Midawi: University Reform as a Gateway to Development and Employment Begins with Scientific Research
Follow-Up
Azeddine Midawi, Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation, stated that the Moroccan university needs profound reform to address the structural challenges hindering its development. Despite having significant human resources and competencies, he highlighted one of the main issues as the low number of graduates in engineering and doctoral fields. Currently, the number of registered doctoral students is around 40,000, while this figure should reach between 150,000 and 200,000 to meet Morocco’s needs.
The minister noted that the lack of quantity corresponds to a deficiency in quality, calling for a thorough review of the topics researched in Moroccan laboratories. He explained that scientific research has largely depended on individual efforts from faculty members due to the absence of clear institutional leadership. The lack of mentorship and support means researchers often work under difficult conditions without the minimum necessary resources to generate knowledge.
Midawi clarified that the issue is not only material but fundamentally revolves around a lack of organization and coordination, likening the injection of funds without structure to a football team with players of varying skill levels, lacking a coach to guide them towards achieving desired results.
The minister emphasized that restructuring and effectively organizing the higher education system is crucial for improving scientific output. He pointed out that advanced countries elevate their researchers based on precise criteria that encompass scientific production, number of citations, and projects linked to the socio-economic environment.
The government official referenced the rapid changes occurring globally, particularly with the rise of artificial intelligence, affirming that Morocco is not lagging in this area thanks to the youth’s adaptability to technology. However, there remains a pressing need to direct this development toward wealth creation.
Midawi affirmed that scientific research, technology transfer, and applied innovation are fundamental pillars for establishing a genuine economic revival, as seen in successful global examples such as Silicon Valley and various Asian nations. He stressed that competitiveness must be a priority for Moroccan enterprises, warning that failing to keep pace with developments could lead to their rapid obsolescence.
The minister highlighted that the university’s role should not only be to graduate students and integrate them into the job market but also to encourage them to generate knowledge and contribute to enhancing the competitiveness of both Moroccan and international enterprises. He considered that having strong scientific competencies is crucial to attract and stabilize foreign investments in Morocco.
Midawi pointed out that employment is tied to growth and investment, reminding that investment creates two types of job opportunities: basic jobs requiring limited training and advanced technological jobs requiring high skills and technology transfer, the approach followed by advanced nations.
The minister added that Morocco must enter this phase to train personnel capable of implementing technology transfer projects, subsequently moving towards full local industrial production. He confirmed that the ministry is working on developing training programs to provide talents that meet investor needs and market demands.
In closing, the minister underscored that the Moroccan university must prepare competencies capable of adapting to changes and contributing to building a competitive and sustainable economy, noting that the university’s role extends beyond addressing immediate needs towards cultivating a generation capable of constructing a robust and resilient economic future.
