"The overall aim is to conduct research in astronomy and astrophysics. We are working on planetology, exoplanets, and also we study variable stars.

We first had to convince people around us of the benefits of what we were doing. Especially we needed institutions to provide authorisations and administrative support. We have had all sorts of imaginable difficulties : about money, about support, even about logistics.

We are very happy and proud of having been able to build not only the observatory itself, but also a research laboratory at Cadi Ayyad University of Marrakech. This laboratory has even reached first place in the ranking of the university research laboratories.

Currently, we have 32 PhD candidates registered in the laboratory. About 20 PhD students have already defended their thesis in astrophysics and high-energy physics. And we also have a master, since the year 2000, which contributes to the training of the Moroccan astronomers and astrophysicists."

Interview by Jean-François Haït