HEC Maroc is 2 years old and already a powerhouse

The HEC Maroc association was founded in March 2023 by students eager to shine a spotlight on Morocco and promote its culture. In barely more than two years, they have gained visibility and influence, establishing themselves as a key player in student life on campus, driven by an inclusive vision and a highly ambitious development strategy. Through actions carried out on campus, including many conferences, and off campus, it now reaches beyond HEC.

During the 2024/2025 academic year, the 50 members of HEC Morocco worked on several fronts to promote their young association. Coming from diverse cultural backgrounds (Moroccan, Franco-Moroccan, Tunisian, Polish, etc.), they multiplied synergies with other groups such as HEC Africa, the German Society, HECèdres (Lebanon), and HEC Italia. Festive and cultural events were co-organized, such as the “World Dinner” in May. They also devised new initiatives inspired by an irresistible drive to raise awareness of this country in which they have their roots, or with which they quite simply have an affinity.

"Federate, inspire, and support Moroccan talent within the HEC network, while strengthening ties with our community."

Mohammed Hmamed (H.27), who assumed leadership of the association this year, was able to rely on his peers to overcome the serious challenges set out in their roadmap. Majda Lakhfif (H.25), one of the co-founders of HEC Morocco in 2023, devoted part of her commitment to promoting the School by participating in educational fairs in Morocco and France, with the aim of helping to broaden horizons.

They have also undertaken to support Moroccan students, facilitate their integration, and strengthen ties with alumni in Morocco and within the diaspora. For example, a discussion entitled "Trajectoire de vie" (Life Trajectory) with Othmane Mrabet (H.07), president of the Moroccan Alumni Chapter, has already taken place.

Word of mouth and better organization have enabled these students to reach a new milestone. Mohammed, as a member of the association last year, launched the "Maroc en mouvement" (Morocco on the Move) cycle to promote innovation in the country with events on campus.

Conference with Mehdi Bensaïd, Moroccan Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, on the HEC campus

An effective event strategy

Ilyan Berradi (H.27) joined the School that same year and has taken a special interest in this aspect of their work. After studying at Sciences Po and completing an internship at the Elysée Palace, he worked with other students to organize a series of conferences focusing on three themes: diplomatic challenges, Morocco's economic development and its soft power assets, and bilateral relations, featuring high-profile guests.

Among the conferences organized, the visit at the end of April by Mehdi Bensaïd, Moroccan Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, in France to attend the Paris Book Fair, where Morocco was the guest of honor, marked a turning point. The campus also welcomed representatives from the business world, such as Moncef Belkhayat and Ayman Cheikh Lahlou, as well as influential figures such as Abdelmalek Alaoui and Taoufik Mouline. A literary café was also held with Zineb Mekouar (M.16) to discuss her latest novel, which is set in the High Atlas Mountains.

A strong commitment for a lasting impact

HEC Maroc is now inspiring other schools (Polytechnique, ESCP, Sorbonne) to follow suit. Its conferences have been open to the general public, attracting increasingly large audiences. One indicator of their success is the increase in followers on their Instagram account from 700 to over 9,000. Ilyan's wish is clear: he would like HEC Maroc to become “a key player in [bilateral] strategic dialogue, like university associations such as Oxford,” in short, an essential forum for debate whose voice matters.

To ensure its future, the association is building on a carefully considered transition. The 2025/2026 board has been selected on the basis of motivation and experience; its mission will be to safeguard the legacy it inherits, while continuing to expand it.