Berkane AI School Wins Morocco’s First National Academic Cybersecurity Competition as Talent Spotlight Builds Toward Expo Casablanca 2026
The National School of Artificial Intelligence and Digitalization in Berkane has achieved first place in Morocco’s first national academic cybersecurity competition, a landmark event that brought together thousands of students from across the country and highlighted the rapid rise of cybersecurity talent in Moroccan higher education.
The National School of Artificial Intelligence and Digitalization in Berkane has achieved first place in Morocco’s first national academic cybersecurity competition, a landmark event that brought together thousands of students from across the country and highlighted the rapid rise of cybersecurity talent in Moroccan higher education.
The competition was organized by the General Directorate of Information Systems Security in partnership with the SecDojo platform. It attracted 1,156 teams and 3,650 participants representing more than 100 academic institutions across 50 cities, making it one of the largest academic cybersecurity events ever held in Morocco.
Intensive Final Challenge Tested Real-World Cybersecurity Skills
After multiple qualifying rounds, the competition concluded with a demanding final stage lasting 15 continuous hours. Participants were placed in simulated cyberattack environments where they had to defend systems in real time, respond to evolving threats, and develop coordinated cybersecurity strategies under pressure.
The challenge focused on practical capabilities rather than theory alone, testing incident response, system defense, threat analysis, and teamwork in high-stakes scenarios that mirrored real cybersecurity operations.
Final Rankings Highlight Leading Moroccan Tech Institutions
The Berkane team secured first place nationally. The second position went to 1337 School, while Mohammed VI Polytechnic University ranked third, reinforcing the strong performance of Morocco’s leading digital and engineering institutions.
According to Jaafar Khalid, director of the National School of Artificial Intelligence and Digitalization in Berkane, the winning team demonstrated strong technical mastery and exceptional performance under pressure, combining cybersecurity expertise with rapid decision-making and collaboration.
A Fast-Growing Hub for AI and Cybersecurity Education
Established in 2023 as part of Mohammed I University, the Berkane institution is the first of its kind in eastern Morocco dedicated to artificial intelligence and digital transformation. It currently trains more than 680 students and plans to expand to 1,000 in the coming years.
The school offers four main academic tracks: computer engineering, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and software development, and robotics. The program runs over three years and leads to a state-recognized engineering degree, combining academic foundations with hands-on projects, teamwork, and industry internships.
Cybersecurity Talent Signals a Stronger Hiring Market in Morocco
The scale of participation and technical depth of the competition reflects Morocco’s accelerating investment in digital skills and cybersecurity readiness. With increasing demand for engineers, analysts, and AI specialists, such competitions are becoming key indicators of workforce readiness for both local and international employers.
Pathway to Opportunities: Expo Casablanca 2026
As Morocco’s tech talent pipeline expands, platforms connecting graduates with employers are becoming increasingly important. One of the major upcoming recruitment events is Jobs Expo Casablanca 2026, scheduled for May 30, 2026, at The Venue, Downtown Casablanca.
The event will run from 10:00 to 17:00 and offers free entry to job seekers. It will bring together leading employers across Morocco and provide direct access to hiring opportunities in sectors such as cybersecurity, software engineering, AI, data science, and digital transformation.
Participants will be able to meet recruiters in person, attend live seminars, receive career coaching, and explore hundreds of job opportunities in one place. In addition, candidates who upload their CV to JobExpo.ma can be AI-matched with relevant roles before the event, increasing their chances of being shortlisted for interviews.
Bridging Education and Employment in Morocco’s Digital Economy
Events like Expo Casablanca 2026 are increasingly serving as a bridge between academic excellence and industry demand. As demonstrated by the success of institutions like the Berkane AI school, Morocco’s next generation of cybersecurity professionals is emerging quickly, but access to employers and structured recruitment opportunities remains critical.
JobExpo.ma positions itself at this intersection, combining an AI-powered job platform with large-scale in-person hiring events, helping graduates and professionals connect directly with employers seeking digital and engineering talent.
With Morocco’s cybersecurity and AI sectors expanding rapidly, the alignment between academic competitions, skilled graduates, and recruitment platforms is becoming central to building a competitive national digital economy.