PhD at UM6P: a guide for aspiring researchers

My inbox receives many messages from engineers and aspiring academics. They ask about the application process, research committee expectations, and daily laboratory life.

I compiled this guide to explain the logistics and expectations. It shows how the system functions internally, drawing from my transition from engineering to academia and conversations with candidates across UM6P research centers.

My personal journey: from engineering to multi-agent RL

I graduated from ENSIAS Rabat as an AI Research Engineer. During my fourth year, I published a peer reviewed co-authored machine learning paper applied to climate data analysis in a Springer volume (come here for more details). That publication taught me how research works: from literature review to experimental design, data collection, and analysis. It also showed me the importance of collaboration and mentorship in producing high quality research.

For my engineering capstone project, I completed a research internship at the AI Movement center working on deep reinforcement learning for collaborative target acquisition and coverage optimization in satellite constellations. I trained RL agents to coordinate satellite clusters for Earth observation data collection. It was the kind of project sitting at the intersection of advanced AI and real world applications. (see more details in my portfolio).

When application season arrived, I applied to three different departments and secured fully funded PhD offers from all of them: the Vanguard center, the Moroccan Center for Game Theory, and the College of Computing. I deliberately did not reapply to the AI Movement because (sadly) they lacked an open research topic matching my specific interest in multi-agent reinforcement learning that cycle.

After careful reflection on supervisor expertise, research topic alignment, long term environment fit, and personal circumstances, I chose the College of Computing. Today, my doctoral research focuses on adversarial multi-agent reinforcement learning applied to 6G networks, co-supervised by an expert team of supervisors from inside and outside the university.

from the Doctoral Days 2025, I was presenting our survey on adversarial multi-agent reinforcement learning.

That choice wasn’t easy, but I believe (and hope!) that it was the right one.

Understanding UM6P research ecosystem

UM6P operates several specialized research centers, each with distinct vocations and research cultures. Understanding these differences helps you target your applications strategically and choose the environment that aligns with your work style.

The College of Computing (CC)

Main campus in Benguerir with a new specialized campus in Rabat. The Benguerir location focuses on AI and data science along with preparatory cycle students. The Rabat campus specializes in cybersecurity. The College spans all academic levels (bachelor, master, doctoral) and covers core computer science, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, distributed systems, and network infrastructure. It maintains extensive international partnerships with over 87 institutions globally including MIT, Cambridge, EPFL, UC Berkeley, NVIDIA, and Oracle. The alumni network spans across academia and industry.

The AI Movement center

Located on the Rabat campus in the AI Dome. Officially the Moroccan International Center for Artificial Intelligence, this is a specialized research and innovation hub focused tightly on AI applications, ethical deployment, and industrial business partnerships. It earned UNESCO Category II Center status in 2023, making it the first AI center of its kind in Africa. The center acts as a hub for artificial intelligence transformation with emphasis on responsible and ethical AI. Good fit if you are interested in AI ethics, practical applications, and building bridges between academia and business.

The Moroccan Center for Game Theory (MCGT)

On the Rabat campus, founded in 2024. This center specializes in advanced mathematical modeling, modern economic theory, and algorithmic game theory. Research focuses on Nash equilibria, Pareto optimality, computational game design, and mathematical foundations. Worth considering if your work sits at the intersection of discrete mathematics, economics, and algorithmic design.

The Vanguard center

Recently reallocated to Rabat, focused on fundamental and applied mathematics. Acts as a bridge between pure mathematical theory and complex computational engineering. Worth exploring if your work requires deep theoretical foundations combined with real world engineering applications.

The selection and interview loop

The initial screen

The process begins with a strict preselection based on your academic file. UM6P receives hundreds of applications for very limited seats. Your CV, cover letter, and transcripts need to stand out immediately.

What gets weighted heavily:

• Strong grades in mathematical and algorithmic courses.

• Credible recommendation letters from researchers who can speak to your technical depth.

• Prior laboratory or research experience: internships, publications, capstone projects.

• Clear interest in research, not just seeking a credential.

Before the official departmental interview, individual thesis supervisors sometimes conduct an informal 15 to 20 minute preliminary conversation. This allows them to gauge your communication style and technical background before moving your file to the official pedagogical committee.

Inside the committee evaluation

The official interview is an intensive session lasting anywhere from 15 to 90 minutes, conducted by a scientific panel of 3 to 8 professors. These interviews generally follow one of two formats.

Format 1: the generic technical interview

The panel digs deeply into your background, your engineering projects, and your understanding of the scientific method. They will question your motivations and test your long term career aspirations. They evaluate whether you are truly committed to a research career. Expect discussions of theoretical foundations, field specific questions, and prompts to contrast different technical concepts.

Format 2: the paper presentation interview

The committee sends you a scientific paper closely related to the thesis topic a few days before the meeting. You are required to analyze it thoroughly. During the interview, you present your understanding of its methodology and design choices. Some panels require digital slides, while others prefer you to walk through the paper dynamically and answer questions on the spot.

Regardless of format, prepare for a deep technical dive. The professors will test your theoretical foundations. Expect field specific questions, requests to write or explain specific mathematical equations, and prompts to contrast different technical concepts. While research is globally an English speaking industry, some committees remain flexible with language choices depending on the department.

The predoc year: courses and code

For most departments, the first year of the doctoral cycle is structured as a preparatory year. This phase bridges the gap between traditional engineering and autonomous scientific research.

In the College of Computing, the curriculum (that may change every year though!) consists of a highly rigorous set of intensive modules taught by visiting professors from global institutions. Candidates typically take around 8 courses throughout the year. Each course lasts between 1 and 2 weeks with an evaluation conducted on the final day. In my cohort, we were required to successfully validate at least 5 of them through written examinations or extensive coding projects. The curriculum includes specialized modules such as:

• Introduction to algorithms and complexity, graph algorithms.

• Foundations of Machine Learning.

• Optimization methods for Machine Learning.

• Introduction to Parallelisation and HPC.

To give you an idea of the technical engineering expectations during this phase, you can check out some of the code repositories and course submissions developed on GitHub:

• Distributed Computing Projects: Projet_DC.

• The Dining Philosophers Concurrency Problem: dining philosophers.

• High Frequency Graph Computations: HFGC.

• Adaptive Boids Simulation Swarms: adaptive boids.

These projects show the range of work expected: from distributed systems and concurrency problems to graph algorithms and multi-agent simulations. The engineering bar is substantial. You will write distributed systems code, implement complex algorithms, debug concurrency issues, and work on large scale computational problems.

just me and my peers Chaimae and Mehdi trying to figure things out in the workspace for the graph theory project..

At year end: Rather than defending a completed thesis body, candidates present and defend their formal progress and research plan before a scientific committee. This presentation demonstrates that you absorbed the foundational knowledge and have a credible, original research direction. Passing this officially advances you into full time doctoral candidacy.

Funding, regulations, and commitment

Understanding the financial structure

For candidates on standard fellowships, the gross scholarship allowance is 10,000 dirhams per month. It is important to account for institutional deductions: 10,000 dirhams are deducted annually from this allowance to cover tuition fees. This deduction is split into three specific installments over the academic year: 4,000 dirhams in October, 3,000 dirhams in December, and 3,000 dirhams in February or March. If you choose to reside in on campus housing, those accommodation fees are also deducted directly from the monthly payout.

On campus single rooms range from 1,500 to 1,900 dirhams per month. Off campus rent in the city can start as low as 1,500 dirhams but varies depending on location and amenities.

Rental timing matters significantly: Prices are lowest during March and April, which is considered the recession period for rentals. Avoid searching during September through November and January through February when prices spike dramatically due to high demand from new students and interns. Timing your apartment search right can save you hundreds of dirhams monthly.

Your net monthly income typically lands between 7,500 and 8,000 dirhams depending on housing choices. It is modest by international standards, but the university provides substantial in kind benefits: comprehensive health insurance, on campus healthcare, access to campus facilities, and subsidized dining.

It is also important to note that the scholarship requires having no additional source of income such as freelance work or part time employment. The university expects candidates to dedicate themselves fully to their research and academic responsibilities, and it’s generally not feasible to balance a full time research role with external employment.

The professional schedule

A doctorate here is treated as a serious, full time professional role. Candidates are expected to be present in the laboratory following standard 9 to 5 working hours, five days a week. You are entitled to one month of annual holiday, which must be requested and approved by your primary supervisor. Administrative staff strictly manage lab attendance. Because doctoral candidates are internally viewed as professional research staff, unwarranted absenteeism is handled seriously and can lead to formal administrative actions.

An Important Exception: Not every doctoral candidate follows the standard scholarship pathway. The university admits qualified internal profiles such as practicing engineers or aggregated professors already employed full time within the ecosystem under permanent (CDI) contracts, allowing them to complete their doctoral research in parallel with their institutional roles.

However, it is important to keep a life-work balance in such a demanding environment. The university expects candidates to maintain a professional demeanor, but it also recognizes the importance of personal well being. Candidates are encouraged to manage their time effectively, seek support when needed, and engage in activities that promote mental and physical health, such as sports, hobbies, and social interactions. The university provides access to fitness centers, sports fields, and recreational facilities to support a healthy lifestyle.

Campus life and housing dynamics

Infrastructure and locations

from the main campus in Benguerir

Both major residential locations offer excellent infrastructure. The campuses are well equipped with modern lab spaces and advanced technical tools. They function as a massive corporate style ecosystem. Both campuses provide comprehensive facilities including modern lab spaces, multiple dining halls, fitness centers, sports fields, swimming pools, libraries, mini-markets, ATM machines, religious facilities, and laundry services. On campus healthcare and comprehensive health insurance are fully provided.

Housing options

• On campus: 1,500 to 1,900 dirhams per month. Well maintained, furnished, and centrally located. Deducted directly from stipend.

• Off campus: Premium apartments near the university gates cost up to 4,000 dirhams per month. Mid range options in town cost around 1,500 to 2,500 dirhams monthly. Search during March to April for best deals.

the new train station in Benguerir.

Many researchers choose to live outside the campus gates. While living off campus introduces local town logistics such as managing regional transportation, limited local taxi availability, and navigating extreme seasonal weather, it remains a highly popular option for researchers who require a distinct personal environment or have specific medical preferences.

Strict research quality standards

The university maintains a strict stance on the quality and global impact of its scientific output. To graduate, candidates are required to publish their findings in top-tier journals (Q1 / Q2) and conferences (A* / A / B). This strict quality mandate provides validation of your research by the global scientific community.

from the Science Week 2026 conference on AI, with my undergraduate friend Abdelmounain Bounite.

This insistence on publishing excellence is a primary reason why the university consistently positions itself within the top 400 universities globally in recognized international rankings (source), giving your degree significant weight worldwide.

Because of this strong global standing, pursuing a joint international degree (cotutelle) is by no means a necessity to polish your PhD. While a cotutelle can offer unique cross border networking opportunities, it requires managing separate administrative frameworks and aligning two distinct supervisors ; not evident to succeed. Even without a formal cotutelle, the university mandates that every single doctoral student complete an international research mobility internship during their four year cycle, providing everyone with solid global exposure.

The golden rule: selecting your supervisor

If there is one piece of advice to guide your entry into research, it is this: your choice of supervisor matters more than your exact thesis title.

Your supervisor dictates your daily working environment, your access to resources, and the balance between constructive guidance and research freedom. A fascinating research topic can quickly become overwhelming if your working styles do not align.

Before signing an agreement, carefully analyze a prospective supervisor’s standing:

• Look at their h-index, their active research projects, and their recent publication history in recognized journals. A supervisor who is highly active in the global scientific community will seamlessly open doors for your international mobility and future career placements.

• Do not hesitate to reach out to their current doctoral students to get an authentic feel for the lab’s internal culture. Ask about feedback frequency, research freedom, expectations, and work life balance.

• Assess their international network and collaborative reach. This shapes your own opportunities.

Final thoughts

A PhD at UM6P is not a fast track to prestige. It is a serious investment in your development as an independent researcher. The institution will demand rigor, global standard research output, and professional commitment. You will be challenged and tested. But if you enter with genuine passion for research and clear expectations about what the journey entails, you will emerge with a credential and network that opens doors worldwide, and more importantly, with the skills to contribute original knowledge to your field.

Good luck to all aspiring researchers!

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