Mauritius, France consolidate cooperation in education and scientific research
Port-Louis, Mauritius (PANA) - France’s Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Mr Jean-Yves Le Drian, is visiting Mauritius in a bid to further consolidate partnership between the two countries in the field of education and scientific research through the setting up of a network of French studies in the island.
The network, comprising public and private educational institutions,will offer French degrees, PANA reported from here.
At a meeting Thursday with members of the French studies network and students, at the Campus of Pierrefonds of Uniciti, Le Drian said that the launch of this project in Mauritius is a new venture for France, “as the France-Mauritius Campus will attract students from Africa and Asia, and the Indian Ocean.”
According to the minister, the project constitutes a laboratory to put to test a new global approach to investing in higher education on the African continent.
“France wants to share the excellence of French tertiary education with students of the African region and promote a certain model of intellectual and professional training to place youth at the centre of the new relationship that the country wants to create with Africa,” he explained.
“France seeks to partner with Mauritius to promote and structure a regional knowledge hub by tapping into the assets of Mauritius’ stability, prosperity and bilingual population, and the French expertise.”
Mauritian Minister of Education and Scientific Research, Mrs Lela Devi Minister Dookun-Luchoomun, indicated that as regards tertiary education, “Government has always advocated a policy of openness to allow international institutions to have more visibility on the African market.”
The minister said that the objectives of the network are to contribute to the sharing of information and promote Mauritius internationally as an education hub by targeting countries of the Indian Ocean, Africa and Asia.
“This initiative will considerably help to better market Mauritius and increase the country’s visibility and attractiveness, which are in line with the aim of her ministry at internationalising the higher education sector, thus targeting an increase in the number of international students in the island,” she said.
The minister reiterated the Mauritian Government's will to democratise access to higher quality education in Mauritius, Africa and the Indian Ocean region while ensuring that it is consistent with the country's development needs.
Three declarations of intent relating to the creation and organisation of the network of French studies in Mauritius, the new landing airstrip in Rodrigues, and the ocean economy were also signed between the two parties in Port Louis.
At the signing ceremony, Le Drian recalled that France is the leading investor, customer and supplier of tourists to Mauritius.
He said that with the signing of the declaration of intent on the creation of the French Studies Network in Mauritius, relations between the two countries will take a new turn, in line with the objectives of the Mauritian Government to transform Mauritius into an education hub.
-0- PANA NA/AR 20Feb2020
