Al Akhawayn University (AUI) and Deloitte Morocco Cyber Center (DMCC) recently entered into a partnership to launch an 18-month specialized master’s degree in cybersecurity, aimed at training 30 experts per class.
As part of its proactive strategy of collaborating with the private sector, Al Akhawayn University is stepping up its commitment alongside industry players to adapt its training offerings to the critical needs of the job market. Following structural partnerships with several renowned firms, the university is now joining forces with Deloitte Morocco Cyber Center to launch a specialized master’s degree in cybersecurity next September.
Lasting 18 months, this program will train 30 experts per class, combining academic immersion and field experience to address the skills shortage in a sector that is key to Morocco’s digital sovereignty. “The agility of our industrial partnerships enables us to anticipate market changes. This master’s degree in cybersecurity illustrates our ability to transform business needs into concrete training programs, where theory and practice feed into each other,” emphasizes Prof. Salah AlMajeed, Dean of the School of Science and Engineering. Designed to reflect the operational realities of businesses, this master’s program will include modules co-developed with Deloitte, including technical workshops, cyberattack simulations, and internships with industry partners.
“Cybersecurity is no longer a choice, but a necessity for Moroccan and African companies. This program will train profiles capable of countering cyber threats while stimulating innovation,” adds the dean. This new partnership is part of AUI’s commitment to systematizing university-industry synergies. Companies help shape the curriculum, identify priority skills, and recruit talent upstream. This model has already proven its worth with industry giants, where students alternate between campus and remote work assignments for international clients starting in their second year of study.
With this master’s degree, AUI is consolidating its position as a hub of expertise in disruptive technologies, alongside its AI and Big Data programs. The university relies on state-of-the-art infrastructure, including four new academic buildings inaugurated in 2024, and impact-oriented applied research to respond to national challenges such as data security and the resilience of critical systems.
Beyond education, AUI is strengthening its cybersecurity R&D projects in collaboration with international institutions. Among its priorities are the protection of critical infrastructure, ethical AI, and predictive risk analysis. The university is also piloting an EU-funded project on innovation in higher education.
