AUS and Al Akhawayn University partner to advance Arabic scholarship and ethical AI

Strategic partnership supports joint research, academic exchange and the development of global platforms for Arabic language, literature and pedagogy

American University of Sharjah (AUS) and Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane (AUI) marked a new chapter in international academic cooperation with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on April 16 at the Central Bank of Morocco in the presence of Her Excellency Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President of AUS; and His Excellency Abdellatif Jouahri, Governor of Bank Al Maghrib and Chairman of the AUI Board of Trustees. The agreement establishes a collaborative framework focused on Arabic and Islamic studies, language pedagogy, digital humanities and emerging technologies—promoting cultural exchange, joint research and academic partnerships rooted in shared heritage and future-focused goals.

Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi said: “The MOU with Al Akhawayn reflects the deep-rooted ties between the Emirate of Sharjah, the UAE and the Kingdom of Morocco, and highlights our shared commitment to advancing higher education and preserving cultural identity. AUS and Al Akhawayn University share a common academic vision—one that values Arabic and Islamic studies, supports research in heritage and identity and embraces innovation in knowledge creation. Through this partnership, we look forward to enriching academic exchange and strengthening collaboration between our institutions and our nations.”

His Excellency Abdellatif Jouahri said: “The memorandum of understanding between American University of Sharjah and Al Akhawayn University represents an additional link in the framework of the historical brotherly relations between the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Morocco. It aims to enable the two universities to develop scientific research and academic cooperation in several areas of mutual interest.”

The signing ceremony was also attended by His Excellency Dr. Ahmed Toufiq, Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs of the Kingdom of Morocco; and His Excellency Dr. Azzedine El Midaoui, Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation of the Kingdom of Morocco, along with other senior officials from both institutions.

Dr. Tod Laursen, Chancellor of AUS, stated: “This partnership is a powerful expression of our vision for higher education that transcends borders and builds bridges through scholarship. Together with Al Akhawayn University, we are expanding the possibilities for collaborative research, reimagining the future of Arabic studies and contributing ethically to the evolution of artificial intelligence. This agreement reflects the very best of international academic cooperation—deeply rooted in culture, guided by purpose and focused on global impact.”

The collaboration’s scope includes research on the intersections between Arabic and English language pedagogies, with a particular focus on developing academic and critical literacies. It also encompasses efforts to advance the teaching of Arabic as a foreign language, facilitate translation across scholarly disciplines and promote Arabic liberal arts education. The two universities will explore the potential establishment of a joint center dedicated to pedagogy and digital humanities, providing a shared platform for research in Arab and Muslim literatures, cultural dynamics and communication systems.

Dr. Amine Bensaid, President of AUI, said: "We're delighted to launch this partnership with our colleagues at AUS.  This new partnership continues the founding vision that has inspired Al Akhawayn University since its inception thirty years ago, combining an anchoring in identity with deep cross-cultural collaboration.  Through this ambitious new partnership with AUS, we will launch initiatives to advance collaborative research, reimagine and contribute to the future of Arabic Studies in the era of AI, cross-fertilize with best practices in English Studies and strengthen our shared liberal arts traditions to prepare globally-minded graduates who can bridge technology and cultural understanding in an increasingly interconnected world.  It's a privilege for us to have an opportunity to contribute to—and to enjoy— the mutual admiration between the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Morocco."

The MoU also provides avenues for cooperation in science, engineering, business, architecture, art, design and archival research. A particularly ambitious objective of the agreement is the development of an open-source Arabic dataset comprising literary works, media content and academic publications that reflect the linguistic and cultural richness of both Morocco and the UAE. By making this resource openly accessible, AUS and AUI aim to promote more inclusive and culturally representative training data for large language models, contributing to the ethical advancement of artificial intelligence.

The partnership also paves the way for a wide range of collaborative activities, including faculty and staff exchanges, student mobility programs, shared academic resources, co-developed courses and joint research projects. Opportunities for joint supervision of graduate students, co-hosted conferences, seminars and technical training programs are also envisioned. Both institutions have expressed strong interest in establishing a collaborative fund to support joint initiatives aligned with shared academic priorities.

This agreement forms part of AUS’ broader commitment to building strategic partnerships with leading institutions around the world. Through such collaborations, AUS aims to expand its global reach, foster innovation across disciplines and contribute to the development of knowledge ecosystems that address regional and global challenges. To learn more about AUS and its partnerships, visit www.aus.edu.