Organized by AUI’s Office of Employability and Entrepreneurship, the Career Day welcomed 117 students and 15 senior professionals representing organizations such as Microsoft, Bank of Africa, IBM Morocco, Salesforce, EDF Renewables, JESA, Ingram Micro, and Bright Square Africa. Faculty members from UM6P, École Centrale Casablanca, and Université Hassan II also took part in the discussions.
The event reflected AUI’s commitment to early exposure to the professional world, allowing students to engage directly with industry leaders across sectors including business, technology, finance, healthcare, and law.
“At AUI, our approach is simple: expose students early to the job market and bring industry to campus,” said Hanene Duprat, Director of Employability at AUI. “By engaging directly with leaders from multinational companies and diverse sectors, students gain a clearer understanding of how careers evolve, what skills matter, and how to position themselves in an increasingly competitive, technology-driven environment.”
Designed as a highly interactive forum, the Career Day combined strategic discussions on global market trends with open exchanges between students and professionals. Rather than a traditional lecture format, the sessions encouraged candid conversations, practical advice, and personal reflections on navigating careers in fast-changing professional environments.
Speakers highlighted the importance of adaptability, purpose-driven careers, and continuous learning, offering students a realistic view of professional life beyond job titles and salary expectations.
Beyond student engagement, the event also reinforced collaboration between Al Akhawayn University, the U.S. Embassy in Morocco, and participating organizations, opening the door for continued initiatives around mentoring, employability, and professional development.
“We launched this program with Al Akhawayn University because of our strong record of collaboration and AUI’s emphasis on the American model of higher education,” said Muhammad Shahbaz, Cultural Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Rabat. “This initiative also coincides with the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence and Morocco’s recognition of that independence, highlighting the long-standing ties between our two countries.”
Panelists echoed the value of this exchange, including Amal Benaïssa, PhD, Director of Sustainability Advocacy at Bank of Africa, who emphasized the impact of authentic dialogue between students and professionals.
“Unlike a traditional lecture, listening to professionals who have gone through their careers ,and who can put themselves in students’ shoes , helps future graduates understand what a career means beyond titles or salary,” she noted.
The U.S. Mission Career Day illustrates Al Akhawayn University’s Liberal Arts and Sciences model, which places critical thinking, interdisciplinary learning, and early engagement with real-world professional environments at the heart of student development.