Rabat – The National School of Artificial Intelligence and Digitalization in Berkane has won first place in Morocco’s first national academic cybersecurity competition.
The General Directorate of Information Systems Security organized the contest in partnership with the SecDojo platform. It brought together 1,156 teams and 3,650 participants from more than 100 institutions across 50 cities.
The team from Berkane ranked first, followed by 1337 School in second place and Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in third.
According to the school’s director, Jaafar Khalid, the competition was designed to highlight students’ skills in cybersecurity. It took place in multiple stages and ended with a final challenge that lasted 15 continuous hours.
During the final, participants had to respond to simulated cyberattacks, protect digital systems, and develop defense strategies in real time. They were also tested on how they handle different cybersecurity scenarios under pressure.
Khalid said the students from Berkane showed strong technical knowledge and practical skills, which helped them secure first place nationwide.
The school is part of Mohammed I University and was established in 2023. It is the first institution of its kind in eastern Morocco focused on artificial intelligence and digitization.
It currently has more than 680 students, with plans to grow to 1,000 in the coming years. The school offers four main tracks, including computer engineering, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and software development, and robotics.
The program lasts three years and leads to a state engineering degree. Students receive both theoretical and hands-on training, with a focus on digital skills, teamwork, and real-world internships.
