Al Akhawayn University Set to Open New Residence Hall in Fall 2013

Al Akhawayn University to Open New Residence Hall Fall 2013

A new residential hall came to light at Al Akhawayn University campus. Inaugurated on June 15, 2013, by members of the university’s Board of Trustees, Building 39 is set to open to students in Fall 2013.

The expansion of housing capacity has been one of the key challenges for Al Akhawayn University’s strategic objectives. With a growing student population, strengthening campus infrastructure while continuing to provide a high-quality college experience becomes a priority. Building 39 can accommodate over 280 students. Along the same lines, other projects that will soon see the day include the expansion of campus facilities and other resources to reach a total annual student population of 2,000 by 2015.

“A distinctive feature of Al Akhawayn is its rich student and residential life,” said Cherif Bel Fekih, Vice President for Student Affairs. “Increasing our housing capacity allows us to offer more students comfort as well as opportunities for growth.”

The five-story building includes 282 beds, roughly a fifth of the total student housing capacity, and several housing options. Building 39 includes 106 double rooms, 22 single rooms, 21 studios, and four double rooms for students with disabilities. Each room is fully equipped with beds, desks, storage space, closets, seats, tables and en-suite bathrooms. The residence hall also includes two community lounges, laundry services, two lifts, and the Housing Services main office.

Building 39 is the only dorm on campus offers suitable options for students with disabilities, and is the only one to have integrated advanced systems of fire detection, security, en-suite IP phones, and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) room access. The parking lot around the building can accommodate over 70 cars.

“The construction of the 9,514-square-meter housing complex started at the end of May 2011 and went faster than expected in spite of weather constraints and the scarcity of labor in the region,” said Said Nouamani, Chargé de Mission at Al Akhawayn University. “Now we have reached the final step in this project, in terms of deadline and the particularity of the construction,”

Overlooking a large expanse of evergreens, Al Akhawayn’s new residence hall is unique and is envisioned as a comfortable place for students to interact with each other and study together in a place they could call “Home”.