Undergraduate Research School

Al Akhawayn Undergraduate Research Program

The University Honors Program offers an innovative educational experience that cultivates a vibrant intellectual community of ethical, creative and critical thinkers.

Through interdisciplinary seminars and research-oriented classes, the program invites students to explore new ideas, think outside the box and challenge themselves in their learning journey.

Undergraduates can take advantage of exciting initiatives such as the University’s Undergraduate Research Program - URP - and the Honors Program, an enriching weekly seminar that stimulates creative thinking through a deep exploration of diverse concepts like humanity or globalization in an interactive format.

Undergraduate Research School

Innovative Research in Action

During the last edition of URS, students tackled critical issues through cutting-edge projects, demonstrating the power of applied research. Notable projects included:

Cloud-Enabled GIS for Forest Fire Response: This project leveraged Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and cloud technologies to enhance emergency response coordination. The team explored crowdsourcing as a crucial tool for real-time data collection and stakeholder collaboration, identifying QGIS as the best open-source GIS software for this purpose.

Drone-Based Forest Fire Detection: Another team focused on using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with AI-driven thermal imaging to detect fire hotspots early. Their research highlighted the advantages of drones over traditional satellite imagery, emphasizing their efficiency, speed, and adaptability in remote locations.

A Pathway to Real-World Impact

Through structured research in the Winter and Summer Intersessions, students transition from theoretical exploration to practical implementation. Selected students advancing to the Summer Intersession benefit from free housing and financial support, provided they have no academic or program commitments during that period.

The URS is more than just a research program it’s a platform for innovation and collaboration. Whether working on emergency response technologies, sustainable solutions, or data-driven decision-making, students develop skills that prepare them for careers in academia, industry, and beyond.