Prince Abdulaziz bin Talal Extends Gratitude to Moroccan Leadership and Announces: The Arab Open University Launches its 10th Campus in Morocco
His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Arab Open University (AOU), has officially announced the launch of the university’s new campus in the Kingdom of Morocco. This marks the tenth campus within the university's educational network across the Arab world. The announcement was made during the 45th meeting of the AOU Board of Trustees, held virtually with the participation of the council members.
His Royal Highness extended his highest gratitude and appreciation to His Majesty King Mohammed VI and the Moroccan government for the support and empowerment the university has received since its inception, up until the campus was fully prepared to welcome its first batch of students for the 2026-2027 academic year. He emphasized that the relevant government authorities and private sector institutions in Morocco, led by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, provided all necessary support and facilities that contributed to the completion of this ambitious Arab educational project.
"The opening of the university's tenth campus represents a new milestone in our journey to spread quality open higher education across the Arab world," said the Chairman of the Board of Trustees. "It embodies the vision of the university's founder, the late Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz—may God have mercy on him—who initiated this project in 1996 out of a firm belief that education is a right for all. He believed that access to quality university education should not be exclusive to a select few, but accessible to all segments of Arab society, especially those in greatest need. We thank God for enabling us to continue this mission and achieve a significant part of his aspirations."
His Highness added that Morocco's integration into the university's system reflects its scholarly and cultural prominence and strengthens the university's presence in North Africa. This expansion contributes to broader opportunities for flexible higher education and provides modern academic programs that meet the region's developmental and labor market requirements. He highlighted that the choice of Morocco is an extension of its historic role as a cradle of knowledge, being one of the first Arab and Islamic nations to establish higher education institutions—home to the University of Al-Qarawiyyin in Fez, one of the oldest universities in the world. Thus, the depth of Morocco’s scientific heritage meets the university’s mission to provide quality education to present and future generations.
His Highness concluded by thanking the members of the Board of Trustees for their distinguished efforts and contributions in supporting the university’s path and empowering it to fulfill its educational and developmental mission over the past twenty-four years.
For his part, H.E. Prof. Mohammad bin Ibrahim Al-Zakari, President of the Arab Open University, stated that the opening of the university in Morocco embodies the commitment to the developmental mission established by its founder. The goal is to equip students with the knowledge and skills that qualify them for the labor market through quality academic programs that meet market needs and contribute to sustainable development.
Dr. Al-Zakari added that the campus in Morocco will be open to all with tuition fees accessible to various segments of society. He expressed his hope that, God willing, it will become an educational hub serving learners in the African Sahel region, leveraging Morocco's strategic location and its deep-rooted civilizational and scientific presence on the African continent.
He invited students in Morocco to seize this opportunity and join a university designed specifically for them, with academic programs that are locally and internationally accredited in partnership with the oldest and most prestigious open university in the world. This will provide them with the quality education they deserve, allowing them to become part of the university community, which currently includes over 90,000 students and has seen more than 400,000 alumni join its ranks since operations began in 2002, all of whom have earned the recognition of employers both locally and internationally.
