SEC

06/04/2026

06/04/2026

🇲🇦🤝🇧🇪 USMBA × VIVES | Exchange Week on Inclusive Entrepreneurship — Kortrijk, Belgium
From March 28 to April 3 - 2026, 16 students from Université Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah – Fez, members of the Student Entrepreneurship Center (SEC) and representing FSJES, FMP, Faculty of Sciences, and ENCG, took part in the USMBA–VIVES Exchange Week on Inclusive Entrepreneurship, organized by VIVES University of Applied Sciences in Kortrijk, Belgium as part of the Erasmus+ program.

An immersive, intercultural and deeply human learning experience. On the agenda:
✅ Field visits to impact-driven organizations — social economy, social entrepreneurship, territorial innovation ✅ Inspiring encounters with female entrepreneurs who are reshaping the rules ✅ Collaborative work in mixed Moroccan-Belgian teams, from idea to final pitch ✅ Five days to learn, create, question, start over — and grow.

This collective adventure was coordinated by Prof. Asmae Diani, Director of the SEC, supervised by Prof. Mohammed Bouzlafa, Dean of FSJES, and enriched by the precious participation of Prof. Hicham Ed'dahmouny.

🙏 A heartfelt thank you to the team at VIVES University of Applied Sciences for their exceptional welcome and the remarkable program they offered — the details of which we will share in upcoming posts.
Special Thanks to : Prof. Lieve Van Der Schueren, Prof. Ann Vandenbroucke, Prof. Marijke Defour, Prof. Filip Vanderbeken and all the entrepreneurs who welcomed us into their organizations and those who shared their stories with us.

🌍 Our students came home transformed, and that is exactly why international mobility matters.



🇲🇦🤝🇧🇪 USMBA × VIVES | Semaine d'échange sur l'Entrepreneuriat Inclusif — Kortrijk, Belgique
Du 28 mars au 3 avril, 16 étudiants de l'Université Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah – Fès, membres du Student Entrepreneurship Center (SEC), et représentant la FSJES, la FMP, la Faculté des Sciences et l'ENCG, ont participé à la semaine d'échange USMBA–VIVES sur l'Entrepreneuriat Inclusif, organisée par VIVES University of Applied Sciences à Kortrijk, Belgique dans le cadre d’un programme Erasmus+.

Une expérience d’apprentissage immersive, interculturelle et profondément humaine
Au programme : ✅ Des visites d'organisations à impact — économie solidaire, entrepreneuriat social, innovation territoriale ✅ Des rencontres inspirantes avec des entrepreneuses qui font bouger les lignes ✅ Un travail en équipes mixtes maroco-belges, du concept au pitch final ✅ Cinq jours pour apprendre, créer, douter, recommencer — et grandir.

Cette aventure collective a été coordonnée par Pr. Asmae Diani, Directrice du SEC, supervisée par Pr. Mohammed Bouzlafa, Doyen de la FSJES, et enrichie par la précieuse participation du Pr. Hicham Ed-Dahmouny.

🙏 Un immense merci à l'équipe de VIVES University of Applied Sciences pour leur accueil exceptionnel et le riche programme offert, dont nous vous livrerons les détails dans des posts à venir. Nos remerciements s’adressent spécialement à Prof. Lieve Van Der Schueren, Prof. Ann Vandenbroucke, Prof. Marijke Defour, Prof. Filip Vanderbeken et à tous les entrepreneurs qui nous ont reçu dans leurs organisations et à ceux qui ont généreusement partagé avec nous leurs parcours.

🌍 Nos étudiants sont revenus transformés. Et c'est exactement pour ça que la mobilité internationale a du sens.

12/12/2025

08/12/2025

Intensive innovation sprint for 2 days where ideas come to life !
An opportunity for our students to become poblem-solvers, innovators, and creative thinkers, to learn how to collaborate, create and compete !

25/11/2025

SEC contributed to the Venture Adventures event, hosted by Al Akhawayn University from November 20-22, 2025.

Over the course of the event, we witnessed 32 promising projects pitched by talented students and aspiring entrepreneurs. The diversity of ideas and the passion behind each presentation was truly remarkable. After intensive evaluation sessions, 11 finalists were selected to move forward in the competition.

We were deeply impressed by the quality of the projects and the commitment of the participants to address real challenges through innovative solutions. The energy, determination, and willingness to learn from these young entrepreneurs remind me why supporting the next generation of changemakers is so crucial.

Congratulations to all the finalists and participants. Bravo to the mentors and investors for their great work. Events like Venture Adventures are essential for building dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystems and fostering the innovation our region needs.

Thank you to Al Akhawayn University and the great team of the Employability and Entrepreneurship Office fore organizing this outstanding initiative and for the opportunity to contribute to nurturing entrepreneurial talent.

15/11/2025

🏆 Yesterday, we closed the 2nd edition of Start-Up Week not in a classroom, but where it matters most—at Cité de l'Innovation, surrounded by the energy of creation and possibility.

Yassine Bentaleb (CEO, Foodeals) & F.Z Elazrak (Rand-Coop) started with their storytelling’s. They shared the pivots, the setbacks, the moments of doubt, and the breakthroughs that kept them going. Their journeys proved what we've been saying all week: entrepreneurship is learnable, sustainable, and absolutely possible for Moroccan graduates.

Nourredine Regragui (CSR Manager, LafargeHolcim Fès-Meknès) connected the dots between corporate social responsibility and territorial development. His message? Businesses don't just operate in territories—they shape them. And entrepreneurs who understand this intersection create not just profitable ventures, but sustainable impact.

Then came the pitches. One by one, our teams took the stage. The transformation was visible—from Monday's rough ideas to yesterday's polished, confident presentations. They pitched problems they'd researched, solutions they'd validated, markets they understood, and asks they could justify.

Yes, we awarded three trophies to the standout projects. They earned it. But let's talk about what everyone else walked away with: ✓ A network of mentors, coaches, and peers ✓ Practical skills from business modeling to pitching ✓Confidence that their ideas have merit ✓ Connection to Morocco's entrepreneurial ecosystem ✓ Proof that they can build, not just study

Start-Up Week 2025 demonstrated something powerful: when universities, regional authorities, international partners (VIVES-APEFE), national institutions (ANAPEC, CRI, OFPPT, LafargeHolcim, ), and private sector leaders align around entrepreneurship-magic happens.

Gratitude

To the president of USMBA and the Dean of FSJES. To every speaker who shared knowledge, experience and wisdom. To every coach who invested time. To our local, national and international partners. To our institutional leaders who champion this vision. To the SEC staff who made this happen. To Enactus-Fsjes team for bringing heart to every organizational detail. and most importantly—to every student-entrepreneur who dared to participate.

See you soon at Forum Regional de l’Entrepreneuriat

14/11/2025

🚀 Day 4 of the SW was all about practicality—connecting with institutional support and mastering the art of the pitch. With Friday's finale looming, the energy shifted from learning to performing.

Hamza Hmidi & Chaimae (Career Center, OFPPT), opened the day by bridging a critical gap: how professional training and entrepreneurship intersect. OFPPT isn't just about traditional employment pathways—it's increasingly positioning itself as an entrepreneurial launchpad. He shared insights on career navigation for young graduates who want to create jobs, not just find them.

The message? The system is more accessible than you think—if you know where to look and who to ask.

Hicham Khassal (Vice Dean, FSJES-Fès), took the stage to demystify what separates a memorable pitch from a forgettable one. His framework was surgical: start with the problem your audience feels, present your solution as inevitable, prove your market understands, show traction that validates, and make your ask crystal clear. But beyond structure, he addressed the human elements—how to tell a story that resonates, how to handle skepticism gracefully, and how to be passionate without being preachy.

The last coaching sessions at SEC-FSJES had a different energy. Teams are polishing, pivoting final details, and mentally preparing.

14/11/2025

🚀 Day 3 of the Start-up Week delivered two sessions that challenged conventional thinking about when and how to become an entrepreneur and the Wellbeing issue.

Natalie Voet (VIVES University), dismantled the myth that you must choose between education and entrepreneurship. Her message was clear: combining academic life with entrepreneurial ambition isn't just possible—it's strategically smart.

Starting early gives students a testing ground with lower stakes, access to university resources, mentorship networks, and the safety net of student status. She shared how VIVES university structures programs, builds public-private partnerships, and creates ecosystems where student-entrepreneurs can experiment, fail, learn, and grow—all while earning their degrees.

Cathy Jansens (VIVES University) brought the conversation to something rarely discussed in entrepreneurship circles: mental health and sustainability.

Her core argument? Self-care, balance, and mental resilience are not luxuries—they're essentials for sustainable entrepreneurship. You can't build a lasting venture if you're burning out. The "hustle culture" narrative is not only harmful; it's counterproductive.

Cathy shared practical strategies for young entrepreneurs to maintain wellbeing while navigating the intense pressures of building something from scratch. Because lasting in entrepreneurship (echoing Filip's Day 1 message) requires more than grit—it requires wellness.

As our Belgian partners headed back after their sessions, our teams dug deeper into their projects at SEC-FSJES. With Friday's pitches approaching, the work is intensifying. A special thank you to the carreer center of OFPPT for hosting and supervising some coaching sessions.

Tomorrow ✅ | OFPPT joins us with insights on career pathways + Workshop on "L'Art de Pitcher" with Pr. Hicham Khassal

11/11/2025

🚀 Day 2 of the SW brought the participants face-to-face with the institutions and resources that can turn their ideas into reality.

Mr Rachid Zaim from ANAPEC (Agence Nationale de Promotion de l'Emploi et des Compétences) shared concrete pathways for young entrepreneurs. Beyond traditional employment, ANAPEC has become a critical ally for startup founders—offering guidance, training programs, and support mechanisms.

The message? You're not alone in this journey. Institutional support exists; you just need to know where to look.

Mr. Yahya Saadani, representing the CRI (Centre Régional d’Investissement) brought the regional perspective, unpacking what the Regional Investment Center offers to entrepreneurs in Fès-Meknès. From business registration facilitation to investment promotion and territorial development strategies—the CRI is positioned as a one-stop shop for founders navigating administrative and strategic challenges.

Key insight: Understanding your regional ecosystem is the key to build competitive advantage.

This keynote session was followed by an intensive workshop transforming business models into actionable plans.

✅ | Tomorrow: Our colleagues from VIVES University Natalie Voet & Cathy Jansens will cover two important topics : Exploring how students can combine academic life with entrepreneurial ambition and the Wellbeing of young entrepreneurs.

Stay tuned !

11/11/2025

🚀Day 1 of the Start-Up Week started with powerful opening speeches that demonstrated the collective commitment to entrepreneurship. President Mustapha Ijjaali (USMBA), Dean Mohammed Bouzlafa (FSJES-Fès), Vice-President of the Regional Council Fès-Meknès Halima Ezzoumi, SEC Director Asmae Diani, and Enactus team leader Abdeslam El Koufi all emphasized the importance of developing entrepreneurial spirit. The presence of regional authorities alongside university leadership sends a clear message: entrepreneurship has become a shared territorial ambition.

The 1st keynote speaker Nicolas Klotz (AUI) delivered the numbers that tell Morocco's story: ✓ Nearly 300,000 graduates enter the market annually ✓ Only 282,000 jobs available across all sectors ✓ Yet entrepreneurship is booming: +17.7% new enterprises in H1 2025 ✓ Over 440,000 auto-entrepreneurs now registered

His diagnosis? The entrepreneurial spirit is no longer optional—it's survival. But here's the challenge: despite growing numbers, we're not seeing enough university graduates taking the leap. Why? Insufficient training, fear of failure, and myths about funding.

The 2nd Keynote Filip Vanderbeken (VIVES University) brought a different perspective: it's not just about starting, it's about sustaining. His session "The Starter-Entrepreneur: How to last, lead and lean on others" addressed the real struggles of early-stage founders—the loneliness, the pivots, the burnout risks.

His core message resonated: Build your tribe. Your ecosystem isn't optional—it's oxygen.

The afternoon shifted from inspiration to implementation, starting with team formation for our week-long Entrepreneurial Challenge,

Four more days of keynotes, coaching sessions, pitching workshops, and the grand finale at Cité de l'Innovation. Stay tuned!

09/11/2025

LA 2EME EDITION DE LA START-UP WEEK ORGANISÉE PAR LE STUDENT ENTREPRENEURSHIP CENTER-FSJES ET SES PARTENAIRES DEMARRE DEMAIN !

Le Student Entrepreneurship Center (SEC) et ses partenaires : Cité de l'innovation de l'USMBA, Conseil Régional de Fès-Meknès, Université Al Akhawayn, ANAPEC, Centre Régional d'Investissement Fès-Meknès, OFPPT, LafargeHolcim Maroc, R&D Maroc, CMERES, REMESS, Global Entrepreneurship Monitor Maroc, WEMAG-Erasmus+, sont ravis d'annoncer l'organisation de la START-UP WEEK, l'événement phare de l'entrepreneuriat étudiant !

🎯 Au programme : ✅ Conférences inspirantes ✅ Workshops pratiques animés par des acteurs de l'écosystème entrepreneurial régional ✅ Coaching personnalisé pour vos projets ✅ Challenge entrepreneurial avec récompenses ✅ Sessions de storytelling authentiques

🇧🇪 LA BELGIQUE À L'HONNEUR ! Cette édition bénéficie d'une collaboration exceptionnelle avec : 🔹 L'Université VIVES de Belgique 🔹 L'APEFE (l’agence de coopération internationale intégrée au sein des relations internationales de la Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles et de la Wallonie)

Une opportunité unique d'apprentissage intensif, de networking international, et de concrétisation de vos idées entrepreneuriales !

📅 Du 10 au 14 Novembre 2025

Les activités de la Startup Week se tiendront sur les différents sites de l'USMBA (FSJES, CED, Cité de l'Innovation)