New Higher Education Framework Set to Transform Mauritian University Operations

Mauritius is overhauling its higher education sector by shifting from individual programme approvals to a model that places internal quality management directly onto universities and colleges, the Higher Education Minister has announced.

Under strict new legal changes to Section 17 of the Higher Education Act 2017, no higher education institution will be permitted to operate unless the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has formally accredited its internal programme approval processes.

The announcement was made during an HEC workshop held on Thursday, 4 June, at the Caudan Arts Centre in Port Louis.

The session was dedicated to unpacking the newly introduced Guidelines for the Accreditation of the Institutional Accreditation Process, ahead of a compliance deadline set for 31 August 2027.

Shifting the Regulatory Burden

The reform marks a major structural shift for Mauritian education. Rather than vetting every single course independently, the HEC will now evaluate whether institutions possess robust, transparent internal systems to design, approve, monitor, and review their own academic programmes.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Higher Education, Dr Kaviraj Sharma Sukon, described the initiative as a milestone for the sector.

He emphasised that the reform embeds quality assurance directly within the institutions themselves, while the HEC retains its pivotal role of external supervision and regulation.

Dr Sukon also revealed that guidelines regarding micro-credentials are currently being drafted.

He reaffirmed the government’s broader ambition to transform Mauritius into a regional knowledge hub, anchored by rigorous quality control mechanisms.

Adapting to Digital Disruptions

The workshop itself was designed to guide institutions through these new expectations.

Attendees received detailed briefings on application procedures, documentary requirements, evaluation mechanisms, and decision-making processes.

The overarching goal was to build institutional capacity, clarify roles, and provide a clear roadmap for preparing self-assessment reports—the central element of the new accreditation exercise.

Dr Ashveen Kumar Kissoonah, the Chairman of the HEC Board, highlighted that the higher education landscape is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by artificial intelligence, digital learning systems, online education, and internationalisation.

Dr Kissoonah urged institutions to view the new accreditation framework not merely as a regulatory hurdle, but as a strategic asset for continuous improvement and development.

He concluded that the new guidelines provide a structured and transparent framework that is vital for safeguarding the interests of students, employers, and society at large.

Source: Defi Media