The national platform “Morocco Digital University” (MUN) is a project dedicated to online courses (MOOC). The platform, the first of its kind in Morocco and Africa, aims to develop private small group online courses (SPOC).
The Ministry of National Education, Vocational Training, Higher Education and Scientific Research developed MUN in partnership with the French public interest group “GIP FUN-MOOC”. Both parties were present at the launch of MUN in Rabat, on July 12.
The project is part of the ministry’s efforts to generalize the use of information technologies in higher education. The use of MOOCs is intended to solve issues related to overcrowding in universities as well as the quality of training and insertion of young graduates into the workplace.
Speaking at the launch of the platform, Amzazi commented that,”this national project is capable of containing the overcrowding in Moroccan universities which host every year 250,000 new graduates.”
MUN is a bespoke program, adapted to the precise needs of higher education in Morocco. The platform is designed to promote cooperation between Moroccan and French universities in the field of joint distance education.
The MUN platform offers content in various fields: education and training, engineering sciences, computer science, economics and finance, basic sciences, health, languages, management, entrepreneurship, environment, human sciences, and law.
Minister of Education Said Amzazi co-chaired the platform’s official launch ceremony with his French counterpart, Frédérique Vidal. During the ceremony, Amzazi said that the “platform offers quality content that will be continuously consolidated in favor of the Francophone community in Morocco and Africa.”
In a statement to the media, Amzazi explained that MUN is based on modern pedagogy. Its aim is to offer students the opportunity to acquire new skills and better prepare their integration in the labor market.
The French Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, Frédérique Vidal, noted that “MUN is likely to help more people in particular situations such as people with disabilities or living far from cities to follow quality courses.”
“It is also a continuous training tool allowing everyone, including people with disabilities, to obtain a diploma, to carry out professional reconversions, or to consolidate their knowledge,” she added.
The French Minister’s participation in the ceremony comes as part of her working visit to Morocco. Accompanied by a delegation of high level academics, the minister’s visit is in line with the two countries’ efforts to strengthen cooperation in higher education and scientific research.