By: Fikri Ould Ali
On Tuesday, October 20, 2026, Abdelmalek Essaâdi University and the Banque Populaire Tanger-Tétouan Foundation signed a framework agreement aimed at bolstering cooperation between the two institutions. The agreement seeks to forge stronger ties between academic training and the demands of the economic environment and labor market, with a focus on empowering youth and encouraging innovation and entrepreneurial initiatives.
The agreement was signed by Bouchta El Moumni, President of Abdelmalek Essaâdi University, and Mohamed El Haimer, Chairman of the Management Board of the Banque Populaire Foundation, in the presence of several officials and executives from both sides.
This agreement falls within a shared commitment to build practical bridges between the university and the banking sector by valuing academic talent, encouraging students and young people to innovate and launch projects, as well as providing opportunities for training, skill enhancement, and mentorship for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Furthermore, the partnership aims to shift university education from a predominantly theoretical framework toward an approach that is more open to economic realities. This will help students acquire practical skills and competencies that enable them to meet job market demands and contribute to creating value-added ventures.
Through this collaboration, both parties aim to leverage their respective resources and expertise—particularly in the fields of training, innovation, entrepreneurship, youth skill development, and support for emerging startups—thereby boosting the integration of academic talent into the economic landscape.
This agreement also reflects Abdelmalek Essaâdi University’s dedication to expanding its outreach within its socio-economic ecosystem and enhancing partnerships with institutional and economic actors, making higher education more aligned with development needs and market requirements.
The implementation of this agreement is expected to serve as a practical test of the partnership’s capacity to translate its stated goals into tangible programs and initiatives that directly benefit students and project holders, ultimately reinforcing the university’s role as a key driver of innovation, entrepreneurship, and youth empowerment.
