By Youness KRAIFA
Istanbul – Driven by boundless determination and passion, Moroccan engineer Ouiame Chakkour is confidently and brilliantly carving out her academic and professional path in the field of civil engineering in Türkiye, establishing herself amongst the emerging talents of this sector in Anatolia. This young Moroccan holds the position of assistant professor at Aydın University in Istanbul, proving that ambition, dedication, and perseverance can make a difference. From a little girl dreaming of earning the title of “doctor” to a researcher aiming to revolutionise the world of construction, Ouiame Chakkour’s unique journey has led her to etch her name into the annals of academic and scientific excellence.
Ouiame began her academic journey at the Faculty of Sciences and Techniques at Abdelmalek Essaâdi University in Tangier, where she earned her master’s degree before heading to Türkiye to further her university studies. She joined Yıldız Technical University in Istanbul, where she obtained a doctorate in civil engineering, solidifying her position as a specialised researcher in this field.
In an interview with MAP, Ouiame shared that her passion for scientific research was the primary driving force behind her decision to pursue civil engineering. She recalled her first visit to Istanbul in 2013, when she felt a strong pull towards this city, deeply rooted in history and at the crossroads of East and West. That’s how her adventure began after completing her master’s degree.
In August 2015, at the age of 23, Ouiame Chakkour flew to Istanbul, carrying with her an immense dream and unwavering resolve. She applied for a doctoral programme at Yıldız Teknik University, one of Türkiye’s most prestigious institutions. Thanks to a scholarship, she was able to fully dedicate herself to scientific research with a clear goal: to contribute to meaningful change in the field of civil engineering and construction through her work.
For the young engineer, settling in Türkiye was a challenge in itself, compounded by the language barrier. Although she is a perfect polyglot, Turkish was not amongst the languages she knew, making communication with her hosts particularly difficult at first. But Ouiame Chakkour refused to be discouraged. She enrolled in Turkish language courses (TÖMER) and made every effort to improve her language skills by practising daily.
Her greatest challenge wasn’t just the language, but also adapting to a different environment as a young university professor and a woman in a predominantly male field. Initially, she felt some apprehension about her ability to assert herself amongst students and colleagues, but she quickly found her footing and integrated into the country’s academic and scientific community. Today, as an assistant professor at Aydın University, she contributes to training a new generation of engineers whilst conducting advanced research in the field of construction.
Türkiye’s geographical location, prone to seismic risks, poses a real challenge for civil engineering, highlighting the need to develop innovative and safe construction materials. This has provided her with the opportunity to work on new advancements in civil engineering and develop safer, more sustainable construction techniques. For her, Istanbul is not just a place to live—it’s a source of scientific and architectural inspiration, where historic buildings coexist with modern skyscrapers. This balance fuels her research ideas and scientific publications, which shed light on the challenges of the evolving construction sector.
While civil engineering has long been a male-dominated field, Ouiame has never let that intimidate her. She asserts that she has never doubted her abilities compared to her male colleagues, convinced that her true strength lies in her mastery of the field. Throughout her journey, she has drawn endless inspiration from her father, who always encouraged her to defy stereotypes and believe in her potential. Today, Ouiame Chakkour aspires to leave her mark on civil engineering, not only through her research but also by innovating in construction materials to improve people’s lives. Her ultimate ambition? To make Morocco shine on the global stage of engineering and innovation.
Her message to young Moroccan women wishing to pursue engineering or scientific research: “Success is not a bed of roses. Perseverance and hard work always pay off!…
With MAP(translation CCME)
