Tertiary Education in Mauritius: Increasing Access Through International Program and Provider Mobility

Abstract

Mauritius is an informative and interesting success story for increasing access of local students to tertiary education through international program and provider mobility (IPPM). This article provides a brief background on the public and private tertiary education system in Mauritius and highlights the national plans, policies, and incentives used to promote and regulate the growth of IPPM during the last two decades. IPPM enrollments doubled from 2005 to 2017 while the number of students going abroad for degrees decreased. In 2017, 35% of all students enrolled in tertiary education in Mauritius did so through IPPM. This is among the highest in the world. Favored IPPM modes include branch campuses, franchise arrangements, and distance education. The article discusses the benefits, risks, and challenges facing Mauritius in its attempt to optimize access to higher education through IPPM and to establish itself as a regional education hub. International education scholars, planners, leaders, and policy analysts will benefit from the lessons learned by Mauritius.