2,446 Mauritian Students Defying Borders for Higher Education

In 2022, 2,446 students chose to study at foreign universities, as revealed by A Snapshot of Participation in Higher Education in Mauritius 2022, a report by the Higher Education Commission.

This is despite the country having 46 higher education institutions, including 10 public universities, such as the University of Mauritius, the University of Technology of Mauritius, the Open University of Mauritius, and the University of Mascareignes, as well as 36 private institutions.

It was also noted that in 2022, enrollment in public institutions decreased by 2.2% to reach 27,642, compared to 28,252 in 2021. On the other hand, enrollment in private and foreign institutions increased by 5.9% and 12.1% respectively.

New immigration policies: Christine Faugoo, Country Director of IDP Education Ltd Mauritius, stated that “Australia, Canada, and the UK remain the top choices for Mauritian students and continue to welcome international students, including those from Mauritius.”

She emphasized that the number of students enrolling in Australian, Canadian, and British institutions remained stable over the past 12 months, including enrollments for February 24th and autumn 2023 for Australia and Canada-UK respectively.

Faugoo clarified that the new immigration policies of these countries would make it more difficult for non-eligible students to obtain visas. She reassured eligible students that they should not worry about obtaining a visa if they genuinely want to study.

Regarding Australia, Faugoo mentioned that there have been slight delays in visa issuance for students recently, but in most cases, visas are ultimately granted. She advised students planning to study in Australia to apply early for the next intake in July 2024 to ensure timely visa processing.

Faugoo also highlighted the significant post-study work opportunities for students in Australia, allowing them to gain work experience related to their field of study.

The Country Director of IDP Mauritius also announced that IDP would soon organize a Study in Australia seminar for postgraduate students, where they can get information on course selection, costs, available scholarships, visa processing, and eligibility, including information for students planning to go to Australia with a spouse or children. Interested individuals can contact IDP at 210 1971.

Dr. Dorish Chitson, Director of OVEC, noted that the trend of students choosing to study abroad has remained consistent in recent years.

She explained that despite Mauritius having several higher education institutions, most students still prefer to go abroad due to factors such as prestigious schools, a wider range of degrees and specializations, professional placements, emigration opportunities, the chance to live an independent adult life, and experience diverse cultural experiences.

Chitson mentioned that although Canada and Australia announced limits on international student numbers, they are still considering admitting Mauritian students.

Chitson also highlighted the increasing number of Mauritian professionals seeking education abroad, noting that many local graduates are unemployed due to the small job market in Mauritius.

She mentioned that Australia and Canada offer automatic work permits post-study and the opportunity for permanent residency, attracting more students.

Regarding study costs, Chitson explained that many Mauritians opt to study on renowned university campuses to save costs. She mentioned the rising popularity of studying in Chinese campuses of Western universities, which offer quality education at a lower cost.

Chitson pointed out that studying in China is significantly more affordable than in Australia, the UK, or Canada, with lower living costs and reduced tuition fees. Chinese universities also provide well-equipped infrastructure and updated standards.

She highlighted the opportunity for students to learn Chinese alongside English, enhancing their employment prospects.

Chitson, with over 50 years of experience in the field, underlined that studying in China opens doors to international job opportunities due to multilingual skills acquired during the course.

Source: Le Mauricien