English has become unavoidable for scientific research in Morocco’s universities, Higher Education Minister Azzedine El Midaoui said on Monday, describing it as “a language with no alternative” for academic production, as the government moves to entrench multilingual competence while preserving Arabic and Amazigh as pillars of national identity.
Speaking before parliament, El Midaoui framed the shift as part of a long term, legally anchored strategy.
“Languages are a strategic issue regulated by the framework law,” he said, stressing that the ministry works “within continuity, not through temporary or isolated decisions,” to strengthen students’ linguistic skills.
At the center of this approach is a new national digital language platform developed entirely by Moroccan academics, engineers, and technicians.
El Midaoui described it as “100 percent Moroccan,” developed at “a reasonable Moroccan cost,” and positioned it as a lever of linguistic sovereignty rather than a simple e learning tool.
The platform currently offers Arabic, Amazigh, French, Spanish, and English, a configuration the minister said reflects Morocco’s linguistic reality and future needs.
English, however, occupies a distinct role. El Midaoui said it has become essential for research and scientific publication, noting that it is now systematically integrated into university curricula beyond introductory levels.
“It is the language of science and knowledge,” he said, adding that research training can no longer be disconnected from global academic standards.
French, by contrast, is increasingly confined to early university cycles. According to the minister, it remains primarily present in the first and second semesters, while from the third semester onward, foreign language modules are programmed more methodically, in line with new pedagogical guidelines.
Students enrolled in French taught programs are encouraged to strengthen their English, while students in Arabic tracks can access both French and English modules.
El Midaoui rejected the idea of linguistic displacement, insisting that national languages remain protected.
He said new pedagogical frameworks ensure that Arabic continues to be taught even in programs delivered in foreign languages, maintaining coherence and institutional balance.
The minister also linked language policy to broader technological shifts, particularly artificial intelligence and digital transformation. He said all university tracks now include training related to AI and data science, arguing that linguistic competence and technological literacy are increasingly inseparable.
Some lawmakers warned of delays in implementing regulatory texts linked to the framework law, while others urged the ministry to ensure that the new language platform is fully integrated into academic pathways rather than remaining a symbolic initiative.
Responding, El Midaoui acknowledged limits to rapid reform. “We cannot correct twelve years of accumulated language gaps in a short university cycle,” he said, calling linguistic reform a cumulative process requiring time and consistency.
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