Thesis defenses
Ph.D. Thesis Defense of Mr. Anoire EL ATTARI, in Information and Communication Sciences
On 24 July 2025, the Euromed University of Fes hosted, at the Euromed Innovation Center, the defense of the doctoral thesis of Mr EL ATTARI, entitled “Communicating in Times of Crisis: An Analytical Retrospective of the Coverage of Covid-19 in Morocco”, supervised by Prof. Abderrahman Tenkoul, Dean of the Euromed Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. This research focuses on the media treatment of the Covid-19 pandemic in Morocco and its effects on the public’s perceptions and preventive behaviors.
Defended before a jury chaired by Prof. Abdelhak Azzouzi, President of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Chair, and composed of eminent university professors at the national level, this thesis was awarded the distinction “Very Honorable with the Jury’s Congratulations,” unanimously, with a recommendation for publication.
During the defense, discussions with the jury members focused in particular on the robustness of the methodological framework, the articulation between quantitative and qualitative analysis, and the way in which this thesis renews reflection on crisis journalism in Morocco. The questions also addressed the role of the media in managing uncertainty, combating disinformation, and building public trust in institutions, particularly in a context of social and health vulnerability.
Ph.D. Thesis Defense of Mr. Othman SQALLI HOUSSAINI, in International Relations
On 24 July 2025, the Euromed University of Fes hosted, at the Fes Smart Factory, the defense of the doctoral thesis in International Relations of Mr. Othman Sqalli Houssaini, entitled “The Policy of African Cooperation of the Kingdom of Morocco: Realities, Constraints, and Perspectives – Case of Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, and Tanzania”. Supervised by Prof. Abderrahman Tenkoul, the thesis provides an in-depth analysis of Morocco’s policy of African cooperation, particularly through the prism of culture and religion as levers for rapprochement and socio-economic development.
Grounded in the study of field initiatives, theoretical frameworks, and interviews with public officials, institutional actors and experts from several African countries, this research sheds light on both the contributions and the constraints and challenges of South-South cooperation that articulates cultural, religious, economic and political dimensions. It helps to fill a gap in in-depth analysis of these issues in West and East Africa, and proposes courses of action for decision-makers, international organizations and religious communities to better integrate these dimensions into public cooperation policies.
Chaired by Prof. Abdelhak Azzouzi, the defense gave rise to rich discussions on the role of Moroccan “soft power” in Africa and on the place of this cultural and religious diplomacy in promoting dialogue, peace and development on a continental scale. At the end of the defense, the jury awarded the distinction “Very Honorable with the Jury’s Congratulations,” unanimously, with a recommendation for publication.
Ph.D. Thesis Defense of Ms. Adjoba Audrey Paule N’ZE, in Sustainable Development
On 24 September 2025, the Euromed University of Fes hosted, at the UEMF Art Gallery, the defense of the doctoral thesis in “Governance and Development” of Ms Adjoba Audrey Paule N’ZE, enrolled at the UEMF Doctoral Center (CEDOC). Under the theme “Sustainable Development Put to the Test of Good Governance: Benchmark Approach for the Fez-Meknes Region and the Autonomous District of Abidjan”, this thesis analyses the institutional factors that shape the sustainable development trajectories of territories, through an in-depth comparison between the Fez-Meknes region and the autonomous district of Abidjan.
Supervised by Prof. Abderrahman Tenkoul, the doctoral candidate proposes an original analytical framework articulating regulation theory, multi-stakeholder governance and a multi-scalar approach. By combining a literature review, a bibliometric study and field surveys, the research highlights how institutional architectures, consultation mechanisms and planning instruments (the SRAT for Fez-Meknes, the SDUGA for Abidjan) concretely influence the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Chaired by Prof. Abdelhak Azzouzi and bringing together a jury composed of professors from several Moroccan universities, the defense gave rise to rich discussions on the challenges of territorial governance in Africa, underlining the contribution of this work to understanding local sustainability dynamics and to the design of more coherent and inclusive public policies. This thesis was awarded the distinction “Very Honorable with the Jury’s Congratulations,” unanimously, with a recommendation for publication.