Moroccan University Research Articles

Moroccan Higher Education in Times of Crisis: a Phenomenographical Analysis of Teachers Experiences with Emergency Remote Teaching

With the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, Emergency Remote Teaching (ERT) has abruptly become the mainstream activity in higher education institutions globally. While, in such turbulent times, this mode of instruction has unarguably imposed itself as a lifeline for education continuity, serious concerns remain about faculty preparedness for this massive shift, especially in educational context where online teaching is still in its embryonic stage. This paper reports on a phenomenographical study examining Moroccan university teachers’ experience with ERT and its impact and implications on their instructional quality and post-pandemic practice. Data were collected, using focus group discussions, from a purposive sample involving 36 university teachers from four higher education institutions. Despite some variance in the respondents’ experiences, the findings clearly indicate that teachers were prematurely immersed in online teaching with very little institutional supportive action. Based on the data, teachers faced various and overwhelming challenges significantly hampering their overall online pedagogical responsiveness. Importantly, teachers’ experience with ERT has not exposed their urgent need for professional development in the area of online delivery, but also triggered major changes in their mindset especially in relation to post-pandemic technological acceptance and use.

Public Relations: A Tool for Scaffolding Effective Communication Between Moroccan University Professors and Higher Education Administrators

The present study investigates how Public Relations can upgrade effective communication between university professors and higher education administrators. The data was collected through a questionnaire handed out to 135 Moroccan university professors and administrators operating in more than 10 Moroccan public higher institutions. This study aims to show the importance of public relations communication as a propitious tool conducive to quality in higher education. The results of this study corroborate that the Moroccan university professors ’interaction with higher education administration is mainly compatible with some elements of public relations communication. The results also show that Moroccan university professors and higher education administrators are aware of the positive impact of effective communication on the university’s reputation and the good functioning of the teaching and scientific research at the tertiary level. The findings also reveal some aspects that hinder effective communication between university professors and administrators.

Development of Moroccan University Students’ Intercultural Competence -Department of English Studies

This article attempts to analyze the development of intercultural communicative competence in Moroccan universities to identify whether the pedagogy administered by teachers and educators caters to the intercultural competence goals and teaching objectives and whether students manage to develop their competencies over their undergraduate program. The researcher conducts questionnaires with 875 university students from three different English departments in three different universities and 40 observation classes. Besides, investigations are implemented on the curriculum content, the materials, and the teaching strategies involved in developing intercultural competence. Findings generated from data demonstrate that most Moroccan university students partly develop their intercultural competence from S2 to S6 on particular intercultural components, including attitudes, skills, and values. Conclusions attest that more efforts are to be considered by policymakers and educators to rethink the factors halting this development and design more advanced strategies and syllabi that contribute to the improvement of all intercultural components central to adequate and appropriate foreign communications.

Big data based architecture to bringing together graduates and recruiters: case of Moroccan University

<span lang="EN-US">Due to the current health crisis caused by covid 19, <span>a negative impact has occurred on the global economy and more specifically on employability. Many people have lost their jobs or have seen their incomes drop. Nowadays, the search for job offers or potential candidates is done mainly online, where several platforms already exist (LinkedIn, Viadeo or others online recruitment systems). These solutions are particularly difficult to use due to the volume of data to be found and the manual compatibility check. In addition, the surplus of unqualified candidates and unverified resumes is a major concern of online recruiting systems. What we propose in this article is a framework that helps bridge the gap between graduates and recruiters through a big data architecture for university based on a real and certified database of graduates and companies.</span></span>

Oral health attitudes and behavior among undergraduate students

IntroductionOral health behavior is based on an acquired experience and cultural traditions. University education may smooth out cultural differences in oral health practice.ObjectivesOur goal is to study self-reported oral health attitudes and behavior of university students and the cultural basis for it.MethodsWe used the English version of the Hiroshima University Dental Behavioral Inventory to carry out an online survey of 136 university students of Morocco and Russia.ResultsOver half of the students (60.3%) do not feel anxious when visiting a dentist. Most of them take care of their gums (41.2%), teeth color (49.3%) and the degree of their cleanness (38.2%). The overwhelming majority of the students brush their each tooth very thoroughly (62.5%), they regularly examine their teeth in the mirror after brushing them (90.4%). They are well aware that tooth brushing alone cannot prevent a gum disease (63.2%), and they feel concerned about the possibility of having bad breath (73.6%). At the same time, over half of the students (61.7%) put off their visit to a dentist until they have a toothache, which is a negative behavioral factor. We did not reveal any gender or cultural differences between the students of the two countries, which can be regarded as a universalization factor of oral health behavior in young people who get higher education in universities.ConclusionsThe majority of the surveyed Russian and Moroccan university students have similar patterns of oral health attitudes and behavior. This assumption needs verification on a larger sample of students.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

Adoption of distance education during the pandemic of covid-19 by Moroccan university students: a qualitative study applying UTAUT model

Adoption of distance education during the pandemic of covid-19 by Moroccan university students: a qualitative study applying UTAUT model

Factors influencing Moroccan University students’ choice of academic majors: Mohammed V University, FLHS in Rabat as a case study

Opting for an academic major at the university can be a student’s most conclusive decision. This study aims at identifying factors that impact first-year university students’ choice of academic majors at the university. It mainly examines the impact of personal characteristics and future job factors on first-year university students choosing a specific academic major or field of study. A survey was administered to 180 first-year university students to assess factors influencing their choice of these academic majors at the university, the Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences in Meknes, as a case study. Using a survey, participants in this study were asked to rank a list of determining factors that may have influenced their decision of university academic major. The study reached that career aspiration, the reputation of academic major, students’ personal development, educational goals, parents’ influence and teachers’ impact all come into play to affect first-year university students’ selection of their academic majors.

Factors influencing Moroccan University students' choice of academic majors: Mohammed V University, FLHS in Rabat as a case study

Factors influencing Moroccan University students' choice of academic majors: Mohammed V University, FLHS in Rabat as a case study

Sodium and potassium intakes assessed by 24-h urine among Moroccan University students in Casablanca, Morocco: Cross-sectional study

In Morocco, the high consumption of dietary sodium increases the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and predisposes to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and hypertension. This study aims to assess the dietary sodium and potassium intake in a random sample of Moroccan adult students as a benchmark informing a national strategy for reducing salt intake. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 103 adults aged 18 to 25 years recruited in Casablanca. The 24-hour urinary excretion was used to measure the sodium and potassium. Urine volume and creatinine excretion level were used to validate the completeness of the collected samples. The average urinary sodium excretion was 3.1±0.1g/day, 13.5% consumed less than 5g/day, while 69% consumed more than 5g/day of which 17.5% consumed more than twice the recommendations. For the average urinary potassium excretion was 1.83±0.06g/day, and more than 98% of the students consumed less than the adequate intake. The Na/K ratio is significantly higher than the recommended amounts. The results of this pilot study show that the population studied has a high sodium intake and low potassium intake which does not meet World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, which requires implementing an action plan to reduce salt intake.

Awareness, attitudes and acceptability of the HPV vaccine among female university students in Morocco.

BackgroundIn Morocco, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer affecting women behind breast cancer. The Human PapillomaVirus (HPV) vaccine has been available in Morocco since 2008 but its introduction in the national immunization program is still under discussion. There is limited data regarding acceptability and predictors of HPV vaccine acceptability among Moroccan young women. This study aimed to evaluate the awareness of female university students of HPV and the vaccine and to identify predictors of HPV vaccine acceptability.MethodsWe conducted a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire with 1087 participants in six Moroccan universities between May 2019 and June 2020.ResultsThe awareness of HPV infection was 14.7% and of HPV vaccine was 7.8%. The rate of immunization coverage against HPV was less than 1%. Over 67% of participants were willing to receive the HPV vaccine. Awareness of cervical cancer (p-Value = 0.04) and the HPV vaccine (p-Value = 0.01), and acceptability of Pap smear test (p-Value <0.01) were significant predictors of HPV vaccine acceptability.ConclusionsThis study revealed an insufficient amounts of awareness of HPV and of HPV vaccine uptake in a sample of Moroccan university young women. This lack of awareness needs intervention, and it is important to develop an awareness program for young female population either within or outside universities in order to promote vaccination uptake and ultimately lower the cervical cancer rate in Morocco.

Citizenship Attitudes and Social Inequality Among Moroccan University Students

ABSTRACT Drawing on social identity approach, comprising of social identity theory and self-categorisation theory, this article compares the ways in which public and private university students in Morocco approach the controversial relationship between citizenship and identity. By revealing students’ self-identification and the role socio-economic factors have in this process, we seek to gain knowledge about the extent to which citizenship is perceived as a legal status as opposed to membership in a political community and how the transformation inherent in global market capitalism and the distribution of resources affect the youth’s behaviours and attitudes towards social action. The sample represented the public and private dichotomy divide through 150 participants from four differently located Moroccan universities, namely Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Mohammed V University, Al-Akhawayn University and International University of Rabat. Data were collected by means of a self-administered questionnaire and a semi-structured interview and were analysed using a mixed method approach to triangulate findings and ensure trustworthiness.

Knowledge and Practices of Food Safety among Health Care Professionals and Handlers Working in the Kitchen of a Moroccan University Hospital

Food safety plays a key role in the prevention of foodborne illnesses. Mastery of the correct way of handling food is required especially in hospitals where meals are prepared for patients with low immune function. Food safety knowledge among doctors and dieticians is important because of the fundamental role these professionals play in transferring this knowledge to people who need it. The objective of this study was to assess food safety knowledge and practices among health care professionals and food handlers working in the kitchen of a Moroccan university hospital. This cross-sectional study included 72 doctors, dieticians, hygiene technicians, and hospital kitchen employees, who completed a questionnaire to assess their knowledge on hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) systems, food poisoning, cross-contamination, and food storage and their practices in terms of food safety. Of the participants in this study, 56% said they had received food safety training, and 74% knew the correct definition of HACCP. The overall food safety knowledge mean score was 0.54 ± 0.15, which corresponds to 54% of questions answered correctly. The food safety knowledge areas with the highest mean scores were cross-contamination and food storage, with 0.58 ± 0.20 (58%) and 0.55 ± 0.20 (55%), respectively. The food safety knowledge scores for dieticians and hygiene technicians were higher than those for hospital kitchen workers and doctors. Knowledge about food storage was significantly associated with gender, age, occupation, and level of education (P < 0.05). Correct food practices were observed among 93% of the hospital kitchen staff and 50% of the health care professionals. These results indicate the need for preventive and corrective actions such as training and education about food safety to improve the knowledge and food safety practices of hospital professionals.

Higher Education Teachers’ Perception, Strategies and Challenges in Teaching Critical Thinking Skills: A Case Study of Higher School of Technology Fezmorocco

In today’s digitalized and fast-evolving world, critical thinking skills have become necessary requirements for academic and professional success and sustainable development. For this reason, universities should educate and prepare highly employed graduates since the most valuable and most complicated skills to find generally not related to technical skills but relatively soft ones to thrive in this evolving world. New competencies must be added to one’s curricula. This study, therefore, investigated university teachers' perception of the importance of teaching critical thinking skills and the most effective practices adopted to enhance its development in university. The study employed a qualitative approach to investigation. 17 Moroccan university instructors answered an open-ended questionnaire. The findings showed that critical thinking continues to gain momentum. Almost all respondents believe that critical thinking skills are a prerequisite for their learners. The results also revealed that oral and written reflection and argumentation, collaborative and cooperative learning, connection with the real world, problem and project-based learning are considered the most effective practices to enhance critical thinking skills development. Getting to know University professors' perception of the importance of critical thinking skills and the sound strategies to teach them is fundamental to set up meaningful curriculum design and to prepare graduates to become more employable.

Learner Autonomy: Attitudes and Practices of Moroccan University Students in English Departments

The study at hand examines learner autonomy in the Moroccan higher education context. The relevance of autonomy stems from the need to empower learners with the necessary life skills to succeed both in their personal and professional lives. This study is thus concerned with the possible ways to foster autonomy within Moroccan University students. It also takes into account how teaching English at university and motivating autonomous behaviours in classrooms can be attained in an integrated way. To these ends, quantitative research was conducted through a survey of 326 students studying English at Moroccan universities. Findings revealed a great awareness of the importance of learner autonomy among Moroccan university students. These students hold positive attitudes towards learning autonomously and are engaged in manifesting various autonomous behaviours in class. In short, the survey yielded evidence of very promising ground upon which can be built a culture of autonomy in Moroccan higher education.

The promotion of green entrepreneurship: What role for the Moroccan university? The case of Sultan Moulay Slimane University

The promotion of green entrepreneurship: What role for the Moroccan university? The case of Sultan Moulay Slimane University

Moroccan University Students' Ability in Comprehending Argumentative Listening and Descriptive Listening Discourses: Meknes and kenitra as a Case Study

The students' comprehension of listening texts in different types of discourse is mandatory at the university level. However, Moroccan university students still find difficulties when listening to some types of discourse, especially the argumentative and the descriptive ones. Admittedly, knowing about the hindrances that students face while listening to different types of discourse will pave the way for teachers to improve their teaching methods concerning listening skills. The objective of this study is to measure the Moroccan university students' ability to comprehend argumentative and descriptive listening texts and whether there is a correlation between the two types of discourse. Tests are used as data collection instruments that were assigned to 92 Moroccan Semester 4 students studying in education professional BA degree in the school of Art and Humanities Moulay Ismail University in Meknes, Ibn Tofail University in Kenitra as well as ENS (Ecole National Supérieure) in Meknes. The findings state that there is a significant difference between descriptive and argumentative listening ability as well as a significant positive correlation between the two sets of data.

Distance Learning Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic: Moroccan University Students’ Perceptions

In March 2020 and following the outbreak of the corona virus pandemic, Morocco decided to stop classroom learning and replace it with distance learning, thus ensuring the continuity of learning for all Moroccan students. The challenge for the Moroccan legislator, now and then, is to institutionalize the practice of education through mediated forms of technology, thereby encouraging both teachers and students to integrate technology in their teaching and learning practices. While adopting a qualitative case study method, this article highlights the experience of 113 students of a Moroccan English department with distance learning during the COVID-19 lockdown. Four themes emerged from the dataset: uncertainty, technical and logistical hurdles, inequality, and lack of intimacy. Though this research takes as its case study an example of an experience rather than a unique experience, it has international relevance in considering students’ experience, which can help improve and maximize the application of distance learning and teaching in places with the same conditions such as Morocco.

E-management in the Moroccan University: What Impact on Governance?

It is obvious that the use of new information and communication technologies (NICT) is essential for development, and this by promoting e-governance and access to information, with the avowed aim of giving the population the means to influence the decisions of public authorities. The use of new technologies within administrations is one of the determining factors in boosting good governance. Moreover, democratic, economic, and administrative governance are three results of the good use of NICTs. In this paper, we will study the implementation of e-management in the Moroccan University (Case of the USMS: Sultan Moulay Slimane University) and its impact on governance and sustainable performance within this organization.

E-management in the Moroccan university: what impact ongovernance?

It is obvious that the use of new information and communication technologies (NICTs) is essential for development, and this is by promoting e-governance and access to information, with the avowed aim of giving the population the means to influence the decisions of public authorities. The use of new technologies within administrations is one of the determining factors in boosting good governance. Moreover, democratic, economic, and administrative governance are the three results of the good use of NICTs. In this paper, we will study the implementation of e-management in the Moroccan University (case of the USMS: Sultan Moulay Slimane University) and its impact on governance and sustainable performance within this organization

The unexpected transition to distance learning at Moroccan universities amid COVID-19: A qualitative study on faculty experience.

This study aimed to examine how faculty view the experience of the unexpected transition to distance learning as the only option to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The phenomenological research design was adopted to account for faculty experience when delivering online language courses. Data were collected through email interviewing with Moroccan university teachers. 20 male faculty members, drawn from a purposeful sample, participated in this study after the completion of a seven-week period of delivering English classes at a distance. Thematic coding analysis was used to approach the participants' answers. Results illustrated how the teachers’ experience of delivering language classes involved lack of ICT infrastructure and lack of student engagement, while creating opportunities for flexibility in the time and pace of teaching and learning and increased learner-content interaction. Based on these results, implications for implementation and research were provided.