Arizona State University partners with Moroccan college to create pathway to U.S. degrees

Arizona State University (ASU) has announced a new partnership with the Private University of Fez (UPF) to offer Moroccan students — and students from across Africa — the chance to begin their studies in Morocco and complete them in the United States for the first time, according to Moroccan media reports.

“This is a first in Morocco,” said Professor Mohamed Ouazani-Jamil, Vice President of UPF. “Students can start their degrees here and finish them at ASU, earning bachelor’s or master’s degrees from a top American university. That kind of access simply didn’t exist before.”

The partnership was arranged through ASU’s global affiliate, Cintana Education, which has similar agreements with around 30 international universities worldwide. The initiative aims to give Moroccan students more opportunities to collaborate globally.

Five academic programs are expected to launch this fall, with UPF gradually adopting more of ASU’s American-style curriculum. ASU faculty will also begin teaching on UPF’s Fez campus.

“This isn’t just a typical exchange program — it’s a dual-degree pathway backed by the quality and reputation of the ASU name,” Ouazani-Jamil added.

In the U.S., reviews of Arizona State University are mixed. ASU is widely recognized as one of the top innovative public universities, but it is not highly selective, with a 90% acceptance rate. It also struggles with retention. Its four-year graduation rate is around about 55%, according to U.S. News & World Report.