Universities will need to hold a stake of at least 51% in their spin-outs.
Morocco has released its draft bill to reform large aspects of its higher education. The new law would give universities and regions a greater degree of independence, and decentralise the management of higher education.
Importantly, the draft bill creates new rules for commercialisation. Universities will be completely tax-exempt and will be allowed to negotiate for public and private contracts. The bill also mandates that each university will receive its own technology transfer office.
Universities in the country will now need to hold a stake of at least 51% in all spin-outs, up from a previous 50%. On the other hand, universities will also be given the opportunity to set up foundations.
At the same time, the bill is also clamping down on private universities. These institutions will be legally barred from using names that are deemed too similar to those of public institutions. Being president of a private university will be mandated as a full-time job, and the holder cannot be in charge of any other organisation. If a private university should go bankrupt during an academic year, the government will have the right to select a different president. Following such an action, the university’s assets could not be seized during that year.
The draft bill is currently undergoing a review by a newly created advisory board, the Council of Higher Education.
