Amongst Jeetah’s plans to transform Mauritius into a “knowledge hub” is the goal of increasing the number of Mauritians enrolling in higher education to 70%, a rate more than four times higher than many of their African neighbours.

Mauritius has already seen an impressive rise in their student enrolment figures; in 2000 15% of 20-24 year olds were pursuing higher education, whilst in 2009 that figure had shot up to 45%.

Jeetah hopes to achieve the 70% target by 2015 and to have attracted 100,000 international students to Mauritius by 2020. To achieve these goals the Mauritian government will be investing 600 million rupees (US$19 million) on the construction of a new university campus at Réduit to serve 8,000 new students.

Further plans under consideration include the establishment of a new university, possibly at Montagne-Blanche, as well as loosening the restrictions on international student visas and work permits. The Mauritian government will also be working with foreign institutions wishing to open branches on the island and promoting the nation at international education fairs.

The Mauritian government now spends 4.5 billion rupees on the infrastructure of public and private education institutions.