Rahma Bourqia is currently the President of the University of Hassan II-Mohammedia. She is the first female to be appointed to this position in any Moroccan university, and the first female member of l’Académie du Royaume du Maroc. Bourqia is an expert on women's rights in Morocco and the Arab World, and a Visiting Professor in numerous American, European, and Arab universities. She was Head of the Training and Research Unit for Water and Civilization, 2001/2002. She is a member of numerous boards, committees and commissions. She has received several awards, including the Decoration of the Royal Throne, 2006; the Middle East Award, Population Council, North Africa and East Asia Regional Office, 1990; and the Malcolm Kerr Award for Best Dissertation, the American Association of Middle East Studies, 1988. Bourqia published many works and articles on Morocco as a State, Moroccan culture and history, and women and youth. She has obtained a Doctorate in Sociology from Manchester University.