Faced with the challenges of a constantly evolving economy, preparing students to enter the job market appears to be an essential priority. The Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation, Azzedine El Midaoui, stressed on Tuesday the importance of training competent and adaptable graduates, while modernizing university infrastructures to promote their development.
Responding to questions from parliamentarians during the weekly session held this Tuesday, December 31, 2024 in the Chamber of Advisors, El Midaoui affirmed that the professional world is rapidly changing, marked by the rise of artificial intelligence and new technologies. He thus pleaded for adapted training to ensure successful integration of graduates into the job market.
On the other hand, he emphasized the need for the development of university cities, aiming to increase not only the reception capacity to meet the needs of students, but also to improve the quality of infrastructure in order to promote their personal and academic development.
The integration of graduates into the job market requires student preparation
According to the minister, human capital is of crucial importance, constituting the cornerstone of development. It is not only about fueling the labor market, but also about shaping the citizen of tomorrow, intellectually and emotionally prepared to meet the challenges of the future. The problem of employment is fundamental, because the main indicator of the success of any educational or higher education system lies in the rate of integration of graduates into the job market, he indicated.
He thus affirmed that the situation within Moroccan universities and higher education appears relatively positive. However, it is imperative to evaluate academic institutions taking into account institutions with limited capacity, such as faculties of medicine, engineering and other specialties such as applied sciences.
In addition, El Midaoui mentioned a recent study carried out by the Higher Council for Education, Training and Scientific Research (CSEFRS), which revealed encouraging results, with around 70% of graduates entering the job market. Nevertheless, in a context where training is a dynamic and continuous process, each ministry must collaborate regularly with its partners to evaluate, reform and enrich the content, especially in a rapidly changing environment, marked by the emergence of artificial intelligence which threatens certain professions, he continued.
According to the manager, commitment is manifested at different scales, whether local, regional or national. “ At the ministry, we consider this process as a perpetual cycle, enriched by educational workbooks intended to optimize and develop university offerings. The involvement of socio-economic actors is already underway, with the development of various training programs in partnership with them. Furthermore, we are implementing training initiatives within the framework of agreements signed with several ministries, including those of Health, Education, Justice, Digital Transition and Industry.“, he explained.
And to add: “ We have established a process for evaluating the employment rate of students, with the prospect of an imminent deployment of career guidance offices. While some universities have already integrated this system, others have not yet implemented the national system intended for student entrepreneurs, which will also be generalized in order to ensure effective monitoring of the professional integration of university graduates, a initiative already underway in several establishments and which will be extended to others« .
Modernization of university campuses: A major challenge
El Midaoui said that there are three categories of university residences. “ We are committed to a process of renovation and modernization of old establishments, while also considering intermediate quality residences which require targeted improvements. Furthermore, we have set up new high-quality residences, such as those at the University of Kenitra and Taza, as well as extensions to the Nador university residence. Our projects are also progressing in the cities of Mohammedia and Al Hoceima, where we are continuing current operations“, revealed the minister.
In addition, the ministry has planned the construction of six new university residences in Béni Mellal, Taroudant, Larache, Oujda and Safi, representing a capacity of approximately 7,500 beds, the financing of which will be provided by the African Development Bank ( ADB). This initiative also aims to strengthen the supply of university accommodation while encouraging private initiatives in the sector.
In this context, the ministry has established 18 partnerships with various private investors for the creation of student residences, bringing the total capacity to 12,000 beds, including 8 already completed with a capacity of 6,400 beds. “ It is imperative to develop an innovative vision allowing the State to respond to the challenges linked to housing in collaboration with the private sector, through the establishment of new generation university residences, in synergy with different actors such as the regions, local councils and the private sector. This approach is fully part of the implementation of the advanced regionalization of our country, in terms of excellence“, noted El Midaoui.
And to conclude on this point: “ We are also actively working to modernize university spaces, particularly old establishments, in order to update them on all aspects related to health, culture and extracurricular activities, because these dimensions are essential and essential. As we have emphasized, students do not attend university only to acquire knowledge, but also to develop their critical thinking and assert their personality« .
