Dean's welcome note
The world is going through the most serious pandemic in contemporary history. It seems unlikely that this deadly virus, Covid-19, will fade away soon, and so we are compelled to learn to live with it until an effective vaccine has been produced. The Kingdom of Morocco was wise to take urgent precautionary measures, which kept the country safe and helped prevent the worst scenarios. Thanks to the collaborative spirit of the Moroccan people and state actors and the mobilization of private and state institutions, including schools and universities, Morocco has been able to maintain its security and stability.
In this context of comprehensive mobilization, the Faculty of Letters and Humanities, in line with the general orientations of the presidency of Abdelmalek Essaadi University, has been involved, with dedication and self-denial, in the collaborative effort to implement the strategic action-plans defined by his Majesty and enacted by the Prime Minister’s office and the Ministry of Higher Education. The ultimate goal of these plans and precautionary measures is to maintain the sustainability of essential administrative services and the safety of students, professors and administrators, by suspending in-class lectures and activities and sustaining the continuity of online teaching and supervision of research projects as well as vital administrative services.
I seize this opportunity to express my sincere thanks and gratitude to all the professors who did not hesitate to answer the call of duty, and actively got engaged in online course-planning and lecturing sessions and enriched our institution’s digital database with lectures, workshops and activities, using various technological resources for the benefits of students. In these difficult circumstances, I should not miss the chance to commend their leading role as a way of expressing pride in their national belonging.
I also highly acknowledge the great work of the administrative staff, who work diligently to ensure the continuity of essential functions and services, with full responsibility and strict compliance with the existing precautionary terms.
Finally, I would like to commend the positive spirit of the students who have strictly observed quarantine measures and engaged in distance learning processes with a great sense of commitment and responsibility, ensuring their physical safety and the fulfillment of their academic obligations.
I have no doubt we will overcome the difficulties caused by the Coronavirus Covid-19 Pandemic, and we will return to college stronger than before, thanks to the values of solidarity, sacrifice and selflessness, which we have commonly received.
Despite the difficult circumstances we are going through, the quarantine period is a real opportunity not only to reflect upon our teaching philosophy, academic training and the feasibility of the various digital resources available today, but also to pose new questions corresponding to the post-Coronavirus world changes and global transformations.
May Allah bless you and keep you safe!
Professor Mustafa El Gashi,
Dean of Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Tetouan.