Cadi Ayyad University Research Articles

Learning via MOOCs during the COVID 19 pandemic : perceptions of students and teachers at Cadi Ayyad University, Morocco

Learning via MOOCs during the COVID 19 pandemic : perceptions of students and teachers at Cadi Ayyad University, Morocco

Assessment of Moroccan Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil: Chemical Analysis and Evaluation of Antioxidant, Toxicological, and Antinociceptive Effects.

Assessment of Moroccan Cannabis sativa Seed Oil: Chemical Analysis and Evaluation of Antioxidant, Toxicological, and Antinociceptive Effects. by K. Raoui et al., Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech, Morocco. Cannabis sativa L., locally known as "El kif", belongs to the Cannabaceae family. This study aims to conduct a chemical analysis of Cannabis sativa seed oil (CSSO) and assess its acute toxicity, antioxidant properties, and analgesic effects. The chemical analysis was performed using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to identify fatty acids (FAs) contents. Antioxidant activity was evaluated in vitro using the (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) DPPH radical scavenging method and the (ferric reducing antioxidant power) FRAP method. Concurrently, acute toxicity, along with antinociceptive activity, was studied through three distinct animal models: writhing test, formalin test, and hot plate test. The results revealed that linoleic acid, oleic acid, α-linolenic acid, and palmitic acid were the main components of CSSO. The LD50 of CSSO was greater than 5 g/kg, indicating low toxicity. Additionally, CSSO exhibited a significant content of flavonoids and total polyphenols, along with notable antioxidant activity with important values. The results indicated a significant increase in thermal stimulus latency, a reduction in the number of writhes induced by acetic acid, and a decrease in licking time in both phases of the formalin test. In conclusion, this study suggests promising results for CSSO, emphasizing its potential as a therapeutic agent.

From Education to Employment: Developing Soft Skills and Employability.Case of Cadi Ayyad University Career Center

From Education to Employment: Developing Soft Skills and Employability.Case of Cadi Ayyad University Career Center

Enhancing Students’ intercultural competences through University Academic Training

The present paper aims to exhibit the benefit of intercultural educational courses in enhancing University students’ global understanding, tolerance, and inclusive social engagement. The paper displays the academic description, objectives, and implementation of the practices of the intercultural educational courses. The courses are inserted as major modules in undergraduate college studies. The case study analyzed within this experiment relates to the module entitled “Intercultural Communication”, which is part of a program that runs over three years entitled “Applied Languages in Culture” at Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech, Morocco. The paper analyses quantitatively and qualitatively the attitudes and performances of undergraduate students having trained in how to succeed in communication in extreme intercultural contexts where different religions, traditions, and beliefs are encountered. Homework tasks, tests, exams, cultural exchange, and student-oriented surveys are analyzed and studied. The results produced by the immersion of intercultural courses in the university academic programs reveal that the graduated students succeed not only in being well integrated in their own cultural community but also in raising their chances of being hired in touristic companies where people from different cultures meet and interact. Such is the case of the graduates in intercultural communication taking place in Marrakech, which is a highly renowned touristic city.

Factors Affecting Student Retention: A Complex-Systemic Study of EFL Students at Cadi Ayyad University

In order to shed light on the problem of student retention (a university's ability to retain its students), this paper analyzes the implementation of complexity theory in Moroccan universities. Tinto's (1975) Student Integration model served as its main reference. Through the lenses of nestedness and networked interactions, we examine the case of the English department at the factors affecting student retention at the English department and (b) build a model that will serve as an example for student retention there. In order to address the topic at hand, the study conceptualizes student retention as an emergent phenomenon brought on by component and agent interaction in a complex system. Data was gathered from freshmen English department students. EFA (exploratory factor analysis) and correlations were used to analyze the quantitative data. Statistically significant findings supported three of the five hypotheses. According to the research, four variables from the initial model were revealed by the EFA. The following variables are: (1) Initial goal and institutional commitment; (2) Social integration; (3) Family background; and (4) Academic integration. In a nutshell, this paper seeks to investigate how complexity perspectives might be used to construct student retention models that will guide institutional decision-making at Moroccan universities.

Quality approach towards ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation at the center of analysis and characterization of Marrakesh Cadi Ayyad University: metrology stakes

In the context of the European Tempus project “Quality in Higher Agricultural Education in the Mediterranean (QESAMED)”, Analysis and Characterization Center of Cadi Ayyad University has committed to implement a quality approach according to the ISO/IEC 17025 standard. The first objective was to accredit the testing carried out in the microbiology laboratory in response to strong demand from the food industry in the Marrakesh region. The process began with an initial assessment of the center activities to identify the main gaps from ISO/IEC 17025. The range of laboratory and standard testing to be accredited were determined and an appropriate action plan was established. After that, a staff training was programmed to improve their skills in relation to this standard and metrology concepts. Implementation of the metrology function is one of the key steps for the deployment of the continuous improvement process. This function guarantees the traceability of measurements and the reliability of microbiological testing results. Several actions have been carried out, including: (i) identification of critical quantities and associated metrological requirements, (ii) checking of the metrological consistency of equipment through the calculation of the capability coefficient. The management of equipment requires several steps, from receipt of the equipment to its decommissioning or reform: (i) identification of the equipment, (ii) creation of equipment files, (iii) performance of calibration, verification, and maintenance operations. Ultimately, the definition of a strategy ensuring metrological traceability will optimize management costs by taking into account the structural constraints linked to the organization of metrology on a national scale.

Newly Proposed Student Performance Indicators Based on Learning Analytics for Continuous Monitoring in Learning Management Systems

E-learning platforms have become increasingly popular across various industries, with higher education institutions being among the primary adopters. Learning management systems (LMSs) have emerged as valuable tools that facilitate the management of learning and training processes while providing support for learning administration. However, LMS platforms often offer limited functionality for monitoring students’ instructional progress, which is essential for understanding how learners interact with courses and materials. As a result, identifying at-risk students, tracking their progress, and intervening when necessary can be challenging. The substantial amount of data generated by LMS platforms can be transformed into meaningful indicators that allow for monitoring learners’ progress and enhancing their self-regulation. Our research project focuses on developing a set of pedagogical indicators using learning analytics to monitor students’ progress. We present a case study where we tracked and monitored the progress of students in the Web Technologies course on the e-campus platform at Cadi Ayyad University (Morocco), using a set of student performance indicators (SPIs). The findings of this study suggest that employing SPIs can help faculty members identify underperforming students, project their progress, and anticipate those at risk, ultimately enabling them to provide timely interventions to support learners’ progress.

OER as a certain solution for uncertain times: A reflection on the initiatives undertaken in Morocco during the covid-19 period

The COVID-19 pandemic has generated a high degree of uncertainty about the state of education. During this critical period, the entire educational landscape was in need of relevant educational resources that could be shared between and within educational networks. In this regard, open educational resources (OER) and open educational practices (OEP) have played an important role in ensuring educational continuity. Research has shown that open approaches will help make the higher education ecosystem more resilient to future crises and the sustainability of this ecosystem can be fueled by the widespread use of OER and OEP. However, additional work is still needed in this area either at the personal, organizational, or institutional level. In this paper, we discuss the potential of OER and OEP, as certain solutions, to improve quality and widen access in uncertain times such as the COVID-19 crisis, we also present an analysis from an OER perspective of the initiatives undertaken at the Cadi Ayyad University (UCA) in Morocco as example in order to assess the extent to which they can be considered as OER. On the other hand, we highlight the benefits of this experience, as well as identify the barriers that hinder the adoption of open solutions in order to propose some recommendations and guidelines to foster the implementation of these solutions.

Reviewer Acknowledgements for Journal of Education and Training, Vol. 10, No. 1

Journal of Education and Training (JET) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether JET publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue.Reviewers for Volume 10, Number 1 Bryan Spiegelberg, Rider University, USACarolyn Stevenson, Kaplan University, USAJabrane Amaghouss, Cadi Ayyad University, MoroccoJohn Cowan, Edinburgh Napier University, ScotlandMaria Jose Hernandez Serrano, University of Salamanca, SpainMonica B. Glina, University of Oslo, NorwayMontasser M. AbdelWahab Mahmoud, Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal Univ., Saudi ArabiaPaola Molteni, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore di Milano, ItalyRania Elsayed Ibrahim, National Authority for Remote Sensing and Space Sciences, Egypt Dora WangEditorial AssistantJournal of Education and TrainingMacrothink Institute-----------------------------------------5348 Vegas Dr.#825Las VegasNevada 89108United StatesPhone: 1-702-953-1852 ext.534E-mail 1: jet@macrothink.orgE-mail 2: jet@macrothink.comWebsite: http://jet.macrothink.org

Cloud Computing Technology and PBL Teaching Approach for a Qualitative Education in Line with SDG4

This paper explores teaching–learning models in this period of the COVID-19 pandemic at Cadi Ayyad University (UCA). It investigates success conditions for e-learning quality education in higher education in line with SDG4, the 4th Sustainable Development Goal: “Ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning”. This paper demonstrates that an approach of technology alongside teaching could positively impact academic teaching–learning in higher educational systems, leading to an approach focused on humans that aims to cultivate critical thinking, knowledge creation, argumentation, and creativity. This paper concludes with a proposed machine learning model to predict contribution factors to student learning success.

PP303 [Heart » Heart]: CORRELATION BETWEEN CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE AND ABNORMAL SATURATION

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Mohammed VI University Hospital, Marrakech, Morocco. Child Health and Development Research Laboratory, FMPM, Cadi Ayyad University,Marrakech, Morocco

PP276 [Family Care » Parent diaries in the PICU]: EXPERIENCES AND FELT BY FIRST-TIME MOTHERS DURING HOSPITALIZATION IN NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Mohammed VI University Hospital, Marrakech, Morocco.Child Health and Development Research Laboratory, FMPM, Cadi Ayyad University,Marrakech, Morocco

Inclusive policies and practices in university education; Institutionalization for Sustainability: The Center for Inclusive Education and Social Responsibility at Cadi Ayyad University as a model

In this research paper entitled Inclusive Policies and Practices in University Education; Institutionalization for Sustainability: The Center for Inclusive Education and Social Responsibility at Cadi Ayyad University as a model We will present a fieldwork experience of the Center for Inclusive Education and Social Responsibility “CEIRS” at Cadi Ayyad University in Marrakech, in the context of exchanging and reviewing fieldwork experiences in education, which sought to enable students in special situations and students with disabilities to have their right to higher education in appropriate conditions, By simplifying their access, ensuring their integration and facilitating their success; triggering mechanisms to follow up with them. And working to reform the pedagogical and administrative frameworks to receive and accompany them and to develop methods of teaching and assessment appropriate to their needs while continuing to create pathways for training and development of research projects in this field. Key words: students with disabilities, inclusive education, social responsibility.

Microcomputer-Based Laboratory Role in Developing Students’ Conceptual Understanding in Chemistry: Case of Acid–Base Titration

For the past five years, all Moroccan universities suspended practical work activities in the subject of chemistry for the first year due to a decision made by the Ministry of Higher Education. This study explores the effect of using a Microcomputer-Based Laboratory (MBL) on students’ performance and investigates the desirability to convert first-year university-level practicals in chemistry from experimental demonstrations in lectures to the MBL. The study sample comprised 100 students attending the first year at the faculty of sciences of the Cadi Ayyad University (UCA) in Morocco. Students in the experimental group (N = 50) received a 1 h active engagement tutorial on acid–base titration using a microcomputer-based laboratory, in contrast to the control group (N = 50) who received the same instruction with a demonstration of the experiment. The experimental and control groups got randomly selected, and the same instructor trained both groups. The two groups of responders were compared based on their performance in a written exam that assesses the skills of processing, analyzing, and interpreting qualitative and quantitative experimental results of acid–base titration. As a result, the analysis of the obtained results showed that the experimental group performed significantly better in using appropriate mathematical skills for quantitative data analysis; and they were actively engaged in the acid–base titration experiment. The obtained results, together with similar findings from other studies, indicate the positive impact of using MBL on learning outcomes and support the adoption of the proposed learning environment in laboratory educational procedures as an alternative to traditional laboratories.

Marketing Practices In Higher Education: The case of the Cadi Ayyad University of Marrakech in Morocco

Marketing Practices In Higher Education: The case of the Cadi Ayyad University of Marrakech in Morocco

The Impact of Remote Education on University Students at Cadi Ayyad University in Morocco: Situation and perceptions

This study analyzes the impact of remote education on the students of open-access institutions affiliated with Cadi Ayyad University in Marrakech, Morocco. This study is based on the collection of qualitative and quantitative data from questionnaires answered by 1760 students, 193 professors and 51 administrative executives. To ensure a better understanding of the impacts of the pandemic on a context afflicted by vulnerability, this study chooses four focal points to its analysis of remote education’s impact on the aforementioned population: Perceptions, Costs, Student Experience and Attendance. In so doing, this study encourages the production of scholarship on educational experiences in times of crisis in Global South countries. Keywords: Remote Education; Lockdown; Higher-Education; UCA. eISSN: 2398-4287 © 2022. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians/Africans/Arabians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v7i19.3195

Neuroscience research in Africa, state of the art, challenges and solutions

Nowadays, behind the most developed and modern societies are the most advanced research centres. Indeed, one of the main pillars of a society’s development is scientific research. More specifically, medical research. In the world, Africa is a huge continent made up of developing countries. The research field is growing, especially the medical one. In order to makeresearch, collaboration is a necessity. It may be between different fields, different cities or even different countries, but it always has the same goal: to allow the research to be carried out. The goal of our work is to show how the research and the collaboration in neuroscience takes place in Africa, and how it is possible to improve it. Our work has been built on two axes: On the one hand, we showed the current status of the research and collaboration in Africa. We made a literature review, using: Two decades of neuroscience publication trends in Africa, Neuroscience research in Africa: Current status. Showing the medical research status in Africa between 2003 and 2013, the publications in African countries between 1996 and 2017, and the collaboration between different fields between 1996 and 2017. One the other hand, we made a survey to analysethe difficulties and limitations of medical research in Africa, based on its health professionals experiences. Indeed, research is being undertaken, the results are not as brilliant as those obtained in other countries. And in order to find this limitant factor, we made up a questionnaire which was sent to different neuroscientists in Africa. In our Cadi Ayyad University, we found upto 10th October 2021: 12956 published documents in the whole institution, and 10292 Documents in affiliated institutions. The first domain of research field was dominated by physics & astronomy (1141: 14.5%), followed by engineering (2077: 11.6%), followed by engineering (2077: 11.6%), then mathematics (1857: 10.4%), Medicine came in 9th position (1011: 5.7%), and few neuroscience (only with 118 papers).

4 - The Use of Social Science Research by Environmental NGOs in Africa: Evidence from Morocco


 
 
 The literature on the use of research is both rich and varied. Yet, little is known about the use of available social research by environmental NGOs in the African context. This paper aims at contributing to the debate on this issue from the perspective of Moroccan civil society. In order to achieve this objective, we have analysed the results of a survey conducted among a sample of Moroccan NGOs working in environmental protection. Overall, it seems that a relatively large proportion of surveyed environmental NGOs receive and understand social research findings, but the process remains incomplete, as the use of these findings tends to diminish during the adoption stage and especially during the decision-influencing stage. Moreover, this conclusion must be regarded cautiously, given the confusion that arises from the lack of distinction between research and consulting activities. Finally, PLS regression reveals that the use of social science research by Moroccan environmental NGOs is influenced by three main factors: research adaptation effort, relational proximity between researchers and users, and the NGO director’s employment status.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Brahim El Morchid, Department of Economics, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech. Email: b.elmorchid@uca.ma
 Hind Hourmat Allah, Department of Management,Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech. Email: h.hourmatallah@uca.ma
 
 

Governance of the Digital Transformation in Moroccan Universities: Case Study of Cadi Ayyad University-Marrakech

For the past few years, digital transformation, digital revolution, and technological upheaval have become the main keywords in the management of all types of organizations. The current crisis of the Covid-19 has increased the interest of managers and decision makers for digital transformation, especially in public administrations and institutions. This strategic and operational dimension of digital requires good governance to ensure this transition achieves the desired objectives. At this point, we would like to remind you that governance is the set of best practices to be implemented by all the stakeholders of a company to ensure that the company's information system complies with regulations and, above all, that it performs well in terms of value creation. This paper aims to understand the governance of the digital transformation of Moroccan universities by relying on the results of a qualitative study conducted among the actors of Cadi Ayyad University as a unit of our analysis. By relying on an inductive approach through semi-structured interviews with decision-makers at the university and institutions, managers of operational user centers, researcher-teachers, and of course students, who are the focus of interest and the reason for the university's existence. This exploratory work aims to highlight the challenges of digitalization; It also shows, the expected objectives; the current results and the associated risks. It is a preliminary step for future work on the determining factors of the digital transition within Moroccan universities, based on a quantitative approach with 12 universities.

The Implementation of Deep Reinforcement Learning in E-Learning and Distance Learning: Remote Practical Work

The world has seen major developments in the field of e-learning and distance learning, especially during the COVID-19 crisis, which revealed the importance of these two types of education and the fruitful benefits they have offered in a group of countries, especially those that have excellent infrastructure. At the Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University Marrakech, Morocco, we have created a simple electronic platform for remote practical work (RPW), and its results have been good in terms of student interaction and even facilitating the employment of a professor. The objective of this work is to propose a recommendation system based on deep quality-learning networks (DQNs) to recommend and direct students in advance of doing the RPW according to their skills of each mouse or keyboard click per student. We are focusing on this technology because it has strong, tremendous visibility and problem-solving ability that we will demonstrate in the result section. Our platform has enabled us to collect a range of students’ and teachers’ information and their interactions with the learning content we will rely on as inputs (a large number of images per second for each mouse or keyboard click per student) into our new system for output (doing the RPW). This technique is reflected in an attempt to embody the virtual teacher’s image within the platform and then adequately trained with DQN technology to perform the RPW.