ZHAW STUDENTS DISCOVER MOROCCO

Day 1

Behind the scenes at Royal Air Maroc

After a flight on board Royal Air Maroc (RAM), the students were able to discover what goes on behind the scenes at the airline. Alongside the CCSM delegation, the students and the faculty representatives began their company visits at RAM’s very headquarters on 5 February. Warmly welcomed by Ms Maria Tazi, Head of the airline’s Development Department, they were able to learn, through this visit, about the company’s history, its strategic direction and its achievements. This was followed by a question-and-answer session focusing in particular on the company’s projects aimed at making Casablanca a major hub for Africa and at further developing the African market.

Inside the Embassy of Switzerland in Morocco

After RAM, the students went to the Swiss Residence in Rabat. An opportunity to see at close quarters how their government operates abroad and how Switzerland’s interests are protected there.

In the garden of Eléphant Vert

A stop at Éléphant Vert in Rabat. After an interesting presentation on the activities of this agricultural company and on the alternative products it offers with no negative impact on the environment, the students were able to visit all of its premises!

Day 2

A stopover at the BMCE BANK club

Destination: the BMCE Bank Club, on 6 February. The speeches by Ms Soraya Sebti, Head of Sustainable Development &CSR, and her teams were introduced by an inspiring trailer on the company’s vision, entitled “Beyond Borders”. A subject that greatly interested the students, all the more so as it echoed disciplines taught at the ZHAW school. The presenter highlighted the company’s ambition, which goes beyond profitability and is rooted in sustainability and the creation of value for shareholders. After a sumptuous meal, the students made an impromptu tour of the bank’s club before going to the offices at its headquarters in the afternoon.

Mövenpick welcomes Morocco’s guests

The last part of the programme was a presentation of Morocco and of the country’s future prospects, at the Mövenpick hotel. After a tour of the premises of the gigantic hotel, Mr Amr Kallini, Managing Director, and his team gave their guests a detailed presentation of the country, of tourism and of the important role that the city’s hotels have to play in strengthening the country’s economy.

Day 3

Under the Buhler sky

At the BNWA sub-regional headquarters in Casablanca, it was Mr Mohamed Saadi, Project Manager, and Mr Jin Kit Chua, Regional Sales Manager, who welcomed the students. An interesting visit that enabled them to discover a company present in more than 150 countries worldwide which, thanks to its milling solutions, covers 65% of the world’s wheat production!

In front of the tallest minaret in the world

Time to discover Morocco and its wonders. A short visit to the Hassan II Mosque to admire the largest minaret in the world.

Discovering Novartis!

At Novartis Morocco, it was Mr Mourad Benhammacht, Human Resources Director Morocco, Tunisia and Libya, who presented the company to the students. After explaining Novartis’s mission, based on improving patients’ living conditions, Mr Mourad Benhammacht gave a guided tour of the premises. The meeting ended with an exchange around discussions on various subjects: talent management, the importance of change and benchmarking at Novartis.

Day 4

Students captivated by SGS’s activities

Another enriching visit: SGS Morocco. The students were particularly interested in the diversity of the business sectors in which SGS operates and in its core activity, inspection. Adil Saoud, Certification Manager, SGS Morocco, also presented the “SGS Academy” to them, which offers professional development training and customised training solutions to companies to enable them to keep up with industry trends and changing technological standards and regulations.

CRI, the body for investing better in Morocco

Cordially welcomed by the administrative team of the Regional Investment Centre, the students were able to discover this institution thanks to the various presentations given to them. Its primary mission is to help and advise everyone (local and foreign) by providing them with the appropriate legal, tax and administrative information for investing in Morocco.

Islam: the specific features of its practice in Morocco

At the University’s request, the students were also able to attend a presentation session on Islam and its fundamental principles, as well as the specific features of its practice in Morocco.

Day 5

An instructive and relaxed visit to Swissport

The students will not soon forget their visit to Swissport Morocco. The welcome given to them by its CEO, Mr Christophe de Figueiredo, had a lot to do with it. During his presentation, in which he mentioned with humour that he was the only foreigner among his 649 Moroccan employees, he introduced the company’s activities, backed up by key figures. The students thus got a closer look at this world leader in airport services. The visit concluded with the traditional presentation of a gift (Swiss chocolate) by the students to the Director of Swissport.

ABB, discovering innovation

A brief address by Mr Khaled Torbey, Managing Director of ABB Morocco, and his team immediately allowed the students to learn more about ABB’s main areas of activity. The company’s partnership with Formula E, its strong involvement in COP22, its manufacture of the world’s first collaborative robot and its various investments in the renewable energy sector were then presented to them. The students were impressed by these various innovation-related themes!

A meeting between students at ISCAE

Warmly received by the students and professors of ISCAE, our guests were able to visit the University’s spacious campuses, the amphitheatre and the large conference hall. Afterwards, Mr Abdellah Amallah, professor of economics at ISCAE, gave the guests a presentation on Morocco’s economic prospects and its relations with the World Bank, the AfDB (African Development Bank) and the EIB (European Investment Bank). The visit ended in a friendly atmosphere with fruitful exchanges between the students of the two schools, over delicious dishes prepared in their honour.