Marrakech - The Superior Institute for Science and Technology (SIST) British University was founded in 2001 and has partnerships with two British Universities: the University of Sunderland and Cardiff Metropolitan University. They offer Moroccans and students of other nationalities the opportunity to receive a full, internationally-recognized British University degree even if they are not in the United Kingdom.
As SIST President Dr Tariq Obaid says, SIST gives students the chance to obtain a full British University degree without the expense of traveling to Britain, where the cost of living is extremely high and one must obtain a student visa. Moreover, it also enables the student to receive an equivalent Moroccan degree at the same time. The idea of being awarded two degrees is, as Dr Obaid comments, unusual.
This program is possible not only because SIST is fully accredited by the Moroccan Ministry of Education, but also because it conforms to quality control procedures by the Moroccan Ministry of Higher Education, the University of Sunderland, and Cardiff Metropolitan University. Another cooperation agreement with the University of Coventry for science and technology education is being resolved.
SIST British University was established in Casablanca in 2001. SIST campuses opened in Rabat in 2011, Tangier in 2013, and the Marrakech campus will open in 2015. SIST currently has just under 1,000 students on campus, representing 35 different nationalities. It will provide education from the primary level to university degrees.
Antony Mallinson, the Business Support Director at SIST, points out that SIST is one of three Moroccan Universities to be involved in the EU Tempus program: it joins Hassan II University and the University of Cadi Ayad In Marrakech.
The curriculum of SIST is entirely in English, and there is a foundation course for learning English in conjunction with the British Council. The Quality Control Agency (QAA) in the UK, which controls all British University standards of higher education, also monitors SIST and the University is audited annually to ensure that it conforms to British University standards.
Students at SIST come under the same regulations as their counterparts in British universities. Indeed, if SIST students so wish, they may transfer to the UK to complete their three-year degree without any restrictions. Furthermore, examination boards are conducted at the end of each semester exactly as they are in the UK.
Three year Bachelor’s degrees are awarded in Marketing Management, Business Management, Tourism Management, Economics, Finance and Banking, Human Resources, Information Systems Management, and Applied Business Computing. SIST also offers Master’s degrees in Information Technology and Computing. The degree programs are designed to equip graduates to find well-paid, high-level jobs after graduation.
SIST admission standards are high and the number of accepted students is limited. All student applicants must have a High School Degree (BAC or equivalent), pass an entrance exam, and complete an interview.
Edited by Katrina Bushko
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