Moroccan university graduates from Northern Cyprus have been left in limbo since 2024 due to a freeze on degree recognition, preventing them from accessing the job market and prompting repeated protests. Uncertainty continues to weigh on current students as calls grow for a solution and clearer communication from authorities. DR ‹ › Moroccan graduates from universities in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus have been stuck in a deadlock since 2024 due to a freeze on the recognition of their degrees, leaving them unable to access the job market and casting uncertainty over current students. On Wednesday, April 22, they staged a protest in front of Parliament in Rabat, alongside parents of students still studying there. The demonstration, the fifth since December 2025, was organized by the Coordination Committee of Parents and Students in North Cyprus, representing around 3,500 students and graduates. According to Asmae, the mother of a dentistry student in Northern Cyprus and a member of the coordination, students had initially left with official assurances. «Most of these graduates and students inquired from the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Professional Training before leaving that their degrees would be granted equivalency, and the answer was yes», she said. Lift the freeze She added that, prior to May 2024, degrees were indeed recognized, backed «by an issue in the Official Bulletin», which Yabiladi reviewed. However, the process abruptly stalled. «First, students submitted their applications but received no answer. After that, no new applications were accepted, and the whole process stopped», she explained. Seeking clarification, affected families approached the authorities. «We were told that the freeze came after the Ministry of Higher Education received a letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stating that Morocco does not recognize Northern Cyprus as a country and therefore does not recognize its universities or their degrees», Asmae said. Since then, a coordination group has been formed and multiple protests have been organized, including sit-ins in front of the Higher Education Ministry and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. But despite meetings with officials, no concrete progress has been made. «They selected representatives from our coordination and said they were reviewing the applications, but nothing has changed», she added. «Our main demand is to lift the freeze on the equivalency of Northern Cyprus degrees and reinstate the process», Asmae said. Uncertainty for current students The uncertainty is also weighing heavily on Moroccan students still in Northern Cyprus. «I heard about the issue through student groups here. For now, I don't have any visibility», said Nassima, a master's student in international banking. She recalled that the situation was different when she arrived: «We came here on the understanding that previous students had obtained equivalency for their degrees. Everything seemed fine», she said. «It is a stressful situation», Nassima admitted, expressing hope that the issue will be resolved before she graduates this summer. Otherwise, she may have to consider alternatives. «I will have to go to another country where my degree is recognized to access the job market». Some students have already attempted to bypass the issue by continuing their studies in Turkey, which recognizes Northern Cyprus degrees. Othmane, an architecture student now based in Istanbul, is among them. «I graduated from North Cyprus in 2025 and then moved to Istanbul to pursue a master's degree at a university whose degrees are recognized by Morocco», he said. However, uncertainty remains. «I'm not sure what my situation will be, since I hold degrees from both Northern Cyprus and Turkey», he explained, adding that he hopes his Turkish documentation will help regularize his situation. Students Still Choosing Northern Cyprus Despite the ongoing uncertainty, Moroccan students continue to choose Northern Cyprus. Haitam Nkita, a Moroccan based in Turkey and ambassador for the Moroccan Youth Council for Diplomatic Cooperation, warned that «many students are not sufficiently informed before deciding to study there» and should «take the time to inquire and ask questions before choosing a field or a country». «When students come and ask, I always warn them about potential problems with the recognition of their degrees», said Nkita, who added that, through the council, he is working to reach out to affected students to provide support and assistance.
On possible solutions, he called for clearer communication and swift action from authorities. «There should be an exact census of the number of affected students. Then, an initial solution should be found for those who have already graduated and those about to complete their studies», he said, urging officials to «clearly communicate that North Cyprus degrees are currently not recognized, to prevent more students from choosing this path». Asmae echoed this call, stressing that alongside resolving the current situation, authorities must also inform the public to prevent further cases. Until then, she said, protests will continue.
