By Shruti Menon Seeboo
The upcoming Annual Study Fair, hosted by Campus Abroad Mauritius, promises to be a pivotal event for Mauritian students seeking to pursue higher education in the United Kingdom. Set to take place on November 23rd and 24th at the Henessey Hotel in Ebene, the fair will provide a unique platform for prospective students to connect directly with representatives from renowned British universities.
In an exclusive interview, Her Excellency, Charlotte Pierre, the British High Commissioner to Mauritius shared her enthusiasm for the fair and emphasised its significance in fostering stronger ties between Mauritius and the UK. She highlighted the increasing number of UK universities establishing a presence on the island, underscoring the growing opportunities available to Mauritian students. Excerpts:
- The participation of leading UK institutions like the University of Edinburgh, University of Exeter, and the University of Leeds highlights the UK’s educational presence in Mauritius. What does this signify about the UK’s commitment to strengthening academic ties with Mauritius?
Engaging with governments around the world through education partnerships and promoting UK academic excellence has always been a priority for us. I know this is also true for Mauritius, which is home to around 35 UK awarding bodies from Middlesex University, Swansea University, UCLAN, University of Suffolk or Leeds Beckett University. With these universities now anchored in Mauritius, we are bringing world-class, affordable, and accessible education from the UK direct to Mauritian students. That these globally renowned UK universities are present in Mauritius reflects a big effort to strengthen academic ties, enhance educational quality, and foster mutual growth and development. They also support Mauritius’ own efforts to become a regional education hub. We look forward to continuing our work with Mauritius to achieve these objectives.
- How does the British High Commission support Mauritian students in pursuing higher education opportunities in the UK, and what initiatives are in place to facilitate this?
The British High Commission in Mauritius has adopted a holistic approach to support Mauritian students to access higher education opportunities in the UK. Through our biannual education fairs, we provide an end-to-end service to Mauritian students in collaboration with our partners, which include UK Visas and Immigration, the British Council as well as Campus Abroad Mauritius. Travelling to study abroad can be a daunting experience and the education fairs we deliver twice a year are hopefully helpful for students. We offer comprehensive guidance on studying in the UK, advice on visa applications and English language tests, and we work with our partners to address a range of concerns that students and their parents may have. I encourage prospective students to attend our fairs and make the most of these face-to-face advice opportunities – we are here to help!
Another significant and popular programme that we deliver is the Chevening Scholarship programme, a prestigious award offered to outstanding Mauritian students for one-year postgraduate degrees at any UK university. We advise and support Chevening scholars flying to the UK as well as applicants. Anyone interested to apply can do so online on https://www.chevening.org/apply/, and has until Tuesday, 5 November to submit their application.
- UK universities are known for their academic rigor and global reputation. How do you see these institutions catering to the specific aspirations and needs of Mauritian students?
I know UK universities, known for their academic excellence and, as you rightly say, their global reputation, have always had a strong appeal for successive generations of Mauritian students. My own parents made the journey from Mauritius to the UK in the 1960s. In this competitive world, accessing world-class education is becoming increasingly important for the new generation of students. UK universities offer a vast array of courses, allowing Mauritian students to pursue their academic interests and professional goals with freedom, from medicine, engineering, technology to literature, languages and creative arts. Studying in the UK acts as a springboard to diverse, exciting career paths and industries, both in Mauritius and across the world.
- What advantages do Mauritian students gain from studying in the UK, particularly in terms of employability, research opportunities, and access to the UK’s vibrant industries?
Studying in the UK opens so many doors for international students. UK universities consistently rank among the world’s best and are at the cutting edge across a huge number of courses and areas of study. A UK degree boosts employment opportunities for students. Mauritian students studying in the UK truly gain a competitive edge through a combination of high-quality education, practical experience, research opportunities, and access to a dynamic industry environment. The UK is home to many multi-national companies, and of course one of the world’s biggest financial centres – the City of London. These institutions recruit from UK universities, so the potential career opportunities are boundless for those studying there.
Crucially, as well as offering an opportunity to travel the world, studying in the UK means the world comes to you – students access and participate in the many diverse cultures and communities that exist in the UK, which as well as enriching students’ lives, adds more layers to their education. For example, the UK’s Graduate Route, which launched in July 2021, offers Mauritian students the opportunity to work across the UK’s biggest and most diverse cities.
- With the growing importance of digital education and blended learning, how are UK universities adapting their programs to ensure Mauritian students can continue to benefit from high-quality education, both remotely and on-campus?
Many UK universities have changed the way they teach, and this has increased the accessibility to world-class education. You do not have to book a flight to take a course from, for example, Oxford University – you can learn online from the comfort of your desk. In recent years, the digital infrastructure of UK universities has evolved considerably, enabling students to benefit from blended learning, such as hybrid and flipped classrooms. The UK universities are increasingly adopting digital education and blended learning approaches to ensure that students, including those from Mauritius, continue to benefit from high-quality education both remotely and on campus. These changes to how we teach offer huge flexibility to students, especially those who might have caring responsibilities, or who work while they study.
- Looking ahead, how do you see the future of educational relations between the UK and Mauritius evolving, and are there any new collaborations or initiatives in the pipeline that could further strengthen these ties?
I am really excited about the future of the education links between the UK and Mauritius. They will go from strength to strength. I hope to facilitate more partnerships between British and Mauritian universities, focusing on things like joint degree programs, research collaborations, and student exchanges, similar to the recently launched partnerships between Swansea University and Uniciti, and between Coventry University and University of Mauritius. We are also working to establish more UK university branch campuses and joint institutes in Mauritius fueled by the success of Middlesex University here in Mauritius.
This would provide local students with direct access to more UK-standard education while fostering deeper academic and cultural exchanges. Another key initiative is increasing access to professional and vocational training programmes, focusing on sectors like technology, healthcare, and education – all priorities for Mauritius. We are also working with our partners to boost collaboration in research, particularly in areas of mutual interest such as climate change, marine biology, renewable energy, and public health.
