Ifrane, September 9, 2025 – Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane (AUI) and Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University (PMU) signed today an agreement to establish the “Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd Bin Abdulaziz Chair for Artificial Intelligence Applications”, in the presence of several distinguished academic and institutional figures from both countries, including His Excellency Mr. Sami Bin Abdullah Bin Othman Al Saleh, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Morocco.
The agreement was signed by Dr. Amine Bensaid, President of Al Akhawayn University, and Dr. Issa Al Ansari, President of Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University, reflecting a shared commitment to strengthening cooperation between the two institutions and positioning Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a strategic driver of economic and social development in both Kingdoms. This initiative also reinforces AI as an essential tool in advancing academic excellence.
The Chair aims to conduct applied research in AI to develop concrete solutions addressing societal needs; to foster synergies among universities, businesses, and institutions at the regional and international levels; to promote innovation in support of the next generation of Moroccan talents for their success, well-being, and contribution to Morocco’s development; and to prioritize “research with societal impact” and sustainable development through AI applications in areas such as education, healthcare, cybersecurity, smart cities, and robotics.
During the signing ceremony, Dr. Amine Bensaid, President of Al Akhawayn University, stated:
“This partnership strengthens Al Akhawayn’s mission and commitment to combining academic excellence with technological innovation, ensuring the mastery and human-centered deployment of AI, starting with our students, our community, our country, and our region. It is about leveraging the strengths and benefits of this technology while equipping ourselves to mitigate its risks, in line with the University’s recent strategic choices. By hosting this initiative, we also reaffirm Al Akhawayn’s and Morocco’s pioneering role in this field across Africa and the region.”
For his part, Dr. Issa Al Ansari, President of Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University, declared:
“This partnership is fully aligned with PMU’s efforts to serve Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which places Artificial Intelligence at the heart of economic and social transformation. Together with Al Akhawayn University, we share the conviction that scientific collaboration and applied AI research will contribute to meeting tomorrow’s challenges and preparing a new generation of talents capable of shaping the future.”
Through this initiative, Al Akhawayn University and Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University reaffirm their joint commitment to placing innovation and partnerships at the service of education and progress, while further consolidating the strong and high-quality ties of cooperation between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
About Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University (PMU)
Founded in 2006 in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University (PMU) strives to be a pioneering institution in higher education by adopting innovative educational models and international academic standards. The university offers a wide range of programs in engineering, business administration, information technology, and the humanities, with a strong emphasis on applied scientific research.
PMU is firmly committed to its role as a driver of development and a catalyst for knowledge, in alignment with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. It prepares highly qualified leaders capable of competing on the global stage. In addition, the university actively works to build bridges of cooperation with leading universities and research institutions worldwide, in order to strengthen knowledge exchange and contribute to developing solutions to local and global challenges.
For more information, visit www.edu.pmu.sa