In Morocco, we are doing something truly ground-breaking – bringing an American-style liberal arts education system into a region where early specialisation dominates.
As a member of the Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education, we are the only higher education institution outside North America to fully embrace this model as an academic tool to help our students find their purpose in life, while ensuring they are also fully prepared to be globally competitive.
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- Developing student employability within universities
Unlike many institutions where students are expected to choose a career path too soon, such an approach encourages exploration, adaptability and critical thinking – qualities that matter in today’s rapidly evolving job market.
But making this work in North Africa has required us to tailor the approach to match local realities. Here’s how we’ve done it, and how other universities can learn from our experience.
Why the liberal arts, and why now?
Moroccan higher education is heavily influenced by the French system, which has long emphasised early specialisation.
While this provides students with technical expertise, it can limit their ability to pivot, innovate and engage with diverse perspectives.
Employers today are looking for graduates who are multilingual and can think critically, with strong problem-solving skills – qualities that a liberal arts education fosters naturally.
At my university, students don’t just prepare for one career path. They develop intellectual agility, learning how to think across disciplines, communicate effectively and adapt to new challenges. This approach ensures they are both job- and life-ready.
Making it work
Adopting a liberal arts model beyond North America is not without its challenges. We’ve had to adapt it carefully to ensure cultural relevance and tangible benefits for students, parents and employers. Here’s what’s worked best for us:
Multilingual and multicultural preparation
Unlike traditional Moroccan universities, we require students to study in English, but we also emphasise Arabic, French and Tamazight (the Amazigh language).
This means that while our graduates are globally prepared, they are additionally connected to their cultural and linguistic heritage, making them highly valuable for both local and international employers.
Interdisciplinary learning and real-world applications
Our liberal arts curriculum blends humanities, social sciences and STEM to develop well-rounded graduates.
Students take courses in philosophy, sociology and comparative religion, alongside professional studies in business, engineering or international relations.
This broad-based education encourages creativity, ethical reasoning and problem-solving – all essential skills across every conceivable sector.
Career readiness with vocational exploration
Beyond academic learning and research, we help students discover their passions through mentorship and advising.
Our nascent vocational exploration programme, “Purpose, Aptitude, Transformation, Horizons” (PATH), pairs students with faculty and staff mentors to guide their personal and professional development. This ensures that graduates have clarity about their direction as well as a degree.
Engaging with local industry needs
Moroccan businesses are increasingly seeking graduates who can operate in international environments. Our alumni stand out because they can easily transition across cultures and industries.
To check this, we regularly conduct employer perception studies to ensure our curriculum stays aligned with constantly evolving market demands.
The future of liberal arts in Morocco and beyond
We believe that education should be a transformative experience to help students discover their place in the world. The liberal arts, with its emphasis on purpose-driven learning and adaptability, is proving to be just as valuable outside North America as within, when thoughtfully implemented.
Lessons for universities looking to adopt a liberal arts model
- Contextualise the model – don’t copy-paste an American-style education. Adapt it to local languages, cultures and job market needs
- Frame the message strategically – many parents and students don’t initially understand liberal arts education. We help overcome this challenge by emphasising career-readiness, critical thinking and adaptability, rather than overusing the term “liberal arts” itself
- Embed career exploration early – universities can differentiate their experience by emphasising that students will always need professional guidance to identify their passion and purpose
- This involves integrating mentorship, interdisciplinary courses and vocational reflection throughout the undergraduate experience
- Foster global readiness without losing local relevance – students should be prepared for international careers, while also being equipped to contribute locally. This balance is key
- Engage employers and stakeholders – universities must build strong partnerships with industry leaders to ensure their graduates are meeting real-world job expectations.
By integrating broad intellectual exploration with vocational clarity, a liberal arts approach is not just preparing students for careers – it is readying them to make a meaningful impact in the world. And this, in the end, is what higher education should truly be about.
Abderrahim Agnaou is an associate professor of communications and rhetoric and chair of the General Education Committee at Al Akhawayn University.
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