Al Akhawayn University was established in 1993 with funding from King Hassan II of Morocco and King Fahd of Saudi Arabia — the name means "the two brothers" in Arabic. It's a private, English-language university modelled on American liberal arts institutions, which makes it unusual in Morocco and gives Ifrane a distinctly international character compared to other Moroccan cities of its size.
The campus is well-maintained and set on the edge of town, with views toward the cedar forests. It's open to visitors and worth a walk. The university library and student cafe are occasionally accessible to non-students. The institution has attracted faculty and students from across the Arab world and North Africa, giving Ifrane a cosmopolitan café culture that you wouldn't expect in a town this small.