Event : 17 July, 2026
The second and closing day of the Forum featured a rich programme of scientific sessions and insightful academic contributions, bringing together a distinguished group of professors, researchers, and experts. Among the prominent contributors were Professor Saïd Aâbou, a leading Moroccan researcher in narratology and literary criticism; Professor Rachid El Khadiri, a renowned Moroccan poet and literary critic; and Professor El Dahbi Bouzidi.
The sessions addressed a wide range of contemporary issues of significant academic and societal relevance. Discussions focused notably on cultural policies and developmental transformation, as well as the linguistic question in Morocco. Particular attention was also devoted to the evolving role of media, digital technologies, and artificial intelligence applications in cultural mediation, highlighting the growing impact of technological transformation on the production, dissemination, and accessibility of cultural content.
Other discussions explored the complex relationship between culture and identity, alongside the question of the margin and cultural inclusion. The participants also examined ways of aligning university education and training with the evolving requirements of the labour market, while promoting creative entrepreneurship as an emerging avenue for professional development and economic and cultural innovation.
The fruitful discussions and scholarly exchanges brought the first edition of the Forum to a successful conclusion. Beyond providing a space for academic dialogue, the event reaffirmed Ibn Tofaïl University’s growing role as a key contributor to the national debate on the future of cultural and creative industries. It also laid the foundations for an annual academic platform dedicated to reflection, exchange, and dialogue on the transformations shaping Morocco’s cultural and creative landscape.
The Forum thus concluded its inaugural edition with a strong commitment to fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, encouraging innovative thinking, and strengthening the links between academia, culture, technology, and the wider socio-economic environment.
The Forum also contributes to the achievement of several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Quality Education, through its emphasis on innovative university education and the alignment of academic training with emerging professional needs; Decent Work and Economic Growth, by promoting creative entrepreneurship and strengthening links between higher education and the labour market; and Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, through its exploration of digital transformation, media, and artificial intelligence in the cultural and creative sectors. Its focus on cultural diversity, identity, inclusion, and dialogue further resonates with Reduced Inequalities and Sustainable Cities and Communities, particularly in relation to inclusive cultural participation and the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage. In this regard, the Forum reflects Ibn Tofaïl University’s commitment to advancing knowledge, innovation, cultural development, and sustainable societal transformation.