Interview: Dr. Hynd Bouhia (French/Français)
Dr. Hynd Bouhia is the Chief Executive Officer of Global Nexus, a Morrocan based financial structure managing investment funds in infrastructure, clean energy, technology and education. Previously Dr. Bouhia served as the Head of Strategy and Development of Morocco’s Public Pension Fund, Director General of the Casablanca Stock Exchange and Economic Adviser of the Prime Minister of Morocco.
Dr. Bouhia received her Ph.D. in Environment Engineering from Harvard University and has a Diploma of Engineering from Ecole Centrale Paris in France. She also holds a M.A. in International Relations from The Johns Hopkins School for Advanced International Studies.
In 2008 she was ranked 29th of the 100 most powerful women of the world by Forbes Magazine and in 2012, she was selected among the 100 most powerful Arab women by Business Finance, and in 2015. Bouhia received the Oxford Said Business School certificate as a 2013 Archbishop Tutu Africa Leadership Fellow; and was elected into the Johns Hopkins Society of Scholars, in 2016.
As the interview was conducted in French, please find an abstract of the conversation in English below
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Abstract
First, Dr. Hynd Bouhia shares with us her experience at Harvard. Dr. Bouhia received her Ph.D. in Environment Engineering from Harvard University. Her research had a particular focus on the connection between environmental engineering and economic development. She expresses her extreme happiness to be back at Harvard.
She addresses the question of human capital flight and how the Moroccan youth that has the opportunity to study abroad should be dealing with these issues. She draws on her own experience: after spending eight years at the World Bank, she came back to Morocco because she wanted to take part in the development of her country. She believes that there is today a favorable environment for young Moroccans to come back and create their own businesses or join successful Moroccan or multinational companies in Morocco. She adds: “the spirit is that we should learn … we should also help our country. If we do not, who will?” She indicates that there is a new ecosystem in Morocco which purports to foster innovation and help innovative start-ups.
In Dr. Hynd Bouhia’s opinion, all sectors are to be explored by young Moroccans. Education and healthcare are of the essence in developing countries. However, other innovative sectors should be explored. In a nutshell, there is room everywhere for people who want to help.
Dr. Hynd Bouhia presents herself as being an optimistic person. She says very eloquently that “this speech of hope is our reason for … waking up in the morning.” Her piece of advice for the Moroccan and African youth is to “be sincere with oneself, to work hard, and to always maintain a positive mindset… It is only with this mindset that we can succeed.”
Featured Photo Credit: Africa Renewable Energy Forum