From Morocco to Leiden: NIMAR temporarily partly in the Netherlands
NIMAR, the Netherlands Institute Morocco, has embarked on a new path of initiating dialogues between Moroccan and Dutch scientists. With a hybrid programme, the institute is temporarily bringing Morocco to the Netherlands.
Now that corona makes it difficult for students to get acquainted with Morocco physically, the institute is temporarily taking a new path, partly in Leiden. ‘We try to introduce our students to Moroccan culture, language and history in a fun and interesting way', says Nadia Bouras, representative of NIMAR. ‘By bringing NIMAR to the attention of students who do not immediately think of Morocco when they go abroad, we try to make them enthusiastic for a minor in Rabat.’
Hybrid education
Soukaina Chakkour and Salma Bouchiba, who normally work for NIMAR in Morocco, have come to the Netherlands to lecture to students on campus. ‘NIMAR has aptly prepared for this scenario,’ states Bouchiba, ‘keeping the best interest of the students in mind. We teach the students on-campus, as well as organizing masterclasses relating to Moroccan culture, arts and politics in order to prepare the students for the second part of the semester which would hopefully take place in Rabat, Morocco.’
Chakkour: ‘The courses that are taking part on-campus are in principle the same courses that would take place in Rabat, Morocco at the Institute. Students are getting rigorous training in ethnographic methods, qualitative research as well as the Course: Case Studies on Moroccan Culture and Society. For this latter course, NIMAR has engaged various scholars from Leiden University whose research and work is pertinent to Moroccan society and culture. This course is multidisciplinary and allow students to gain a good understanding of different aspects of Culture and Society in Morocco including History, Amazigh Culture and Arts, Migration, and Gender. As part of this course, NIMAR is organising a rich cultural programme that is a series of Masterclasses, which include movies and discussions, engaging Moroccan artists, writers and performers in order to bring NIMAR's students closer to Moroccan culture.’
In addition, various activities and courses will be led from Rabat. Arabic and French language courses, for example, will be provided from there. NIMAR expects this combination of activities to benefit the students, who will be able to build up their network and increase their learning perspectives.
Seeking cooperation
The presence of the NIMAR staff in Leiden also offers opportunities. Bouras: 'NIMAR is there for all students in Leiden and beyond. Our educational programmes are multidisciplinary, which is why we work together with various Leiden institutes. Moreover, NIMAR works closely with various university institutes and Dutch-based experts in the field of Moroccan and North African societies to build up future perspectives for scientific and research activities in Morocco.’
About NIMAR
Leiden University is a leading institute in the field of area studies in the Netherlands and in Europe, and NIMAR is of great importance within this mission. The institute has attracted students interested in North African and Middle Eastern society and culture in a variety of disciplinary fields. Located in North Africa, the institute makes an important contribution to academic and non-academic exchange, and mediates dialogue between Dutch students and Moroccan students.