By Shruti Menon Seeboo
Today, 12 February 2026, Campus Abroad Mauritius is hosting its International Education Fair at the Hennessy Park Hotel in Ebène, providing a vital platform for students to explore global tertiary options. In a featured interview with Platform Africa ahead of the fair, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research (JSSAHER), Mauritius, highlighted its unique position as a local institution delivering international-standard qualifications. As the first institution in the African region to receive full ACPE (USA) accreditation for its Bachelor of Pharmacy as of January 2026, JSSAHER is showcasing its commitment to high-quality healthcare education, including its newly accredited MBBS programme and specialised degrees in Biotechnology and Hospital Management.
The academy’s leadership explained to Platform Africa that their mission is to provide an “international experience at home”, leveraging their extensive 8-acre campus in Vacoas to offer a full residential university life. By participating in the Ebène fair, JSS Academy aims to demonstrate to Mauritian students that they can access world-class facilities and globally recognised curricula—supported by the vast JSS Mahavidyapeetha network—without the immediate necessity of travelling abroad. This focus on local excellence and international mobility, including clinical training aligned with UK PLAB and USMLE benchmarks, makes them a standout exhibitor for those looking to begin their professional journeys in health and life sciences. Excerpts:
1.With the recent HEC accreditation of your MBBS program, how will the structured to align with international licensing exams like the PLAB (UK) or the USMLE (USA)
Following the Higher Education Commission (HEC) accreditation of the MBBS program, JSS School of Medicine, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mauritius (JSSAHERM) has refined its clinical training model to align with international benchmarks required for licensing examinations such as PLAB in the United Kingdom and USMLE in the United States. Clinical exposure is delivered through structured rotations at SSRN Hospital and five affiliated regional hospitals, ensuring progressive responsibility and supervised patient care. The curriculum emphasizes early clinical exposure, competency-based learning, and integration of basic sciences with clinical reasoning. Assessment methods such as OSCE-style evaluations, case-based discussions, and evidence-based clinical decision-making are embedded within training to mirror international examination formats. Simulation-based learning and standardized patient interactions further strengthen diagnostic, ethical, and communication competencies essential for global medical practice.
2. JSSAHER is the first institution in the African region to receive ACPE (USA) pre-accreditation for its Pharmacy programs. How does this specific accreditation benefit graduates looking for placements in the pharmaceutical industry or clinical research in Mauritius and abroad?
JSSAHER is the first institution in the African region to receive ACPE (USA) pre-accreditation for its Pharmacy programs since 2020. Now, the BPharm program has been granted full accreditation in January 2026 by ACPE. It represents international recognition of academic quality and curricular rigor. This accreditation assures that the program meets globally accepted educational standards, thereby guaranteeing and benchmarking the level and quality of the programmes. Significantly enhancing graduate competitiveness for employment in pharmaceutical manufacturing, hospital pharmacy, clinical research organisations, and regulatory agencies. Graduates benefit from exposure to contemporary practices in clinical pharmacy, pharmacovigilance, regulatory affairs, and drug development, making them well-prepared for placements in Mauritius and internationally. Additionally, Because of ACPE recognition, qualified graduates can practice in Canada easily as per recent Pharmacy Council of Canada regulations. It strengthens eligibility for postgraduate education, professional certifications, and international mobility across the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
3.We noticed JSSAHER has MOUs with centers like CIDP (Centre International de Développement Pharmaceutique). Can undergraduate students participate in live research projects or clinical trials, and what does that ‘hands-on’ involvement look like for a first or second-year student?
Through institutional MOUs with organizations such as the Centre International de Développement Pharmaceutique (CIDP) and others, JSSAHER enables undergraduate students to participate meaningfully in ongoing research initiatives and clinical studies. Even in the first and second years, students are engaging in the supervised activities such as data collection, literature review, research ethics training, and protocol familiarisation, while gaining exposure to Good Clinical Practice principles. As students advance academically, their involvement deepens to include laboratory-based research, clinical trial support, pharmacological studies, and contribution to scientific publications. This early exposure fosters research literacy, critical thinking, and practical insight into clinical and pharmaceutical research environments.
4. As one of the only private institutions in Mauritius with a fully residential 8-acre campus, how do you foster a ‘hostel culture’ that supports the mental well-being and social integration of international students alongside local Mauritians?
As one of the few private institutions in Mauritius with a fully residential 8-acre campus, JSSAHER places strong emphasis on creating a holistic hostel culture that supports mental well-being and social integration. The residential environment is intentionally designed to encourage interaction between international and Mauritian students through shared living spaces, cultural exchange programs, and student-led activities. Structured orientation sessions, access to on-campus counseling services, and continuous faculty and student mentorship contribute to emotional support and academic stability. Recreational facilities, sports programs, and wellness initiatives further enhance student life, fostering a sense of belonging, inclusivity, and cross-cultural understanding within the campus community.
5. For the upcoming 2026 intake, what specific support does the ‘International Student Desk’ provide for career placement and ‘Post-Study’ opportunities, particularly for those in the Hospital and Health System Management (BBA/MBA) programs?
For the 2026 intake, the International Student Desk provides comprehensive academic, professional, and post-study support, particularly for students enrolled in the BBA and MBA programs in Hospital and Health System Management. The desk assists students with career guidance, internship placement, and industry exposure across hospitals, healthcare networks, insurance providers, and consulting organizations. Dedicated support is also offered for post-study opportunities, including employability skills development, CV preparation, interview training, and professional networking. Through alumni engagement, industry interactions, and regional placement guidance, the International Student Desk ensures that graduates are well-positioned for leadership roles in healthcare administration and management both in Mauritius and internationally.
