UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES AND UNIVERSITÉ INTERNATIONAL DE RABAT EMBARK ON ACADEMIC PARTNERSHIP

Photo from UIR website

27 June 2023 – The University of the Philippines - Diliman (UPD) and the Université International de Rabat (UIR) signed this month a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to develop academic cooperation and promote mutual understanding between the two universities.

The MOU specifically provides a framework for UPD and UIR to collaborate on research projects, conduct lectures and symposia, exchange of students, exchange of faculty, researchers, and other research and administrative staff, and to share relevant academic information and materials across different programs offered by both universities.

The MOU was signed by UPD Chancellor Edgardo Carlo L. Vistan II and UIR President Mr. Noureddine Mouaddib. This is the second agreement entered into by the UIR with Philippine educational institutions – the first one being a General Agreement with De La Salle College of Saint Benilde (DLS CSB) earlier this year.

The UIR, established in 2010 through the support of the Moroccan government, is under the supervision of the Ministry of Higher Education. It is the first public-private university in Morocco which is committed to support major development projects in the country including energy action plan, industrial growth, aerospace, automotive, logistics, sustainable development, digitization, and green initiatives through training, research, innovation, and technology transfer. The university curriculum is conducted in French and English with some programs taught mainly in English (i.e., business and aerospace programs). Approximately 6,000 students are currently enrolled in UIR, majority of them are Moroccans, with a few exchange students from African countries. Since its establishment in 2010, the UIR has developed 450 patents and has entered into partnerships with 140 universities in 28 countries on five continents. These partnerships focus on student and faculty mobility, research, and in some specific cases, double degrees.

As part of its work program, the Embassy is trying to facilitate more cooperation agreements between Philippine and Moroccan educational institutions to improve people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. The Philippines and Morocco are set to commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2025. END