Rabat, Morocco. Moroccan nationals who studied at universities in northern Cyprus protested outside parliament in Rabat on Wednesday over the government’s decision to stop recognising degrees awarded in the island’s northern third.
Policy change and its impact
Moroccan authorities had historically accepted that degrees issued in northern Cyprus were equivalent to those issued in Morocco and elsewhere when returning Moroccans applied for equivalence certificates, considering them validated by Turkey’s higher education council (Yok).
That changed in 2024 with immediate effect, leaving Moroccans already in Cyprus and those who graduated in 2023 and 2024 unable to have their degrees validated upon returning to Morocco.
Committee coordinator cites foreign ministry letter
Ashraf Khattab, who studied pharmacy at the Cyprus International University in Mia Milia and serves as coordinator of a committee of graduates, students, and parents formed to protest the decision, told local newspaper Sawt Al Maghrib that the policy shift stemmed from a letter sent from Morocco’s foreign ministry to its education ministry.
He said the letter called for a halt to recognition of degrees issued in northern Cyprus on the grounds that the universities are located in an area with a political status not recognised by the United Nations or internationally.
Students and graduates dispute the decision
Khattab described the decision as unfair, saying the universities are not new, have respected placements in global rankings, are subject to evaluation by specialised international bodies, and are linked to the Turkish education system and recognised by Turkey’s higher education council (Yok).
He said more than 3,000 Moroccan students have been affected, including those who said they inquired before registering and were assured that equivalence would not be a problem. He also said the impacted graduates had suffered “administrative injustice” and called for urgent government intervention to find a fair solution for all students and graduates.
Efforts to overturn the decision
Khattab said campaigners have spent nine months contacting government departments, filing complaints with political parties and parliament, and submitting a complaint to Morocco’s ombudsman.
He said there have been no positive developments and that uncertainty has increased as the number of affected graduates grows without official clarification or a statement.
How do you think Moroccan authorities should address the concerns of students and graduates affected by the recognition halt?