Moroccan students' Ukrainian engineering degree validation issue returns to discussion table

Moroccan students who pursued architectural engineering degrees in Ukrainian universities are facing continued challenges in getting their qualifications recognized in Morocco. A recent meeting in Rabat brought together representatives from the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation, the advisor to the Ukrainian ambassador in Morocco, and the president of the National Association of Parents of Moroccan Students in Ukraine to discuss the ongoing issue.

The core of the problem lies in the validation of architectural engineering degrees awarded by Ukrainian universities to Moroccan students, many of whom completed their studies remotely following the outbreak of the war between Ukraine and Russia. The Ukrainian side affirmed that residency certificates issued before February 24, 2022, remain legally valid and have provided supporting documents to the Moroccan ministry.

This meeting, held at the Ministry of Higher Education, aims to resolve the stalemate that has affected Moroccan students returning from Ukraine. While degrees for the 2023 and 2024 graduating classes, including those who studied remotely, have been validated, the issue has resurfaced for the 2025 cohort. Morocco plans to provide the Ministry of National Territory Planning, Urbanism, Housing and City Policy with the necessary documents, exploring the possibility of another meeting to finalize the validation process.

Representatives from the parents' association stressed the urgency of resolving this matter to ensure students can access their academic and professional rights. The discussion also focused on overcoming the obstacles to validating these degrees, with a decision to hold a follow-up meeting with the housing and urban planning ministry to present evidence of the continued legal validity of student residency permits issued up to February 24, 2022.