HEM has officially become HEM International University, nearly 40 years after it was founded. The change marks a new chapter for one of the country’s best-known private higher education institutions. The university says the new status aims to train graduates who can support the country’s economic, technological and social development.
HEM also wants to become a leading university with an international outlook, strong links with businesses and a greater role in higher education. The move will allow it to expand its academic programmes, research and international partnerships for the benefit of students, companies and the wider education sector.
Founded in 1988 as Hautes Études de Management (HEM), the institution has grown over the past 38 years from a business school into a network with campuses in cities including Casablanca and Rabat.
HEM International University is part of LCI Education, a Canadian higher education network that bought a majority stake in HEM in 2019. LCI Education includes 12 institutions across five continents and serves more than 20,000 students every year.
The university also has support from CDG Invest, the investment arm of the state-owned Caisse de Dépôt et de Gestion (CDG).
HEM says it will continue to focus on academic excellence, innovation, international cooperation and close links with businesses.
Its mission is to train “competent, responsible, entrepreneurial and globally minded individuals capable of making lasting contributions to the Kingdom’s economic, social and technological development.”
The university will present its new strategy, academic plans and development roadmap during an event in Casablanca on 2 September. The event will bring together leaders from business, academia and public institutions.
The change comes as private higher education continues to grow. University status allows institutions to offer a wider range of programmes, strengthen research and award internationally recognised degrees.
The move also supports the goals of the New Development Model, which aims to improve skills, boost employment and attract foreign investment.
HEM is regularly ranked among the country’s top private business schools. It holds Eduniversal’s “3 Palmes of Excellence” distinction, while its General Management and Finance programmes are ranked number one in the country and across Africa in the Eduniversal Best Masters rankings. Its Accounting, Control and Auditing (CCA) and International Management and Logistics programmes are also among the region’s highest-ranked.
