{{Short description|University in Marrakesh, Morocco}} {{Infobox university | name = Cadi Ayyad University | native_name = جامعة القاضي عياض | native_name_lang = ar | image_name = Cadi_Ayyad_University_Logo.png | image_size = 120px | image_alt = | caption = | latin_name = | motto = | motto_lang = | mottoeng = | established = {{Start date and age|1978}} | closed = | type = | affiliation = | endowment = | budget = | officer_in_charge = | chairman = | chancellor = | president = Pr. Moulay Lhassan HBID | vice-president = | superintendent = | provost = | vice_chancellor = | rector = | principal = | dean = | director = | head_label = | head = | academic_staff = 1,519 | administrative_staff = 801 | students = 102,000 | undergrad = | postgrad = | doctoral = | other = | address = Abdelkrim Khattabi Avenue | city = [[Marrakesh]] | state = [[Marrakesh-Safi]] | province = | postalcode = 40000 | country = [[Morocco]] | coor = {{coord|31.666|-8.000|type:edu_region:MA|display=inline,title}} | campus = | former_names = | free_label = | free = | colors = | colours = | athletics = | sports = | nickname = | mascot = | affiliations = | website = {{URL|https://www.uca.ma}} | logo = }}
'''Cadi Ayyad University''' ({{Langx|ar|جامعة القاضي عياض|jāmiʿat al-qāḍī ʿayyāḍ}}, {{langx|fr|Université Cadi Ayyad}}), also known as the '''University of Marrakesh''', is a public [[University|university]] in [[Morocco]] and one of the largest higher education institutions in the country.
Established in 1978, the university operates a network of institutions across the [[Marrakesh-Safi]] region, with campuses located in [[Marrakesh]], [[Kalaat Sraghna]], [[Essaouira]] and [[Safi, Morocco|Safi]].<ref name=Cad>{{cite web|url=http://www.uca-en.ucam.ac.ma/the-university/rub-18.php|title=The University|publisher=Cadi Ayyad University|access-date=28 October 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103092931/http://www.uca-en.ucam.ac.ma/the-university/rub-18.php|archive-date=3 November 2012}}</ref>
Among its affiliated institutions is the [[École nationale des sciences appliquées de Marrakech]] (ENSA Marrakech), established in 2000 by the [[Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation|Ministry of Higher Education]] and specializing in engineering education and scientific research.
== Academic structure ==
Since its establishment in 1978, Cadi Ayyad University has developed a network of higher education institutions across the Marrakesh-Safi region.<ref name=Cad/> These include:
* Faculty of Sciences Semlalia (FSSM) * Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences * Faculty of Law, Economic and Social Sciences (FSJES) * Faculty of Sciences and Techniques (FST) * Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Marrakesh (FMPM) * National School of Applied Sciences of Marrakesh (ENSA-M) * National School of Commerce and Management (ENCG) * École normale supérieure (ENS) of Marrakesh * École supérieure de technologie of Essaouira (ESTE) * University Center of Kalaat Sraghna (CUKS) (2007–2008) * École supérieure de technologie * Faculté polydisciplinaire (2003–2004) * National School of Applied Sciences of Safi (ENSA Safi) (2003–2004)
The number of students enrolled in Marrakesh is reported to be 41,669.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scholaro.com/u/Cadi-Ayyad-University-26057|title=Cadi Ayyad University (UCA)|publisher=Education Database|access-date=29 October 2012}}</ref>
== Astronomy ==
As part of the [[Morocco Oukaimeden Sky Survey]] (MOSS) project, Cadi Ayyad University has contributed to the discovery of several astronomical objects, including comets and a [[Near-Earth object|near-Earth object]] (NEO). The university also lent its name to the asteroid [[(200020) Cadi Ayyad|2007 NQ3]], in reference to [[Cadi Ayyad]].
The first major discovery was the comet [[P/2011 W2 (Rinner)]], observed on 25 November 2011 using a 500 mm [[telescope]] at the Oukaimeden Observatory. Another comet, {{mpl|C/2012 CH|17}} (MOSS), was identified in February 2012.<ref>[http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/mpec/K12/K12C48.html Minor Planet Center K12C48]</ref>
A near-Earth asteroid was also detected during the night of 15–16 November 2011 using a telescope associated with the MOSS project.<ref name=Cad/>
A third comet, initially designated {{mpl|P/2013 CE|31}}, was discovered in January 2013 and later assigned a permanent designation.<ref>[http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/mpec/K13/K13D23.html Minor Planet Center K13D23]</ref>
== Notable alumni == * [[Khadijetou Lekweiry]], virologist
== See also == * [[List of universities in Morocco]] * [[Education in Morocco]]
== References == {{Reflist}}
=== Bibliography === *{{cite book|last1=Arino|first1=O.|last2=Hbid|first2=M.L.|last3=Dads|first3=E. Ait|title=Delay Differential Equations and Applications: Proceedings of the NATO Advanced Study Institute held in Marrakech, Morocco, 9-21 September 2002|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rKtyAnqCC6MC&pg=PR21|date=22 September 2006|publisher=Springer|isbn=978-1-4020-3645-3|page=xxi}} *{{cite book|last1=Casas |first1=Joseph|last2=Solh |first2=Mahmoud|last3=Hafez|first3=Hala|title=The National Agricultural Research Systems in West Asia and North Africa Region|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_AYjaYoJdREAC|page=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_AYjaYoJdREAC/page/n81 74] |year=1999|publisher=ICARDA|isbn=978-92-9127-096-5}}
== External links == {{commons category}} *[https://www.uca.ma Official site]
{{Marrakesh}} {{EPUF}} {{Téthys Consortium}}
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[[Category:Cadi Ayyad University]] [[Category:1978 establishments in Morocco]] [[Category:Universities and colleges established in 1978]] [[Category:Buildings and structures in Marrakesh]] [[Category:20th-century architecture in Morocco]]