Marouane Bentalha

Biography

Marouane Bentalha brings over 25 years of experience in international development and strategic partnerships, acquired through leadership roles at prominent institutions such as Xerox Corporation and Honeywell, where he led strategic growth across more than 45 countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. He has consistently demonstrated a proven ability to build sustainable alliances and manage complex projects in multicultural environments.

Before settling in Ottawa, Mr. Bentalha lived and worked across three continents — in Africa (Casablanca), the Middle East (Dubai), and Europe (Amsterdam and Paris) — cultivating a truly global perspective. Deeply committed to community and civic engagement from the outset of his career, he is the founding member of the Student Creativity Forum, launched in Morocco in 1998. The event became a nationally recognized annual gathering for 15 years, expanding to a pan-African edition in 2003.

Highly involved in promoting dialogue between diasporas, businesses, and institutions, Mr. Bentalha serves on multiple business councils:

Vice President of the Morocco–Canada Business Council, where he leads the Education and Employment Commission
Member of the Canada–Arab Business Council
Member of the Canada–UAE Business Council

In parallel, he has also contributed his expertise as a consultant to several NGOs, focusing on issues related to economic development, social inclusion, and South–South cooperation.

Mr. Bentalha holds an Executive MBA from École des Ponts ParisTech and currently serves as Manager, International Partnerships at the University of Ottawa, where he leads institutional development efforts across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. His role involves fostering strategic relationships between the university, governments, and academic institutions internationally.

His combined experience in university governance (having previously served on the Board of Trustees of Hassan II University in Morocco), public affairs, and global strategic development makes him a strong asset to contribute to the mission and vision of the University of Ottawa’s Board of Governors.

Letter of Intention

I am writing to express my keen intention in serving as the Support Staff Representative on the University of Ottawa’s Board of Governors for the term from July 1st 2025, to June 30, 2028. I am deeply committed to our institution’s mission and values and strongly believe that inclusive governance enhances both strategic outcomes and community engagement. I wish to contribute to this important body by offering a constructive, informed, and engaged voice on behalf of the support staff community.

Since I joined University of Ottawa, I have gained extensive experience as the International Partnership Manager for the Middle East and North Africa. In this role, I have worked closely with faculties to secure revenue-generating partnerships and have successfully negotiated agreements with governments and universities. My experience at the University of Ottawa, combined with my 25+ years in international business development for institutions like Honeywell and Xerox Corporation, has equipped me with the skills necessary to contribute effectively to the Board of Governors.

Prior to my time in Canada, I had the honour of serving on the Board of Trustees at Hassan II University in Morocco, where I contributed to discussions on institutional governance, academic strategy, and community integration. This experience gave me a firm grasp of the responsibilities and strategic impact of board-level service within a higher education institution.

Trilingual, with strong communication skills, my ability to lead and manage projects with colleagues across different departments/ faculties, will enable me to contribute effectively to the Board’s decision-making processes. Also, I have been involved in budget planning and financial management in different institutions.

At the University of Ottawa, I am proud to be part of the support staff and to witness firsthand the critical role we play in the university’s success. I would consider it a privilege to advocate for our colleagues at the governance level and to ensure that our voices are reflected in decisions that shape the university’s future.

I thank you for considering my candidacy, and I remain available should you require further information.

Sincerely,

Marouane Bentalha
Manager International Partnerships
Middle East & North Africa
Office of the Vice President International
University of Ottawa