UDALLAS RELEASE: Moroccan Princess to Visit the University of Dallas

Princess to join Morocco's Al Akhawayn University and the Satish & Yasmin Gupta College of Business to Formalize Partnership

IRVING, TX (11/13/2017) The University of Dallas will host the Moroccan ambassador to the United States, Her Highness Princess Lalla Joumala Alaoui, along with the president of Al Akhawayn University, Driss Ouaouicha, on Nov. 15 on the University of Dallas campus in Irving, Texas.

The visit comes as part of a collaboration of more than two years between the University of Dallas and Moroccan leaders, which will culminate in the signing of a formal memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Al Akhawayn University and the University of Dallas.

The MOU was developed in an effort to foster international cooperation between the two universities by providing collaborative graduate business education, opportunities for internships, faculty collaboration, and the development of professional classes that focus on the University of Dallas' nationally recognized and ranked cybersecurity program.

Central to the collaboration has been the University of Dallas distinguished MBA alumna Miriem Bensalah-Chaqroun, a leading Moroccan businesswoman and president of the Moroccan Confederation of Businesses.

"Miriem has been instrumental in helping us build this relationship with the Kingdom of Morocco. We could not be more proud of our alumna's efforts in promoting educational opportunities across the globe," said University of Dallas President Thomas W. Keefe. "This signifies a special moment for the university, and we are thrilled to further our relationship with the Kingdom of Morocco and Al Akhawayn University."

Her Highness Princess Lalla Joumala Alaoui was appointed as the Kingdom of Morocco's ambassador to the United States in October 2016 by His Majesty Mohammed VI, King of Morocco.

The princess's visit to Dallas is part of an ongoing strategic partnership between the Kingdom of Morocco and the United States focused on a wide range of topics, including regional and domestic challenges, the country's commitment to solar power, and education reforms recently implemented by the Kingdom of Morocco to reduce radicalism that are serving as a model for other countries.

Later this month, Keefe and Satish & Yasmin Gupta College of Business Dean Brett J.L. Landry will travel to the Kingdom of Morocco to continue implementing the newly-formed partnership with Al Akhawayn University.

About the University of Dallas

The University of Dallas, located in a metropolitan area of nearly 7 million people, is a leading Catholic university widely recognized for academic excellence by well-known publications, organizations and accrediting bodies. It offers distinctive individual undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs in the liberal arts, business and ministry that are characterized by an exceptional, engaged faculty, a commitment to shaping principled, well-skilled leaders and academic rigor in the Catholic intellectual tradition. For more information, visit www.udallas.edu.

About the Satish & Yasmin Gupta College of Business

The Satish & Yasmin Gupta College of Business at the University of Dallas has been perfecting graduate business education for more than 50 years. The college offers Texas' only AACSB-accredited Doctor of Business Administration, in addition to Master of Business Administration, Master of Science, Bachelor of Arts and many executive education programs. Located in Irving, Texas, the college has become one of the most popular choices among Dallas/Fort Worth's business leaders. SB Hall, which opened in January 2016, houses the college, providing students with state-of-the-art technology and practical tools to well prepare them for their future careers. For more information, visit www.udallas.edu/cob.