Moroccan universities are still struggling to attract a sufficient number of scientists, a major challenge for strengthening their competitiveness and improving their position in global rankings.
According to the 2025 ranking of the AD Scientific Index, which evaluates the performance of universities and institutions based on the distribution of their scientists, Moroccan universities are showing progress, but still have to overcome several challenges to establish themselves in the academic landscape. global. This ranking takes into account the distribution of scientists according to various percentiles and includes more than 24,000 institutions around the world, with a distinction between public, private universities and other types of establishments.
At the national level, the Mohammed V University of Rabat stands out by occupying first place in Morocco, 23rd in Africa and 983rd globally. It is followed by the Cadi Ayyad University of Marrakech, ranked 37th in Africa and 1,314th in the world, and the Hassan II University of Casablanca, which reaches the 40th position in Africa and 1,373rd in the world. Other institutions, such as the Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University of Fez or the Ibn Zohr University of Agadir, are respectively placed in 49th and 69th position on the continent.
Despite these results which illustrate some progress, Moroccan universities remain faced with major obstacles. The report highlights in particular the need to increase investments in scientific research and to create a more attractive academic environment to attract international researchers and students. The disparity between institutions located in large cities and those in less developed regions is also a challenge, requiring a more equitable distribution of resources.
Furthermore, the African ranking is largely dominated by South African universities, closely followed by Egyptian institutions. This contrast highlights the urgency for Morocco to strengthen its competitiveness by focusing on applied sciences and technologies, key sectors to improve the position of Moroccan universities on a global scale.
-At the global level, the ranking is dominated by Harvard University, followed by the Universidad de São Paulo, the University of Michigan, Stanford University and the University of Oxford. These renowned institutions illustrate the academic excellence and competitiveness of leading universities in the scientific field.
Attracting more qualified scientists, whether Moroccan or foreign, represents a crucial issue for Moroccan universities. This involves efforts to improve infrastructure, increase funding for research projects and provide opportunities for international collaboration. Universities must also align with the country’s strategic priorities, focusing on promising areas, such as energy transition, health and technological innovation.
Finally, by increasing partnerships with renowned institutions abroad and strengthening their presence in international academic networks, Moroccan universities could become key players in the production and dissemination of knowledge, thus contributing to the sustainable development of Morocco. .
