Al Akhawayn University of Ifrane (AUI) and CIH Bank launched the 2nd edition of Bankathon, a competition that brings together 60 students and 20 mentors to explore innovation in the banking field. This year, the central theme is the adoption of cashless solutions (dematerialized payments) to prepare Morocco for the challenges of the 2030 World Cup. Thanks to challenges based on artificial intelligence, participants are encouraged to propose innovative solutions in order to strengthen customer experience and financial inclusion.
AUI Vice President for Academic Affairs, Christopher Taylor, highlighted the importance of entrepreneurship for the future of young Moroccan graduates, in a context where 300,000 students complete their studies each year for only 100,000 job opportunities. . With 84% of its graduates obtaining employment at the end of their course, AUI aims to reach 90% in 2025 thanks to initiatives such as the Bankathon, which forge concrete links between students and the professional sector. Ismail Benmbarek, head of the Innovation Hub at CIH Bank, praised the success of the first edition, saying that this event brings students closer to the reality of the job market.
According to Nicolas Klotz, Executive Director of Entrepreneurship at AUI, the Bankathon helps participants strengthen their scientific and practical skills by confronting them with real-world challenges in the financial sector, including FinTech and digital transformation. The teams are supported by mentors from CIH Bank and AUI to develop solutions focused on AI and cashless, which helps prepare Moroccan students for the challenges of a constantly evolving market.
M.Ba.
Morocco
