For three intense days, the UM6P campus in Rabat became a battleground of logic, speed, and silence—broken only by the tapping of keyboards and the quiet intensity of competition rooms. From September 19 to 21, the Moroccan Collegiate Programming Contest brought together the country’s brightest young coders for a nail-biting finale that showcased a new level of technical brilliance.
Out of 72 applications from across Morocco, 44 teams representing 31 institutions and 17 cities were selected to compete. That’s 132 students in total, going head-to-head in timed algorithmic challenges designed to push their problem-solving abilities to the limit. The atmosphere was a unique mix of high concentration and electric tension, with each team striving to out-code the others under pressure.
When the dust settled, it was students from School 1337 who dominated the leaderboard. Their teams clinched the top spots, outperforming other strong contenders from EMI, ENSA Oujda, ENSA Agadir, and the UM6P College of Computing. For 1337, the victory was more than a win—it was the culmination of years of persistence, training, and quiet determination.
This year’s edition also made history: for the first time, six Moroccan teams have qualified for the Africa and Arab Collegiate Programming Championship (ACPC), set to take place in Egypt in December 2026. That regional event serves as the final step before the ICPC World Finals—the most prestigious university-level programming competition on the planet.
But beyond the rankings, this moment marks the emergence of a real national movement. Institutions are investing in competitive programming, alumni are returning as coaches, and students are building a culture of collaboration, precision, and speed. They’re not just learning to code—they’re learning to think fast and solve smart, as a team.
At School 1337, much of this success is tied to the leadership of Jalal Maaouni, a former student turned dedicated coach. He guided the school’s four competing teams through a demanding prep program filled with code reviews, simulations, and strategic drills. His meticulous approach paid off—one of the teams he trained took home the top prize.
“For seven years, we were always close—but never first. This trophy? Our students earned it, with hard work,” Maaouni shared, visibly moved. “Some people thought we were just a coding school. Today, we’ve proven that we can thrive in one of the toughest academic arenas out there.”
That sense of pride was echoed by the winning teams, including Ibrahim Mountasser. “Winning this year was a clear goal,” he said. “In 2021, we came so close. This time, we didn’t let go. Seeing two teams from 1337 at the top—it felt unreal.”
