Set up almost six years ago in Mauritius under the chairmanship of Ramduth Juddoo, Campus Abroad did not take long to find sucess. It is already expanding into Africa. Joint ventures are being worked out in eight different countries - Botswana, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Mozambique, Congo, Rwanda and Burundi.

The branches will be run by Mauritians but local people from these countries will work within each branch. ?The aim of setting up those branches is to provide the appropriate and required structure for youngsters who live there, as they do not have such facilities?, says Seshadri Jayasankar, Director of Campus Abroad in Mauritius.

Moreover, plans are also afoot to set up a language laboratory in the Mauritian branch to attract students from Africa to study in Mauritius. The director explains: ?A few weeks ago, I was in Africa. I found out there is a huge demand for learning English from countries like Rwanda and Burundi. With the language laboratory we are trying to set up in Mauritius, we are planning to attract students from those countries to come and follow a one-year intensive programme in English. Mauritius will be the ideal location for this programme as the students, who are French-speaking will have no adaptation problems. The programme will also generate valuable foreign exchange for the country.?

This idea seems to have been successful so far regarding the students who intend to go to China. Indeed, Mandarin classes are already given once a week for two hours to a group of 30 students who are going this year. All 30 are going to study medicine.

For Seshadri Jayasankar, this course is essential for the their adaptation. He relates: ?Although the course will be totally in English in the Chinese universities those youngsters are going to, they need at least a basic knowledge of the national language there.? He continues: ?We are offering them this Mandarin tuition for free as we feel they need to know at least a few words of Mandarin words in order to be able to settle down.?

Initially, Campus Abroad was representing universities in the UK and India; however, the base has gradually widened to include institutions from other countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Malaysia, Switzerland, Singapore and China.

Interaction with students and parents

Campus Abroad provides a whole range of services including counselling, online filling in of applications, visa guidance, help with accommodation, travel arrangements and follow-up on student performance. An online browsing service is available at the office to help students and parents access information and make decisions. Open days are organised regularly at which representatives of the universities are present and interact directly with students and their parents. This helps to ease parents? minds as most of their doubts are clarified by the visiting representative. Campus Abroad sends around 100 Mauritian students abroad every year.

The company is licensed by the ministry of Education in Mauritius. It is also registered with QISAN (Quality International Study Abroad Network), the worldwide quality regulatory body for educational counselling and consulting. Campus Abroad is also a member of the European Association for Internatio-nal Education.