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?We want to be part of the making of the knowledge hub?
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?We want to be part of the making of the knowledge hub?
● <B>You?ve been here hardly one month and you are already the privileged witness of a great event at the British Council? the opening of the long-awaited knowledge and learning centre (KLC) How do you feel about this? </B>
The British Council is happy to offer such a centre to the Mauritian public. Thanks to the latest technologies in the centre, we have the feeling that we are aligning ourselves with the country?s aspirations of becoming a cyber island and knowledge hub. Moreover, this centre is in line with the way people are working today with an emphasis on e-resources. The KLC represents the shift the world is experiencing: traditional libraries are changing and we want to be part of that change.
● <B>How could you define the KLC in a few words? </B>
The KLC is there to provide the public with access to culture and knowledge through the English language. This can be done online or offline with videos, DVDs or books. The aim is not only to encourage people to use the English language but it is also about literacy. I however do not expect the centre to be only a place where people can access books or knowledge in general. I want it to be a place buzzing with people popping in and out and discussing with one another. It must be a place where people can relax in an English-speaking environment while watching a match on television or reading magazines with the coffee machine nearby. It is a sort of ?one stop shop? where knowledge and information on exams, courses or studies in the UK will be available. It will then be effective from the public?s point of view and efficient for us, internally.
● <B>Does a visit to the KLC require some specific status? </B>
The place is open to each and everyone who wants to make the most of the opportunities we provide but some activities (borrowing books for instance) will require that one be a member of the British Council.
● <B>You were the director of the British Council in Mozambique before coming here and you?ve been in several African countries. Do you think Mauritius can be compared to such countries and that your experience will help you here? </B>
I have indeed been in several African countries. I was born in Ghana and I have worked in Sudan, Cameroon, and Ethiopia? But I have also been in countries such as China, Afghanistan and Russia. Anyway, my experience of Africa is quite exhaustive and Mauritius is, like Mozambique, part of the SADC region; I am sure my experience will help. But there are obvious differences between those countries and there is a danger of making quite a big mistake in mixing all this. Compared to all other countries I have worked in, Mauritius is an Indian Ocean island that includes an extremely diverse cultural background; it is also a middle-income country, which is much wealthier than many African countries. So I really believe that Mauritius is quite different in many respects. However, my experience at the British Council elsewhere and my first professional experience as an English language teacher will certainly help.
● <B>And what about the level of English in Mauritius? </B>
I have been in Mauritius for only a month and it would be difficult to assess the level of English now. We are working in collaboration with the ministry of Education to do a sort of profile with 3,000 pupils from primary and secondary schools in order to be more aware of realities.
However, English here is the official language whereas it was only a foreign language in Mozambique; so the expectations for Mauritius are that much higher.
● <B>Even if English is the official language, the level of English might not meet your expectations?</B>
As far as the level of English is concerned, it is hard to assess. But there is a perceived need for learning English. People want to learn to speak English because it is an important language and we feel at the British Council that we have a role to play in collaborating with existing structures and providing opportunities to people who want to learn the language. This is why we offer many English courses, for example. I also feel that there has been a demand for the British Council to go outside and meet people outside the BC building; we will try to do this in the near future.
It would be difficult for me to assess the level of English now. However, English here is the official language whereas it was only a foreign language in Mozambique; so the expectations for Mauritius are that much higher.</I>
● <B>So the main objective of the British Council is basically teaching the English language?</B>
Well, not really. Generally, our main aim is to support educational and cultural opportunities with particular reference to the expertise that the UK can provide. So we have a certain number of objectives to achieve this among which English language teaching is one but it is far from being the only one. In other countries, like Australia for instance, we don?t do English teaching at all; we rather deal with educational links or governance. Here, English language is an important area but it is not the only one; the KLC proves this right.
● <B>From a more personal point of view, is there any specific contribution that you would like to make to the country? </B>
On a purely professional level, I wish to ensure that the British Council continues to be seen as a dynamic contribution to the country. I want the British Council to play a role in the whole move of the country to become a cyber harbour of the area ? here again, the KLC appears as a relevant example in this perspective. More personally, I already feel some excitement being here but I want to bring this interest over three or four years and instil that into the public. I am sure I will gain a lot from the diversity of Mauritius.
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