New universities to be created

Rajesh Jeetah, Minister for Tertiary Education, announced that 815 million rupees (US$28.2 million) would be released for the four universities on sites at Pamplemousses, Montagne Blanche, Piton and Rose Belle, reported the paper.

Creation of the universities was aimed at decentralising the university sector, as the University of Mauritius and the University of Technology were already running at full capacity.

Jeetah said the Pamplemousses and Montagne Blanche sites would be developed between now and the beginning of 2012. He added that a site for a campus on the island of Rodrigues was also underway with support from the Minister of Fisheries and of Rodrigues, Nicolas Von-Mally.

The University of Mauritius and the Ministry of Agro-Industry were participating in the realisation of a project for a new veterinary school, reported L'Express, and an international monitoring committee of foreign experts would advise the Ministry of Tertiary Education on its establishment. At present, anyone wanting to become a vet must study abroad, it said. The go-ahead for the school should be confirmed by the end of May.

Jeetah also said some foreign universities wanted to set up branches in Mauritius, including the Amity University of India which was expected to establish a centre by April. 

Jeetah said after visits to India, Tanzania and Kenya, he was planning to continue his campaign in Europe to encourage universities to set up in Mauritius.