AUI and AUS join forces to enhance Arabic studies and AI research

Friday 18 April 2025 - 07:50

By: Dakir Madiha

AUI and AUS join forces to enhance Arabic studies and AI research

Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane (AUI) and the American University of Sharjah (AUS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at fostering collaboration in digital humanities, Arabic and Islamic studies, and ethical artificial intelligence.

The partnership seeks to enhance cooperation in research, teaching, and technological development, particularly in areas bridging Arabic and English language education with modern advancements in artificial intelligence. This initiative is designed to empower students and citizens in both Morocco and the UAE to engage with AI tools while remaining connected to their cultural identities.

The signing ceremony took place at Bank Al-Maghrib's headquarters in Rabat, attended by prominent figures including Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of AUS’s Board of Trustees, Abdellatif Jouahri, Chancellor of AUI, Amine Bensaid, President of AUI, and Tod Laursen, Chancellor of AUS.

During the event, Bensaid emphasized that the partnership exemplifies AUI’s foundational vision of harmonizing cultural identity with openness to advanced technologies. He stated that the collaboration aims to promote scientific research, reimagine Arabic studies in the context of AI, and develop tools that reinforce cultural identity while serving the youth.

Laursen remarked that this partnership aligns with AUS’s aspiration for a “borderless higher education system built on intellectual cooperation.” He noted that together with AUI, they are expanding opportunities for collaborative research and contributing ethically to AI development.

The collaboration also emphasizes the educational connection between Arabic and English languages, aiming to enhance students' academic and critical thinking skills. It supports the advancement of liberal arts education across both institutions.

A significant outcome of this partnership will be the establishment of a joint center for digital humanities and pedagogy, utilizing AI to support research in Arabic and Muslim literature, cultural studies, and communication systems.

In addition to language and humanities, the MoU paves the way for collaboration in science, engineering, management, architecture, arts, design, and archival research. Plans include the creation of an open-source Arabic database encompassing literary works, media content, and academic publications that highlight the cultural and linguistic diversity of Morocco and the UAE.

The agreement also entails faculty and staff exchanges, student mobility programs, shared teaching resources, co-developed courses, and joint research initiatives. Furthermore, it supports co-supervision of master’s and doctoral theses, joint conferences and workshops, and the establishment of a fund for academic projects.

In conclusion, the partnership reflects the global strategies of both universities, aiming to create knowledge ecosystems, foster innovation, and address significant regional and international challenges through interdisciplinary research.