?It?s all come down to a wastage of Studies,? says Roukaya Kassenally, the Head of Department for Social Studies at University of Mauritius. Indeed, the University of Mauritius has introduced 23 new degrees and 7 master?s degrees. Among which we have BA Heritage Studies, Bpharm, and BA Sanskrit.

?I am not being pessimistic but only realistic,? clarifies Roukaya Kassenally, ?there has never been a study to look in a scientific and strategic way to see if the Mauritian job market will be able to absorb these degree holders.?

Santosh Kumar Mahadeo, ex Director of Curriculum at the Ministry of Education shares the same view. For him, the logical equation that a degree is equal to a job is no more conclusive.

What ails University of Mauritius?

?The way teaching is done at the University, the students do not have a working aptitude.? explains Santosh Kumar Mahadeo. ?The holders of different degrees at the University of Mauritius do not complete the equation that a degree means a job.? Indeed. ?What should a University propose normally?? asks Roukaya Kassenally ?It should not just be flowing out with degrees, but should also produce degree holders with a work force quality.?

This is what is missing in the University of Mauritius and there has already been people outside the educational field who have noticed this failure. ?Lately, we are having much criticism from industries saying that the students are not trained enough in the work skills that their companies are looking for.?

Furthermore, ?this is quite a big question,? sighs Roukaya Kassenally, ?because at the end of the day, wanting to increase the number of students will create lot of confusion in the curriculum. That is to attract more students, the University will have to cater for more choices and a diversification of degrees.?

Indeed, the University has decided to increase its intake by 45%, even though earlier this year there were students? demonstrations for the lack of space in the University. According to Roukaya Kassenally, while the University is blocked with the number crunch, to be able to get its head out of the water, it will have to ensure equity between inclusion and courses to see that they are more quality driven.

?The teaching method needs to be questioned?. For Santosh Kumar Mahadeo, we are a changing society and the teaching style needs to be changed. ?The theoretical way that courses are being taught is not enough for a working environment.? even, Roukaya Kasenally is worried about the effect that the number crunch and new programmes added will have on the teaching method that is instilled at the University. ?This will create lots of problem in the manner in which teaching is being done.?

Both of those highly qualified persons are certain that if this situation persists, then it?s going to be very problematic on the work force of tomorrow. The University of Mauritius need re-inventing and re-dynamising the curriculum according to the demands of our job market.

However, the University of Mauritius seems fairly confident that the new degrees will be a success among the students. They have already got 15 applicants for BA Heritage Studies, 50 applicants for Bachelor in Pharmacy and 50 applicants for BSc (Hons) Agriculture (Specialisation: Sustainable Forestry). They have also earmarked fields in which the students can turn to after their degrees.

Anushka MOOTIA

NEW COURSES

> BA (Hons) Heritage Studies

Job opportunities in teaching, research, archives, journalism, heritage research and management, museum work.

> Bachelor in Pharmacy (Bpharm)

Job opportunities as pharmacists, in clinical work, and the planned pharmaceutical hub in Mauritius

> BSc (Hons) Agriculture (Specialisation: Sustainable Forestry).

This has been put in place to sustain with the Government?s vision of ?Maurice, île Durable?

Source: Registry of the University of Mauritius