Celebrating Academic Excellence in Amazigh Studies
In a remarkable achievement for Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University located in Fez, Morocco, the institution has garnered national recognition in the field of Amazigh studies. Professor Samira Makrim, a prominent figure in the Amazigh language department, announced that five graduates from the university have been awarded prestigious academic prizes by the Moroccan Academy. This honor was bestowed upon them during a ceremony held on October 28, 2026, in Rabat, where the awards were presented by Abd al-Jalil al-Hajmiri, the permanent secretary of the Moroccan Academy. Notably, these five graduates represent half of the ten national awardees, underscoring their significant contributions to doctoral research.
The awards were part of an international symposium focused on strengthening and disseminating the Amazigh language and culture. This event took place on October 28 and 29, 2026, at the Royal Institute for Research on the History of Morocco and marked the culmination of a scientific journey that spanned from January to October 2026. This journey involved collaborative efforts among various academic institutions in Fez, Oujda, and Agadir, coordinated by Professor Idriss Akhrouz. Among the distinguished graduates recognized were Omar Ait Said, Nasht Zair, Ayoub Tourar, Ismail Maghari, and Tijani Saadani.
Significance of the Achievement for the Faculty and the Future of Amazigh Studies
This accomplishment holds particular significance for the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at Saïs-Fes and the Amazigh language and literature department, where three of the awardees are currently serving as lecturer professors. These are Ayoub Tourar, Ismail Maghari, and Rashid Bilhadi. The importance of this recognition goes beyond mere accolades; it directly impacts the quality of education and mentorship within the department. These researchers are now actively involved in passing on their academic expertise and teaching a new generation of students, thereby ensuring a strong link between scientific research outcomes and the development of educational curricula.
The award-winning research projects spanned diverse fields, including heritage, history, anthropology, language, literature, didactics, translation, and even the arts and cinematic creativity. This diversity reflects the vibrancy of Amazigh studies and its engagement with contemporary issues, technology, and artificial intelligence. This well-deserved recognition affirms the value of academic training at Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University and highlights the readiness of its Amazigh language graduates to lead Morocco's future in scientific and cultural advancement.
As reported by amadalamazigh.press.ma.
