Training for Innovation: A Critical Review of Professional Development Schemes for Pedagogical Innovation in Moroccan Higher Education

Abstract

This study investigates how university teachers in Morocco understand and implement pedagogical innovation within a higher education system undergoing continuous reform. Although innovation is widely promoted in national strategies, its translation into everyday teaching remains uneven. A qualitative approach was adopted to explore teachers’ experiences, using semi-structured interviews with fifteen faculty members from eight public universities. The analysis followed Braun and Clarke’s thematic method and was complemented by document review. Findings show that innovation is often perceived through the lens of digital technology rather than through deeper instructional redesign. Professional development appears fragmented, dominated by short technical workshops that seldom provide sustained pedagogical guidance. Teachers express motivation to improve their practices, yet institutional constraints limited recognition, insufficient infrastructure, and traditional academic cultures significantly restrict their capacity to innovate. Comparing this context with the Quebec model highlights how structured development pathways, collaborative cultures, and governance mechanisms create more favorable environments for pedagogical transformation. The study contributes to current debates by positioning innovation as both an individual and systemic process. It emphasizes that sustainable change requires coherent institutional ecosystems where training, support, and recognition reinforce teachers’ efforts. The results also offer practical insights for policymakers seeking to align digital transformation with pedagogical objectives.