UM6P to host the QS Africa Forum in Rabat, in partnership with QS World University Rankings

Rabat will welcome leaders of universities from over 30 countries in Africa and beyond at the QS Africa Forum from 1-2 September 2022, which is organised by the UK-based educational agency – QS Quacquarelli Symonds, in partnership with Mohammed VI Polytechnic University of Morocco. The forum is organised under the theme of Building Brand Africa in Higher Education – Strengths and Opportunities to Reimagine Futures. The speakers and delegates will deliberate on the positive inspiring stories about higher education in the continent, showcasing the latent potential and relaying a positive narrative, with examples of best practices for the present and future.

Announcing the event, Dr Ashwin Fernandes, regional director of QS for Africa and the forum convenor said “Africa has the youngest population and the fastest growing middle class in the world, particularly in the sub-Saharan region. This has led to unprecedented growth in the demand for quality higher education, which is set to continue until 2050 and beyond. Bringing our thought leadership platform to the region at this appropriate time will help shape the strategies which will be adopted by leaders in capacity building and future planning”.

“Based on evidence from QS proprietary data, it is clear that there are examples of academic excellence in the region which deserve to be showcased. These success stories can serve as a foundation to shape a present and future Brand Africa in Higher Education”, said the forum chairperson, Ms Veronica Omeni. 

“At Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, our founding mission of promoting education, research and innovation finds its roots in a conviction that academia is a force for development on all fronts. Now more than ever, Africa’s higher education is called upon to accompany the continent’s endless potential through empowering its youth. Such promising potential warrants the establishment of a Brand Africa in higher education. We are delighted to see QS Quacquarelli Symonds partner with us in that endeavour,” said Mr. Hicham El Habti, President of Mohammed VI Polytechnic University.

The forum’s exclusive opening will cover QS’s data metrics and a behind the scenes look at various QS methods and procedures on September 1st 2022, while the forum itself will take place on September 2nd 2022. The forum will be inaugurated by H.E. Dr Abdellatif Miraoui, Morocco’s Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation, in the distinguished presence of Prof Olusola B Oyewole, Secretary-General, Association of African Universities (AAU) and Prof Amr Ezzat Salama, Secretary-General, Association of Arab Universities (AArU).