Watch: UAE's AUS, Morocco's Al Akhawayn to promote Arabic scholarship, ethical AI

Rabat: The American University of Sharjah (AUS) and Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane (AUI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote Arabic and Islamic studies, digital humanities, language pedagogy, and the ethical development of emerging technologies.

The agreement was formalised on April 16 at the Central Bank of Morocco, in the presence of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President of AUS, and Abdellatif Jouahri, Governor of Bank Al Maghrib and Chairman of AUI’s Board of Trustees.

“This 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,” said Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi. “Through this partnership, we look forward to enriching academic exchange and strengthening collaboration between our institutions and our nations.”

Abdellatif Jouahri said that the MoU as a symbol of enduring relations between the two nations: “This agreement seeks to empower our universities to collaborate on scientific research and academic initiatives across multiple fields of shared interest.”

Wide-ranging academic engagement

The collaboration paves the way for wide-ranging academic engagement, including faculty and student exchanges, joint research projects, and co-developed academic programs. At its core, the partnership will explore the intersections of Arabic and English language pedagogy, the advancement of critical academic literacies, and the future of Arabic studies in a technology-driven era.

Dr Tod Laursen, Chancellor of AUS, described the alliance as a model for global higher education: “Together with Al Akhawayn University, we are expanding opportunities for collaborative research, reimagining Arabic studies, and contributing to the ethical evolution of artificial intelligence. This partnership is rooted in culture, guided by purpose, and focused on global impact.”

Joint centre

A major goal of the initiative is to establish a joint centre for pedagogy and digital humanities — a hub for research in Arab and Muslim literatures, cultural communication, and interdisciplinary innovation. The partnership will also foster scholarship in translation studies, Arabic liberal arts education, and the development of inclusive digital tools.

Dr Amine Bensaid, President of AUI, welcomed the partnership as an opportunity to integrate heritage and innovation: “We are delighted to launch this collaboration with AUS. It continues our founding vision — one that is rooted in cultural identity and enriched through cross-cultural exchange. We aim to prepare graduates who bridge technology and cultural understanding.”

Open-source Arabic dataset

Beyond humanities and social sciences, the agreement also includes collaboration in science, engineering, business, architecture, design, and archival research. One ambitious element of the partnership is the creation of an open-source Arabic data set — including literary works, media content, and academic publications from both countries — to support culturally inclusive AI development.

The MoU also outlines shared efforts in student mobility, faculty development, joint supervision of graduate students, and the co-hosting of academic events such as seminars and technical workshops. Both institutions are exploring the creation of a collaborative fund to support ongoing joint initiatives aligned with their academic missions.

This agreement is part of AUS’s broader global strategy to build partnerships with leading institutions worldwide — strengthening interdisciplinary research, global engagement, and innovation to tackle regional and global challenges.