Euromed University of Fes welcomes the new MENA Director-General of the European Commission, H.E. Mr. Stefano Sannino

As part of his official visit to Morocco from May 12 to 14, 2025, His Excellency Mr. Stefano Sannino, Director-General for the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf (DG MENA) at the European Commission, honored Euromed University of Fes (UEMF) with his presence on Wednesday, May 14. Accompanied by Her Excellency Ms. Patricia Llombart Cussac, Ambassador of the European Union to Morocco, Mr. Sannino included this stop in a tour dedicated to consultations on the New Pact for the Mediterranean. This strategic project aims to reinvent and strengthen cooperation between Europe and its southern Mediterranean partners. Furthermore, since its creation, UEMF has been endorsed by the Union for the Mediterranean with the support of its 43 member countries and has benefited from the unwavering support of the European Union and the European Investment Bank, the University's longstanding partners.

Welcomed by the President of UEMF, Professor Mostapha Bousmina, and accompanied by a high-level delegation, the guests discovered the achievements of this unique eco-campus. Symbolizing a forward-looking vision, UEMF is a true center of excellence combining architectural innovation, environmental sustainability and technological performance. Among the facilities that particularly captivated the visitors:

• A sports complex with four floors and ultramodern facilities, including an Olympic-sized pool, a semi-Olympic pool, a football pitch certified to FIFA standards, and multisport and relaxation areas with a sauna, a yoga room and a climbing wall.
• A conference center with a capacity of 3,500 seats, designed to host events of international scope.
•    A three-story library , providing a space conducive to research and learning.
 

Mediterranean youth at the heart of the debates:

Highlight of this visit, an interactive and inspiring dialogue with UEMF students made it possible to address crucial issues for the future of both shores of the Mediterranean: education, mobility, employment, climate and university cooperation. This exchange revealed the energy, creativity and aspirations of a Moroccan youth firmly committed to building a sustainable and inclusive future.

A model of Euro-Mediterranean cooperation:

Based on the values of living together, innovation and regional cooperation, UEMF embodies an ambitious vision of a united, inclusive Mediterranean oriented toward the future. The visit of the MENA Director General highlighted the university’s major strategic axes, its commitment to excellence in education and its interregional cooperation projects. “ The Euromed University of Fes is a true living laboratory of Euro-Mediterranean dialogue, where innovation and cooperation combine to respond to the challenges of our time ”, said Prof. Mostapha Bousmina.

Heritage and vision: at the roots of knowledge:

The visit concluded with an immersion in the historic medina of Fez, a true jewel of world heritage, and a symbolic visit to Al-Qarawiyyine University, the oldest university institution in the world. This moment rich in symbols recalled the timeless importance of knowledge, culture and dialogue in bringing peoples closer together and strengthening strategic partnerships.