Traditional Moroccan Dress

FREE MARKET ECONOMICS IN MOROCCO

(KINGSVILLE, June 20, 1997) -- Three Texas professors spent May teaching free market economics in Rabat, Morocco.

As part of a three-member faculty team (including Dr. Don Bumpass of Sam Houston State University and Dr. Paul R.
Gowens, Southwest Texas State University.), representing the Texas International Education Consortium (TIEC), Nash visited
private enterprises, consulted with key business administration faculty and observed operations at the International Institute of
Higher Education in Morocco (IIHEM).

"The Kingdom of Morocco's economy has experienced great change over the past decade and has moved toward the free
market," said Nash. "Morocco has liberalized foreign trade and investment and has made structural changes including
privatization of state enterprises."

Nash said it appears this trend toward privatization will continue with Morocco's participation in the General Agreement on
Tariffs and Trades (GATT) and the country's negotiations with the European community to phase in a free trade zone over the
next few years.

"The Moroccan government initially authorized 112 public entities to be sold to private owners and investors...the government
later included two more firms," said Nash who feels sustaining growth of private ownership will require individuals who are
well-grounded in free market economics. "This will impact approximately 40 percent of the state portfolio."

While in Morocco, the A&M-Kingsville professor lectured to students studying intermediate microeconomic theory and
financial management on the American financial system and how the U.S. market economy functions. Nash also participated in
the presentation of two symposia, entitled "Privatization:  Issues, Problems, and Prospects" and "Education and Development."
The symposia were attended by faculty from IIHEM and Mohammad V University and by graduate students of IIHEM.
Symposia presenters, in addition to Nash, included Dr. Donald L. Bumpass of Sam Houston State University and Dr. Paul R.
Gowens, Southwest Texas State University.

The three-year affiliation between TIEC and IIHEM will give Moroccan faculty direct access to faculty of U.S. universities and
to curricular materials in finance and economics. Likewise, U.S. faculty will have an opportunity to develop case studies from
the Moroccan experience. Both U.S. and Moroccan faculty will develop joint research topics that keep both countries'
institutions abreast of subsequent economic developments in Morocco.

In September, two IIHEM professors of applied economics will visit at A&M-Kingsville to explore new teaching strategies and
to identify instructional and reference materials. The Moroccan professors will also make contacts at the other TIEC institutions
and meet with private sector economists and professional organizations in the field of economics.

Nash said the collaborative effort of TIEC and IIHEM will prepare Moroccan graduates to assume leadership roles in their
country's economic development. It will also enhance social and cultural awareness of Morocco for faculty and staff from
A&M-Kingsville. Nash said such undertakings fit the mission of the university to maintain a multicultural educational
environment.

TIEC, incorporated in 1985 to conduct international academic and professional programs, is comprised of 32 Texas public
universities. The six universities participating with IIHEM include Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Texas A&M International
University, Texas Southern University, Sam Houston State University, Southwest Texas State University and the University of
Texas at Arlington.

-TAMUK-- Mary Daniel

Don and Cheryl  May 1999 In traditional Moroccan Dress

Cheryl and Kendall Kellum May 1999