Publicité
Dr Dorish Chitson
<I>OVEC coordinator</I>
<B>Could you briefly introduce the role of OVEC (Overseas Education Centre)?</B>
At OVEC, we act as a facilitator between Universities and students. I give free counselling to students. This is especially due to the fact that I love interacting with students. I have been a teacher for more than 20 years. I have worked in all Loreto colleges and in Queen Elizabeth College. Furthermore, I started the Social Studies department at Le Bocage International School. After this, I began doing research with the Mahatma Gandhi Institute tertiary sector. I also collaborated with the University of Mauritius on research papers. So, with all this experience, I have always enjoyed working with and helping youngsters. I try to counsel them in the best possible way according to their situation, for example their results and their finances. I work with universities from all parts of the world. What I also do at times is try to find scholarships for those who have financial problems.
What were the objectives in organising the fair last week-end?</B>
I see myself as a one-stop shop for worldwide education. This is the reason why I invited around forty universities from all parts of world such as Canada, Australia, England and many other countries. The main reason why I organised this fair is because I wanted both parents and students to have face-to face interaction with university representatives. This interaction can be very important in the future. Indeed, if the student goes to one of those universities, he/she already knows whom to address if there is any problem.
Were the youngsters attending the fair from a particular social or financial background?</B>
No, they were from all categories. This is also because this fair aimed at youngsters of all categories and all schools. For example, we also had students who are skilful with their hands. In the fair, we provided the kind of information where they could learn more about how to develop these skills. Consequently, we asked representatives of Headmasters Academy for Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy of Melbourne to attend the fair.
<B>From your experience, what are the criteria that students consider when choosing their higher education institutions?</B>
Unfortunately, the basic criterion they look at is the cost. If a student has money and the educational requirements needed, he/she can get into any university. As a matter of fact, when students come to me, the first question I ask them is in which countries they have relatives. If a student goes to a country where he/she has relatives, that student can save half on the cost of living.
With public and private institutions offering tertiary education now in Mauritius, why should young people still wish to go abroad?</B>
I understand them and I advise them to go abroad to do their tertiary education. Here, youngsters tend to feel that Mauritius is too small. They want to see the world and they want to explore! And I firmly believe that they gain a lot from what they experience abroad. The most important thing is that the student will develop on a more independent basis.
Publicité
Publicité
Les plus récents
