Diaspo #399 : Nouzha Ghoutis, an influential Moroccan voice in the United Arab Emirates

Ya Biladi

a day ago

From the heart of the ancient city of Tetouan, born into a family deeply rooted in a love for language and knowledge, Nouzha Ghoutis emerged. Migration was never part of her plans or dreams, yet in 1992, she found herself packing her bags for the United Arab Emirates. Her intent was simply to visit her sister. What was meant to be a short trip turned into a lifelong journey.
Her first impression of the UAE left a lasting mark. «I have never seen a woman humiliated in the UAE, regardless of her nationality or job. Women here are respected and prioritized in all aspects of life», she told Yabiladi. That respect, what she saw as a genuine expression of Islamic values, was the first emotional thread that connected her to the country.
A French language teacher and linguistics researcher by training, Nouzha's academic ambitions were far-reaching. Her dream was to study languages in their native contexts. But once she arrived in Dubai, she realized the world had come to her.
She began her teaching career in Morocco, with a degree in literature and French language, before expanding her horizons through international academic programs. She earned a Master's in Education and Learning, followed by a Master's in Law from France. In 2022, she completed a PhD in Diplomacy and Political Science from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
On a professional level, Nouzha also became an international arbitration judge for dispute resolution (London, UK) and a legal advisor. She holds a diploma in Human Resource Management from a British university and a certified trainer diploma from the Dubai Government Academy. Today, she is a member of the International Association of Lawyers and Judges in Paris, the World Federation of United Nations Friends, and serves as a cultural diplomatic ambassador. She also represents Morocco at The Hague Institute for Human Rights and International Law, advocating for rights, culture, and peace.
Despite her many roles, Nouzha has never abandoned her first passion: linguistics and language teaching. Living in the UAE, home to hundreds of nationalities, she found a rare academic opportunity and launched a research project that led to the publication of her first book.
«In the UAE, dozens of nationalities live and work together in rare harmony. That inspired me to begin my research, which led to the 2023 release of my first book, Contemporary Scientific Solutions for Teaching and Learning the Arabic Language. It combines both theory and practice, bridging Arabic, French, and English».
The book's success brought her scientific recognition and led to her participation in the 2024 World Arabic Language Conference in Dubai, which hosts researchers from more than 170 countries. She will return this year, once again proudly carrying the Moroccan flag.
But her contributions didn't stop at linguistics. In 2024, she published a second book, The Impact of Economic Diplomacy on Economic Development, reflecting her vision of the intersection between culture, politics, and economics.
Although some might describe her journey as one of migration, Nouzha resists the term. «I never felt like a migrant or a stranger. The UAE is an Arab country, its religion is Islam, and its culture is similar to ours. We live our rituals, Ramadan, Eid, our clothing, our food, just as we do in Morocco. Even our holidays become shared celebrations». She adds, «We live here as Moroccans in every detail. We have our restaurants, markets, traditional dress, festivals, and our longing for Morocco brings us together to relive the scent of home».
Still, nostalgia remains an inseparable part of her identity. «Of course, we miss our homeland, our families, our friends, and the scent of our beloved Moroccan soil. So whenever we can, we return with hearts full of love and longing, for its skies, seas, mountains, and bustling markets».
Today, Nouzha Ghoutis is more than a teacher, researcher, and academic, she is a Moroccan voice in the Gulf, embodying her homeland through both scientific and humanistic contributions. She helps shape a brighter image of Morocco and its people abroad.