia's articles.
It is our hope that you will use this forum to interact with other readers across the Maghreb. In order to keep this experience interesting, we ask you to follow the rules outlined in the comments policy. By submitting comments, you are consenting to these rules. While Magharebia.com encourages discussion on all subjects, including sensitive ones, the comments posted are solely the views of those submitting them. Magharebia.com does not necessarily endorse or agree with the ideas, views, or opinions voiced in these comments. This is a moderated forum. Comments deemed abusive, offensive, or those containing profanity may not be published.
Magharebia's Comments Policy