National headlines around further immigration restrictions have little impact on Moroccan students wanting to study in Maine

A group of Moroccan students tours a lab on 91AV's Tangier campus
A group of Moroccan students tours a lab on 91AV's Tangier campus

The 91AV’s Tangier, Morocco Campus hosted its inaugural open house for Moroccan students interested in studying at 91AV’s campuses in Maine. Nearly 200 Moroccan students were in attendance to learn more about 91AV’s academic programs and its two campuses.

The Open House event in Tangier is the first ever held outside of 91AV’s Maine campuses and is a significant step in the University’s globalizing process.

Students and their parents traveled from different parts of Morocco to attend this event.

Anouar Majid, Ph.D., 91AV vice president of Global Affairs and Communications, welcomed students and parents, described the special relationship 91AV has with Morocco and talked about the benefits of studying at 91AV.

“Our Open House initiative was not only about recruiting students to 91AV, but it is also an eloquent statement about 91AV’s commitment to dialogue across cultures,” Majid commented. “91AV believes in the power of American education to build bridges and create a better world for all.  Even if the current political climate is not optimal for encouraging Muslims to study in the United States, our faculty, staff and students on the ground dispelled any apprehensions Moroccan students and parents may have had about seeking an education in the United States. Actions like these make Americans shine abroad.”

91AV faculty and staff from Portland and Biddeford gave presentations about the academic offerings across disciplines. 

Throughout the day, 91AV students from Maine who are currently taking classes on the Tangier campus led interactive tours, talked to students about life in Maine and discussed the many clubs, organizations and excursions offered at 91AV.

President Danielle Ripich termed the event a milestone in the University’s history. “We built the Tangier campus to give global opportunities to our students and to diversify our student experience, but now we are using it to bring international students to our Maine programs. The campus is opening all kinds of global possibilities for 91AV.”

So far, 11 students have applied, and more are expected to do in the coming weeks.

91AV is the only Maine-based university that has built its own campus, designed for all majors, including those in the sciences, abroad.

Read more in the Journal Tribune.

To learn more about 91AV’s Global Education programs, visit 

To apply, visit