● What does the country need in terms of skills and expertise?

According to the director of the Mauritius Employers Federation (MEF), Azad Jeetun, students must realise that, with a mere HSC, career perspectives are limited. The country now needs high-value added expertise to succeed in its modernisation process.

● Does it mean that students must make sure they are more specialised?

Yes, it means that students can?t simply study in a general field as they used to do 15 years ago. Having a diploma in Finance or Law is not enough. ?Specialists in offshore, in investment banking, financial analysts, risk managers, fund managers or specialists in forensic accounting ? and even financial services law are the most valued ones,? explains Azad Jeetun.

● Which fields does the country need most at the moment?

Fields such as cyber law, commercial law, Intellectual Property Law, International Corporate and Business Law are among the legal fields that require the highest number of people. But the country also needs people to work in fields such as the information and communication technologies ? engineers and specialised technicians ? or the financial sector. In the medical field, the priority sectors are cardiology, dental surgery, heart surgery, psychiatry or dietetics only to mention a few of them.

● Where should students seek for more information about fields of study?

A list is available at the Tertiary Education Commission or online. This list of Indiciative Priority Fields of Study 2007-2008 has been drafted after consultations with the private sector.