Academic Partnerships
Academic Partnerships
We are firm believers in experiential learning, and our research partnerships are no exception. We deeply value research and seek to facilitate immersive avenues of exploration.
Valuable Research Opportunities
Through our partnerships with universities around the world, we host students in master's and PhD programs, provide in-depth knowledge of local context, and support access to villages, programs, and previous research.
Students have conducted in-depth field anthropology studies, examined the intersection of gender, culture, and power, explored the impact of the participatory process in development work, and studied other aspects of the environmental and social sciences. In return, we benefit from the knowledge that touches on our areas of work, helping us continually improve processes and expand our ability to work toward positive change.
Our partnerships strengthen students’ capacities, volunteerism, and employability — all of which impact their abilities and confidence to pursue their chosen endeavors.
As an organization that facilitates a variety of sustainable development projects in different parts of the country, we are an ideal partner for universities interested in providing their students with real-world experience and research opportunities in multiple areas of sustainable development.
“Humility and discovery were the biggest takeaways from this internship, as I was able to find out more about myself as well as learn compassion from others. The High Atlas Foundation created a platform for me to advocate for historically silenced voices and delve deeper into my career interests.”
Anya, Intern
“This experience really stuck with me. My time working with the High Atlas Foundation had many good memories: the long bus rides throughout the countryside, the intimate dialogues and beautiful ceremonies with government officials and university students, the meals, the hours at the office. I learned that despite the doubt and failure, nothing will be accomplished without trying.”
Ryan, Intern
"Through my research on the work of HAF, Moroccan education policies, and our participatory development course, I’ve learned that you can tackle an array of issues through finding support within the community, and that building from the ground-up can create a long-term effect on the lives of citizens and children."
Intern, 2023
"I would be speaking with dishonesty if I said it didn’t sometimes feel small and inconsequential. However, when I put myself into the shoes of the people I’m helping within HAF, I understand my usefulness. At the end of the day, I am a student/intern that is here to learn how to make a change in the world."
Intern, 2021
"An unexpected aspect about writing this first article that I found was the flexibility and freedom that I had to incorporate my own personal interests into the research and writing... My writing felt more engaged, the research felt more in-depth, and the article, overall, felt more accurate because I was genuinely concerned with accurately and fully discussing the topic at hand."
Intern, 2021
"I love that everything I do with HAF is driven from a deep well of purpose, and from now I choose to focus on this as an opportunity to live from a state of truth, shedding the fear that I might not be enough."
Intern, 2021
"Through my research on the work of HAF, Moroccan education policies, and our participatory development course, I’ve learned that you can tackle an array of issues through finding support within the community, and that building from the ground-up can create a long-term effect on the lives of citizens and children."
Intern, 2023
"Because women’s empowerment and training has been in every corner of my life for as long as I’ve known, it’s something I’ve glossed over or not considered one of my top priorities. However, working at HAF and observing Imagine has shown me the importance of women’s empowerment. It’s a foundational piece to a lot of issues that HAF deals with and is the often glanced over key component to a bottoms-up participatory development approach."
Intern, 2023
“Deciphering effective mechanisms for long‑term growth … involves … women empowerment, clean drinking water, and planting trees … Planting trees … promises a greener, more vibrant, and interconnected future for Moroccan communities.”
Zuha Afzal, Intern
“Alone I can save my trees, but together we can save the heritage of our children.”
Zuha Afzal, Intern
“Many people are not aware that they are victims of human trafficking, even when they are … Our role … is to guide these people, providing them with legal aid … so that they … understand their situation … and … their rights … to help them remove themselves [from their situation].”
Nicole Luz, Intern
“Unfortunately, a slave trade still exists today … Our goal … is not only to aid victims but also … to help other people so that they may not become victims as well.”
Nicole Luz, Intern
“Water stress … causes deterioration of fresh water resources … such deterioration … have a harmful influence on ecosystems and communities.”
Megan Sprotte & Megan Williams, Interns
“Poor rural agriculturalists … will be the hardest hit … This will result in … a decreased ability to cope and recover … from damage suffered.”
Megan Sprotte & Megan Williams, Interns
“The value of exchange among diverse agricultural practitioners has been made abundantly clear … HAF focuses on the participatory approach where communities determine their own development.”
Olufunmilayo Aiyegbusi, Intern
“A Village in Morocco … will go a long way in providing jobs … a steady means of livelihood, and poverty alleviation for families.”
Olufunmilayo Aiyegbusi, Intern
“HAF engages women in rural communities to plant organic fruit trees that build food security and reduce carbon emissions.”
Shivani Lakshman, Intern
“Through a participatory development approach, HAF … works to improve women’s project management, decision‑making, and leadership capacities … empowering them to initiate changes in their communities …”
Shivani Lakshman, Intern
“I had the opportunity to meet many of the boys who already benefit from this project. … The nursery allows them to practically learn about the importance of agriculture. … By learning practically, the boys quickly become experts. … They are encouraged because they know they are gaining valuable skill sets for their future.”
Caleb Tisdale, Intern
“A marginalized section of the population has an opportunity to become productive members of society. … they have hopeful futures.”
Caleb Tisdale, Intern
“There is a clear solution: human development.”
Caleb Tisdale, Intern
“One focus of the Oummat Salaam Initiative is to provide chances to develop agricultural skills … Young men will gain knowledge and skills associated with: ‘organic agriculture … installing water efficiency systems … organic processing … cooperative creation …’”
Caleb Tisdale, Intern
“When given these types of experiences, these young men will create a path for themselves … increase the likelihood of rehabilitation, reintegration, and contributions to communities.”
Caleb Tisdale, Intern
“It is one thing to preach about the great benefit from planting organic fruit trees, but it is another thing to see a fellow community member go through the process and benefit. … By means of this snowball effect, deep long‑lasting changes can be made, new traditions can be forged, and development at the local level can be realized.”
Sarita Mehta, Intern
“To be human is to be averse to change, to be scared. We are drawn to the familiar, the tried and trusted … sometimes we just need the thumbs up … before making a leap of faith.”
Sarita Mehta, Intern
“As Europe closed borders … undocumented migrants … remained stuck … without living spaces or sources of income … leaving some to take shelter in gyms or out on the streets … some even attempting to swim into Morocco … as a last resort. Migrant workers … are more vulnerable to permanent job loss and deportation … Without a source of income, some do not eat every day, and others skip meals. Organizations like the High Atlas Foundation … offer some solutions. … will provide pro‑bono legal aid … to migrants … victims of trafficking, young people, and women.”
Jacqueline Skalski‑Fouts, Intern
“We must preserve Morocco’s rich cultural heritage … and celebrate interfaith cooperation … to build a more inclusive future.”
Jacqueline Skalski‑Fouts, Intern
“The High Atlas Foundation … offers a method of reducing rural poverty by providing farmers with natural‑grown fruit and nut trees to diversify and boost local incomes.”
Jacqueline Skalski‑Fouts, Intern
“HAF nurseries use land donated … to grow seeds within these nurseries, keeping the process within the community … Then tree saplings are sold at reduced prices to local farmers … planted, and monitored for proper growth.”
Jacqueline Skalski‑Fouts, Intern
Our Moroccan Partners
We build networks of empowered, skilled individuals by partnering with Moroccan universities. These partnerships have launched Centers for Sustainable Development — hubs for participatory democratic citizenry tailored to local needs.
Al-Akhawayn University in Ifrane (AUI)
École de Hautes Études Économiques et Commerciales (HEEC) in Marrakech
Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II (IAV HII) and the Jeunes Leaders Marocains (JLM) in Rabat
University Hassan II, College of Law, Economics, and Social Sciences in Mohammedia
University Mohamed I, Center for Human and Social Studies and Research in Oujda
University Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah and the Association des Experts Bénévoles pour le Développement in Fes
Ecole Supérieure de Management de Télécommunications d’Informatique in Beni-Mellal
Université Cadi Ayyad Marrakech (UCA)
Université Ibn Zohr (UIZ)
Additional Partners
We are proud to have collaborated with renowned academic institutions from around the world.
University Partners
Let's Collaborate
Are you looking for ways to expand global learning opportunities with your students? We get excited about designing academic programs, internships, and visits to fit your needs.