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The University of MauritiusThe history of the University of Mauritius is closely linked with that of independent Mauritius; although founded in 1965, the University became operational in June 1968. It was inaugurated in March 1972 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The University of Mauritius Act 1971, which came into effect in July 1971, established its fundamental powers and structure and defines its purpose and entity as a legally independent body.
The University of Mauritius Act of 1971 described its goals in the following statement: 'The objects of the University shall be to provide facilities for and to engage in teaching and research and thereby to promote the advancement of learning and knowledge and, in particular, to provide a University education responsive to the social, administrative, scientific, agricultural and technological needs of Mauritius: to hold out, on such terms as it thinks fit and within the limits of its resources to suitably and academically qualified persons who in the opinion of the University are able and willing to benefit from the facilities it offers, the opportunity of acquiring education benefiting a University of highest standing'.
Exciting mix
The Vice Chancellor adds: 'The University started with an essentially national perspective; but it is gradually becoming more international. Students come from every part of Mauritius and cover a wide range of social and ethnic backgrounds - an exciting mix of cultures. We have throughout the years welcomed small groups of students from Africa, Brazil, India, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and the United States.
The University has five faculties, namely Agriculture, Engineering, Law & Management, Science, and Social Studies & Humanities. Undergraduate courses are offered in the traditional fields of agriculture, science, engineering, languages, and management, as well as in specialized areas such as sugar technology, horticulture, mechatronics and textile technology. A series of taught Master's courses are available: business administration, finance, engineering project management, environmental engineering, applied economics and applied mathematics & modelling and it is also possible to undertake research leading to M.Phil or PhD.'
The University of Mauritius, the hub of higher education in the country, has sustained a rapid growth within a short space of time. At present it has around 795 academic and non-academic staff and has expanded to comprise five faculties and various centres.
Expansion
The last decade has witnessed a significant enhancement of the University's teaching activities, coupled with a real breakthrough into research. An increasing number of staff and students have registered for MPhil and PhD degrees by research. The latest Compendium of Research testifies to the rich potential of the University as a research institution. Under the Mauritius Radio Telescope project, a joint Indo-Mauritian project, observations are made round the clock for the mapping of the southern hemisphere sky at the frequency of 150Mhz. Consultancies are also conducted by the University upon requests from both public and private sectors. These contribute greatly to decisions and policies of national importance.
In order to maintain a high standard of education, the University has adopted a policy of close interaction with various Universities overseas. Long established links exist already with Universities in Great Britain, France, and India, and currently new contacts are being contemplated with Universities in Australia, the United States, and South Africa. In the same spirit of opening up to the international academic world, the University has become a member of the Commonwealth Universities Study Abroad Consortium (CUSAC) which promotes staff and students exchanges. With the creation of the University of the Indian Ocean, collaboration with Universities in the region will now become a reality. The University is also actively participating in academic activities of the Indian Ocean Rim and in fact, presently hosts the international Chair in Indian Ocean Studies, which is funded jointly by India and Mauritius.
On the threshold of the year 2000, the university is now committed to expansion, and is planning to increase its student population to 5000 in 2000. Increase in both staff and student population will require additional space: the University has a rather compact campus and plans are underway to extend the existing infrastructure.
Three decades have lapsed, and after jolts and hitches, the University of Mauritius has now reached cruising speed on its journey to academic excellence and is well poised to meet the new challenges of the 21st century.
(Source: the University of Mauritius 1998 handbook)
University of Mauritius
Réduit, Mauritius
Tel.: +230-454 1041
Fax: +230-465 6184
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