Speaker of House of Representatives Chairs Ceremony for Concluding Agreement on Partnership and Scientific Cooperation with Moroccan Universities

Speaker of the House of Representatives Mr. Habib El Malki chaired on Tuesday, January 28^th a ceremony for concluding an agreement on partnership and scientific cooperation between the House of Representatives, the Ministry of National Education, Vocational training, Higher Education, and Scientific Research, the Delegate Ministry in charge of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and Moroccan universities. The ceremony took place with the participation of Ministers Said Amzazi and Driss Ouaouicha, presidents of Moroccan universities, Members of the House’s Board, chairpersons of standing committees, and chairpersons of parliamentary groups and caucuses.

In his statement on this occasion, the House’s Speaker highlighted that said agreement aims at providing the House with scientific services by universities, promoting scientific research regarding parliamentary work, organizing joint forums, symposiums, and conferences, and offering internships for M.A and Ph.D. students.

Mr. El Malki stressed the growing need for scientific advice amidst the local context of reforms, in which the House of Representatives holds a prominent position, mainly after the adoption of the 2011 Constitution that enlarged the House’s competences. In this respect, he said, “through concluding this agreement, we are opening new horizons for scientific research in Morocco and broadening its perspective to encompass parliamentary work and issues that are novel to it, namely representative and participatory democracy in current context, role of political parties in leadership considering the global tendency to political abstention, and evaluation of public policy.”

The Speaker also announced that the House intends to organize an annual scientific conference in cooperation with universities and higher education institutions, with the participation of concerned government bodies. He also announced the organization of thematic conferences in collaboration with the concerned institutions of higher education and scientific research in some university’s headquarters. Mr. El Malki also announced the launch of a prize for scientific research relative to parliamentary work, which will reward the best research paper tackling parliamentary matters. The House will also publish the scientific productions, and launch a scientific magazine devoted to parliamentary matters.

For his part, Minister of National Education, Vocational training, Higher Education, and Scientific Research, Mr. Said Amzazi lauded the conclusion of this agreement, noting that it will allow consolidating cooperation between the House of Representatives and scientific research institutions in studies and papers relative to parliamentary work.

As for Minister Delegate in Charge of Vocational Training, Higher Education and Scientific Research Mr. Driss Ouaouicha, he stressed the importance of this agreement, noting that it is part of involving university in its economic, social and political environment. He added that said agreement would also contribute to forming a generation of students well-informed about parliamentary work and social issues, and to promoting field scientific research regarding the Parliament.

Mr. Azzeddine El Midaoui, Chairman of the Moroccan Assembly of University Presidents, expressed the full engagement of Moroccan universities in this initiative. He noted that it comes amidst the social debate on the new development model, and the keenness to preserve the immaterial capital of the Kingdom of Morocco. In this respect, he said, “anything that would improve the work of the House will have a positive impact on citizens, and on the Moroccan university.”