Chapter 3 - OUR INSTITUTIONAL CULTURE

Despite its young age, Al Akhawayn University has been able to put in place an institutional culture, i.e. a series of references, values, and practices that characterize and federate its faculty, students and administrative and technical staff. Our culture is cement that unites and reinforces our feeling of belonging to this prestigious institution.

3.1 Our History

Our University is the incarnation of the dream of a great King of Morocco. The idea of this project had a thought long cherished by late Hassan II, but was long delayed due to the scarcity of means to make AUI a reality, until the day when destiny brought a foreign tanker to leave its threatening oil spill near Moroccan shores. The accident bore with it the omen of the darkest ecological threat the country had ever witnessed.

Then in a gesture of grand generosity, late King Fahd of Saudi Arabia was quick to demonstrate his solidarity with his brother King Hassan by immediately sending a 50 million dollar check to stand by his brother King of Morocco to save pristine shores from the dark shadow of pollution. Destiny had, however, chosen otherwise. Provident winds blew strong chasing the dark danger deep into the ocean never to be seen again.

The check, token of brotherhood, was by then between the hands of King Hassan II who asked his brother King Fahd what he wanted to be done with it. King Fahd asked his brother to use it for the accomplishment of the dream he had long cherished and build his long hoped for university modeled after the American style. Since that very moment a chain of events had started unraveling and the efforts of the two kings joined hands to give birth to the crown jewel of the Middle Atlas, the pearl of Moroccan institutions of higher education, the University of the Two Brothers: AL AKHAWAYN UNIVERSITY IN IFRANE (AUI).

Evident is the divine will in such a heavenly and breathtaking enterprise.

3.2 Our Mission

Operating under a Royal Charter, Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane (AUI) is a not-for-profit, Moroccan, state institution of higher education and research that is based on  the North American model of education and that uses English as the medium of instruction and administration. It enjoys academic, administrative and financial autonomy.
AUI prepares leaders to engage in the development of their country and the world through quality teaching, research, continuous and executive education, and service to the community. It attracts a fine body of national and international students, faculty and staff.
Rooted in the Moroccan and North African history and civilization, AUI actively promotes the international dimension of education.
AUI provides a state-of-the-art learning environment and develops partnerships with some of the best universities and private and public organizations, in Morocco and throughout the world.
AUI is committed to quality, cares about its students, faculty and staff, and upholds high academic and ethical standards and social responsibility.

3.3 Our Rituals

Four  major rituals characterize our yearly calendar and symbolize our mission:

• Registration days (when all the university is mobilized to welcome new and continuing students)
• The Graduation Ceremony
• The Fun Run (a day symbolizing the ongoing solidarity undertaken by the students for the benefit of the needy of the region).
• The Job Fair (organized by the Alumni Association for the benefit of the graduating students)

3.4 Our Symbols

• The green and red logo of AUI
• Our motto: Excellence & Identity
• Our white flag with the AUI logo at the center
• Our institutional colors, those of our logo (the red of the tiles, the earth and that of our national flag, and the green of the oak tree, of the grass of Ifrane and that of our national flag).

Our culture acquires its meaning thanks to its coherence, adaptability, evolution and acceptance by all, with a view to building a pleasant and efficient work atmosphere.