Our History
Formally known as the Community Service Program, the CIP began in the fall semester of 2005 in the same year that HRM King Mohamed VI launched his own drive to fight poverty and empower communities through the creation of his National Initiative for Human Development (INDH). From 2005 up until the present day, Al Akhawayn students have collectively spent over 65,000 fieldwork hours de
dicated towards community action under the umbrella of our Community Involvement Program. With only 30 campus – community partnerships established during 2005 – 2007, students can now have access to a database of over 330 sites for where to do their fieldwork including internationally based partners in Africa, Europe, China and North America. We recently changed our program’s name from Community Service to Community Involvement because we believe it promotes greater participation, and less of the “us” and “them”. When you get involved in a project that a community itself has identified as a need, you can realize how your skills, resources and time can be useful to that community. And when you’re useful you become an active member within the team, a piece of the puzzle, a branch on the tree, a step on the ladder. Community Involvement is a two way learning process where prejudices can be broken down, leadership harnessed, teamwork fostered and positive results achieved. It is an opportunity for self-discovery as well as to better understand those around you.
