–
Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane (AUI) said it had undertaken a series of actions to support its students stranded abroad, due to the Covid pandemic, 19 so that their stay is spent in the best possible conditions. At the start of the spring semester, 100 UAI students were outside Morocco as part of exchange programs with 36 of the 400 foreign partner universities. With the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic, many of these students were able to reach their country. However, the majority of them were stranded abroad.
“Al Akhawayn has been in constant contact with its students and their families since the start of the crisis,” said UAI in a statement, noting that in coordination with the embassies concerned, which have demonstrated “availability and a flawless commitment ”, the university ensured that the validity of the visas of its students, especially those in Europe and the United States, were extended beyond the initial validity which only covered their stay of studies.
–
Al Akhawayn also contacted the European immigration services so that some of these students could move within the Schengen area to join family members or acquaintances. In view of the excellence of the leading universities and foreign universities – such as ESSEC Business School in Paris, The University of Texas at Austin, Washington College or Boston College – as well as the strong and long-standing partnerships that bind them At Al Akhawayn, these institutions have shown great generosity towards students, ” added the same source. Students were thus allowed to stay in dormitories on university campuses even after the end of the study semester. In the event that the host university did not have dormitories or when these were closed for the summer, coordination between AUI and its partners was ensured in order to cover the accommodation of students in hotels or accommodation private.
–
Al Akhawayn says he maintains a “ permanent contact ” with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and MRE, as well as the various embassies of Morocco abroad, to guarantee the planning of his students in the list of repatriations . In addition, around twenty students, notably from Denmark, Mexico, Italy, the United States and Afghanistan, remained stranded in Morocco. Al Akhawayn supported them on its campus in Ifrane until June 15, and continued to offer access beyond this date, for those who still could not return to their country.
–
–
