Sghrouchni: Digital Transformation is Not a Luxury.. and 80% of Professions Are at Risk of Extinction
Follow-up
Amal Al-Falih Sghrouchni, Minister of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, affirmed that "digital transformations are redefining traditional professions, altering economies, and impacting lifestyles." She described "The University of Knowledge" as a bridge connecting the academic world, society, and the ongoing digital transformation.
In her speech at the launch of the "New University of Knowledge" on Monday morning at the Higher Institute of Business Studies (HEM) in Rabat, Al-Falih emphasized that "we are living in an era of rapid transformations driven by the digital revolution, artificial intelligence, and ongoing social and generational dynamics." She pointed out that "in the face of these disruptions, equitable access to knowledge and understanding contemporary challenges is vital; it is a fundamental right and duty, and above all, a means of pushing for sustainable development."
The government official described the digital transformation as profoundly changing our societies, economies, and lifestyles, necessitating much more than mere technological adaptation. She commented that it requires a new understanding of the world. Specifically, digitization lies at the heart of this transformation and transition, reshaping how we work, learn, produce, and communicate, while also redefining professions, skills, and even our relationship with the world. For this transformation to become a source of progress and inclusivity, it is essential to train, educate, and engage the entire community.
Al-Falih noted that over 80% of traditional professions will be replaced by artificial intelligence in the future, mentioning that most jobs will disappear in developing countries in the Global South, compared to the emergence of new professions in developed countries that can keep pace with digital transformations and innovate while providing added value relative to modern digital tools.
Regarding the launch of the "New University of Knowledge," she highlighted that "this project, which embodies exemplary cooperation among various national and international institutions, represents an ambitious and necessary response to the changes our world and country are witnessing."
Sghrouchni called for democratizing knowledge, fostering intergenerational openness, and integrating disciplines while rallying collective efforts around the major challenges of the future, stressing that "the New University of Knowledge" is not merely a response to the acceleration of technological changes; it is, as she put it, a bridge connecting the academic world, society, and the ongoing digital transformation."
Through this initiative, the Minister of Digital Transition added that "universities should become active participants in the digital transformation, not just consumers of technology, but as critical, inclusive, and creative forces." She continued: "The mission of universities today is to educate not only in digital skills but also in ethical reasoning, complex thinking, and digital citizenship, because knowing how to code is a skill, but understanding why and for whom we code is a responsibility."
She noted that "in this spirit, the ‘New University of Knowledge’ serves as an open and inclusive space committed to bringing together researchers, students, citizens, and institutions around a common goal: giving meaning to digital transformation by valuing interdisciplinary and critical knowledge."
She emphasized that "this initiative strengthens the role of universities as key active elements in change, through which an enlightened digital citizenship is built capable not only of mastering tools but also of questioning goals, uses, and impacts on humanity and society."
Sghrouchni called for this initiative to inspire other innovative educational models throughout the country and contribute to building an enlightened digital citizenship capable of addressing challenges and seizing the exceptional opportunities provided by the digital era.
Partnership with Four Public Universities
In the presence of the Minister of Digital Transition, the Higher School of Management "HEM" and the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) launched a joint project called the "New University of Knowledge." This initiative aims to enhance access to emerging knowledge in light of rapid technological, environmental, and social transformations on a global scale.
The school hosted the first seminar of this project, bringing together numerous academic and intellectual figures. This project was developed in partnership between "HEM" and ISESCO, with support from the French Institute in Morocco and the Heinrich Böll Foundation. It is based on collaboration with four public Moroccan universities: Mohammed V University in Rabat, Hassan II University in Casablanca, Hassan I University in Settat, and Ibn Tofail University in Kenitra.
A series of free and open seminars will be organized from May 20 to June 26, inviting students, professors, professionals, retirees, and all citizens interested in understanding the transformations of the era. These meetings will cover a range of topics such as digital transformation, artificial intelligence, social changes, climate change, and the future of work.
The seminars will feature a selection of thinkers and experts from Morocco and abroad, including Zakaria Abou Dhab, Nadia Al-Alaoui Al-Hashimi, Frédéric Ansell, Dominique Bourg, Hamid Bouchikhi, Salima Al-Munajjara, Manal Al-Abaybi, and French thinker Thierry Fabre, among others.
The meetings will take place at several academic institutions, with Hassan II University in Casablanca hosting seminars at the Mohammed Skat University Library, while the Rabat events will be held at the Faculty of Legal, Economic, and Social Sciences of Mohammed V University. The Kenitra seminars will be conducted at the National School of Commerce and Management under Ibn Tofail University, while Hassan I University in Settat will host sessions at its National School of Commerce and Management.
The program will conclude at the ISESCO headquarters in Rabat, where certificates of participation will be awarded to the most committed participants. This initiative underscores the commitment of both institutions to their roles in supporting sustainable social transformation and enhancing corporate social responsibility.
