[Vidéo news] Official launch of the Mauritius branch of StudyWest Education Services

Introduction and Personal Journey
On a late Friday afternoon in 2018, I received a call that would change my life. Jarad from Studywest Perth, representing a prestigious Australian university, reached out to help process my application.

Our journey began five years ago when he extended his hand to me and my family, and now, we stand here today to extend that same help to other Mauritian and African students through StudyWest.

Thank you, Jarad. It has been an honour to work with you in Perth, and it is my honour to fight beside you for the education of our children.

Purpose and Vision
StudyWest is about our children and their future. It is with great pleasure that I welcome you all to the grand opening of StudyWest Mauritius. Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to foster change in the world. This sentiment, often echoed by global leaders, is a testament to the transformative power of education, and I can confirm its truth.

At StudyWest, we strongly support the « A Seat for All » agenda. We are dedicated to providing optimal guidance to students and parents, tailoring our advice to their individual circumstances. While the most accomplished students often have multiple options for higher education, our primary challenge lies in assisting students with average Cambridge scores.

Despite these scores, we believe that every child has the potential to pursue higher education in Western Australia through articulated pathways. We have successfully guided numerous international students along these pathways, enabling them to enrol in Bachelor’s and subsequently pursue Master’s degrees in their chosen fields.

Achievements and Commitment
According to academic research, 61% of students with an average Cambridge score who followed a specific pathway have successfully obtained a Bachelor’s degree. In comparison, 19% have gone on to earn a Master’s degree.

StudyWest aims to demystify education by making it more accessible without compromising quality. We offer Mauritian students from all walks of life the opportunity to pursue higher education in Western Australia.

Our commitment aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. We are dedicated to reducing disparities and inequities in education, both in terms of access and quality.
Over the years, StudyWest has developed strong and mutually beneficial collaborations with most Western Australian universities and vocational education providers. By securing the participation of the Western Australian Government, universities, pathway providers, vocational education and training (VET) providers, and high schools, we foster collaboration across different educational sectors.

Upcoming Events and Future Goals
The upcoming event on July 13th will bring together these diverse stakeholders, along with the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA), to ensure representation from various levels of the education system in Western Australia. Implementing a multidisciplinary approach enhances our impact and efficacy, promoting a thorough understanding of educational opportunities in Western Australia. This comprehensive showcase will enrich the perspective of the student community in Mauritius.

The event’s focus on community integration and cultural exchange will enhance the overall development of Mauritian students, ensuring a positive and enriching experience in Western Australia.

Personal Reflections and Conclusion
Many of you here knew my late father, Bhismadev Seebaluck, who liberated me from any preconceived barriers in life. I once was a practical entrepreneur lacking formal educational credentials, but I have since bridged the worlds of academia and practical business.

This journey is one that other children can also achieve. I strongly advocate for the transformative power of education in fostering individual and collective progress.

Thank you to everyone who made today possible, especially to my wife, Sharon, for her unwavering support.

Closing
Ladies and gentlemen, the future of education in Mauritius and Africa is bright with the establishment of StudyWest. Together, we can ensure that every child has the opportunity to achieve their dreams through education. Thank you for your attention, and I look forward to our collaborative journey ahead.

Director of Studywest, Perth

In 2012, I embarked on my journey as an international student in Western Australia. Having grown up in Zimbabwe and having spent time in the UK, I eventually found myself studying in Perth. The experiences I had, from high school in Zimbabwe to my studies in Australia, were vastly different yet incredibly enriching. After completing my education in Australia, I took on various roles before co-founding StudyWest Education Services in May 2017. Our mission was clear: to provide friendly, reliable, and consistent support to international students in Perth.

Our journey began with our first student, Muchaneta, a young lady from Zimbabwe who needed help transitioning from her Diploma of Nursing to a Bachelor Degree of Nursing. With StudyWest’s support, she graduated and became a registered nurse in Australia. Today, she lives in Western Australia with her husband and two children, a living testament to the transformative power of education.

Tonight, we celebrate a new chapter as we officially launch StudyWest Mauritius. This initiative aligns perfectly with the Mauritian government’s vision to make Mauritius a leading global education destination. We envision Mauritius as a beacon of educational excellence, where students can thrive in a safe, multicultural society. With its impressive infrastructure and esteemed educational institutions, Mauritius stands as an ideal hub for international education.

At StudyWest, our mission has always been about more than just providing opportunities—it’s about changing lives. Our « a seat for all » agenda embodies our unwavering commitment to ensuring every student in Mauritius has the chance to pursue higher education. We strive to bridge the gap between dreams and reality, offering guidance and creating pathways for students to access world-class education, whether in Mauritius, Western Australia, or beyond.

We envision StudyWest as a lifeline for African students aspiring to study in Mauritius, facilitating a smooth transition and fostering rich cultural exchange. By welcoming international students to Mauritius, we aim to enrich the local community and cultivate a vibrant, diverse environment where everyone can learn and grow together.

We respect the current school curriculum in Mauritius, recognizing its strengths in laying a solid educational foundation. We also see the immense potential to introduce additional diversity to cater to the varied learning abilities and needs of students. Our goal is to enhance the existing curriculum by offering the internationally recognized Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE). This will enable students to achieve an education that meets global standards, aligning our vision with every child’s unique learning journey.

As we embark on this thrilling adventure, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Honourable Minister, the High Commissioner of Australia, and all our distinguished guests for their steadfast support. Your presence here tonight highlights the significance of this initiative and fuels our passion to pursue our mission with even greater fervour.

To the directors and CEOs of high-profile companies, institutional delegates from universities, high schools, and vocational colleges—thank you for your partnership and belief in our vision. Your collaboration is the secret sauce to our success and, more importantly, to the success of the students we serve.

Together, we have a golden opportunity to revolutionize the future of education in Mauritius. We invite you all to join us in this endeavour—to collaborate, innovate, and inspire. Let’s roll up our sleeves and work together to create a brighter future for our students, and forge lasting connections between Mauritius and Western Australia.

A special thank you to my incredible parents, my wonderful wife Leanne, and my amazing children for being here tonight. Your unwavering support, love, and encouragement mean more to me than words can express. Your presence here tonight is a testament to the importance of family, the bedrock of my life, and I am profoundly grateful for everything you do.

Let’s celebrate this new beginning with hope, enthusiasm, and a shared commitment to excellence.

Thank you once again for being here. Let’s make this journey unforgettable!

Assistant Executive Director / Examinations, Certification and Testing of the School Curriculum and Standards Authority Department of Education Government of Western Australia

I’d like to begin by acknowledging the outstanding work that StudyWest is doing, particularly in their vision for collaboration with Mauritius. We are deeply honored and grateful to be a partner with StudyWest on this journey. The vision that Mauritius has for international education aligns closely with the educational strategies we are pursuing in Western Australia.

This alignment forms a strong foundation for fruitful collaboration, particularly focused on delivering quality education. My colleagues from Western Australia would agree that our core aim is to create sustainable educational outcomes that support students on their varied journeys. Today’s students have multiple pathways to follow, based on their aspirations, learning styles, and how they engage with our education systems.
Our partnership with StudyWest aims to facilitate these pathways by providing opportunities through education, curriculum, and certification. We are dedicated to recognizing and supporting the diverse needs of students.

We are truly pleased and happy to be here. On behalf of the Government of Western Australia, I can say that we feel incredibly privileged to be part of this collaboration.

Australian High Commissioner to Mauritius
It is an honour to be here this afternoon to mark another important moment in Australia’s partnership with Mauritius – the official opening of Studywest’s Mauritius office.
 
Australia and Mauritius have a strong relationship based on our historical ties, people-to-people links, common interests, and shared values in support of democracy and good governance including in the Commonwealth.
 
It is well-known that Australia is home to the second largest Mauritian diaspora in the world, with some 30,000 people of Mauritian descent living in Australia.
 
Close to 2,000 Mauritian students are currently studying in Australia, and now there are over 2,000 Mauritian and international students studying for Australian qualifications in Mauritius, either at Curtin Mauritius or other local education institutions who have partnerships with Australian education providers.
 
And of course, a major element of the Australia-Mauritius relationship is our shared Indian Ocean.
 
Australia is a committed partner in the Indian Ocean, and we recognise that Mauritius has an important position and role to play as a gateway to the region – and to the African continent.
 
Our cooperation in the Indian Ocean is deep and wide-ranging, encompassing active engagement in regional fora – like the Indian Ocean Rim Association – and multilateral efforts – like the Combined Maritime Forces – to address common challenges and pursue common interests across security and transnational crime, blue economy, environment and climate change, and women’s economic empowerment.
 
We have also been pleased to have extended our partnership recently to the Indian Ocean Commission who we have been working with to improve the region’s disaster risk management preparedness.
 
Of course, the world is increasingly globalised. We are more connected and interdependent now that at any other time in history. This was challenged during the pandemic, but things are back on track now.
 
And today, our education cooperation reflects this increasingly globalised world.
 
A great example of this was the recent graduation ceremony that I attended at Curtin Mauritius where 360 students from Mauritius, Botswana, Cameroon, France, Germany, India, Kenya, Madagascar, Namibia, Pakistan, Rwanda, Singapore, South Africa, the UAE, Zambia and Zimbabwe graduated here in Mauritius.
 
We have witnessed a growing number of research and education partnerships developing between our two countries coinciding with Mauritius’ Vision 2030 strategy of becoming a leading education hub for the region.
 
A key focus of this growing partnership has been in the field of the blue economy, but also agro-industry, health, education and training, and renewable energy with a strong focus on sustainable development – working together to draw on latest innovations and technologies. 
 
Australia’s broader education partnership is multi-layered, from pre-primary to primary, to secondary, vocational, and tertiary education.
 
It has been pleasing to see the development of the partnership between the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA) of the Western Australian Government’s Department of Education and the Dukesbridge chain of pre-primary and primary schools.
 
Dukesbridge, who also have a school in Kenya, have been offering the Western Australian curriculum in their schools here in Mauritius and are now set to offer the Western Australian Certificate of Education at their new High School.
 
And here we are today to launch another element of education cooperation between our two countries with the opening of Studywest’s office in Mauritius.
 
Studywest, as you have heard, is an associate member of the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA) of the Western Australian Government’s Department of Education who will be focussing their efforts on promoting the Western Australian Certificate of Education curriculum both here in Mauritius and the region and supporting Mauritian and African students who want to study in Australia.
 
Australia has a global reputation for excellence in education, science, and research.  We have a tradition of cutting-edge research, today looking for breakthroughs using blockchain technologies, robotics, artificial intelligence, and big data.
 
Australian education institutions have created a cadre of Australian Alumni making a difference to the communities we live in around the globe – including right here in Mauritius.
 
So, the Australian High Commission looks forward to supporting this important next phase of our education partnership.
 
Congratulations once more to all those involved.
 
Thank you.

Ladies and gentlemen. Good evening.

I’m glad to be in your midst this evening as we open a new chapter as stated earlier by Her Excellency in the academic collaboration between Mauritius and Australia.

Indeed, today we celebrate the launch of StudyWest a highly reputed education agency from Australia in Mauritius, and we hope that it will be guiding students towards Australian curriculum, provided both in Australia and in Mauritius.

I would like to take this opportunity to convey my warmest welcome to all the delegates who have travelled here for this occasion. And I wish you a very pleasant stay in Mauritius and I hope that you will also make time during this trip to visit the island and its many interesting places.

Today’s event opens a new phase in the collaboration between our two countries, highlighting once again, should this ever need to be emphasized, the excellent rapport, that exists between our two countries and our institutions.

Truly speaking, ladies and gentlemen, the partnership between Mauritius and Australia in higher education is a testament of our shared vision for academic excellence and cultural exchange. The fact that this collaboration has been ongoing for a number of years is again a testimony of its good health.

Indeed, we cannot forget that Mauritius currently hosts an Australian high education institution, while several of our public institutions have very vivid ongoing working relationships with the vast array of other Australian institutions.

Just to name but a few, the University of Mauritius has research collaboration with the University of Western Australia. The University of Technology of Mauritius has a programme agreement with Murdoch University and Polytechnics Mauritius Ltd has a top up programme with La Trobe University for its nursing course.

My ministry has had a number of collaborations and agreements with the South Metropolitan TAFE in the past, and Deakin University, and there are discussions, I’m told currently engaged with Edith Cowan University for a renewed partnership for PhD courses in Australia.

Ladies and gentlemen, when we consider our partnership with Australia. As stated earlier, it’s not just an alliance, it is about a relationship covering a number of various sectors. Her Excellency, the High Commissioner, stated that it covers various fields of sectors, and all these different sectors rest on a cross-cutting foundation, which is education.

Ladies and gentlemen, I’m very glad to hear that StudyWest getting implanted here in Mauritius will start to open up opportunities, not only for Mauritian students wishing to go abroad, but opening opportunities for a number of other students from the African mainland to come over to Mauritius and avail of diverse educational opportunities and proposals. We find that in Mauritius you can now have universities, as I’ve stated earlier, from Australia and other British universities collaborating with our local institutions to provide this diversity and various offers.
And yet, the collaboration with Australia has been extremely fruitful. As stated earlier, Curtin University have been doing very well, Polytechnics Mauritius with La Trobe has been doing very well and what is also interesting is that our education system is very much in line with what is proposed in Australia.

We believe that every child has potential, and every child should be provided with the support for him to succeed. Our system has built-in scaffolds to allow children, wherever they find themselves in the education system, whether they are in our state schools, in our public schools, in our private schools, in our vocational centers or in polytechnics, they can all eventually aspire to move up the ladder and obtain higher qualifications, for a degree course or why not, for a master’s course.

And this is what we have created with the multiple pathways in Mauritius, we have created possibilities for students in school or in vocational training to eventually converge towards high education institutions.

Now these paths were managed to be put up because we had a very close collaboration between the university and the higher education institutions, but also between the Higher Education Commission, the MQA and a number of other institutions, ensuring that there is a proper, possibility for credit transfers.
Not only are we talking about people in institutions, but we’re also talking about people working outside wishing to have some knowledge, to have some experience, and we have come up with the recognition of prior knowledge.

We have a common vision. We are looking in the same direction, and we are providing these capitals for our students to rise. Basically, our two countries have the same vision in the education sector. Now Mauritius just like Australia, has an ambition and our ambition is to make Mauritius a regional hub for higher education.

We have been working towards it and as Her Excellency just mentioned, this is one of the major, let’s say item of our vision 2030 and we have been working towards it, but we are very much conscious that we cannot achieve such a goal without the collaboration with institutions from different countries. Mainly UK, India, Australia and we already have a number of such partnerships.

In fact, we have 50 scholarships that we offer to Africa every year, and one problem that we have come up with sometimes is that some of the qualifications do not match with our university-level entry requirements.

What we have done in Mauritius is to modify the requirements so that now the scholarships are available not only for degree courses but also for diploma courses and for postgraduate courses. Enabling students to gain access to proper pathways for them to reach higher education institutions.
But what is also interesting is that Mauritius can, because of the partnerships that we have with various institutions across the world and because of the facilities that we have through our organisation, may it be the SADC or the COMESA, we can easily allow the transfer of students and we have the responsibility in the area as a member of the SADC and the COMESA to provide for scholarships on the mainland.

What we’re trying to do is to ensure that the education system that we put at their disposal is of a high standard, high quality education, but we also want it to be relevant to the needs of the country, whether it is our local needs, the needs of countries, or the needs of a continent. This is why this collaboration becomes even more crucial, even more relevant, because we want to be a supporter for the region.

We have also noted that over the past year the demographic bulge that we had in Africa will bring up a high demand of young people between the age of 18 to 25 for higher education, and I think we can easily position ourselves as a destination for that. Earlier, I spoke about our geographical location. The facilities that we have, the political stability that exists in Mauritius, the intercultural experience that we can offer, are all very strong factors that would attract students.

I must say that even in Mauritius we have around 3,000 foreign students, but it’s just a start. We want to build up on that number. We are focusing on students from the African region. But we are also, getting students from Southeast Asia and India.

Especially in the medical sector; we’re having a number of students coming into the country. We want to increase the number, but there is one very important factor that I haven’t mentioned yet, is the affordability of the courses.

If we are in collaboration with universities from Australia. Then we also need to bear in mind that when we are offering courses for the continent it has to remain affordable. Now the very fact that the students do not have to travel across the oceans to Australia and can avail of Australian courses and programmes in Mauritius will definitely lower the cost. What I would also ask StudyWest to help us in, is to create the partnership between our institutions so that we have more and more courses and articulations between these universities and our local higher education institutions so that we can not only cater for our local students but cater for the students coming to us from Africa and elsewhere.

Already, we have laid the foundation for this regional hub to operate fully, but then we need, as I said earlier, to collaborate. In essence, Excellency, ladies and gentlemen, this launch is a celebration of possibilities. It is a reminder that education cannot be confined to models. It is a universal pursuit, and it transcends graphical boundaries.

I would therefore, in this context, request the international delegates to also seize the opportunity. To open discussions and create ties with all our local higher education institutions whether they be public or private, to create ties with the aim of creating joint articulated programmes.
I will also ask of our higher education institutions to continue enhancing inter institutional cooperation as mentioned by the by Her Excellency, the High Commissioner.

There is a high need for us to develop certain areas that we had identified in our vision 2030, such as economical and sustainable development, and these are areas where we can collaborate, collaborate with Australian universities, especially in the field of research, and I believe that such collaboration has already started, but we need to enhance it and promote it.

Let us work together as stated earlier by others before us. Create this environment, this ecosystem where students can eventually grow and succeed. As we build on this foundation, we must remain connected to promoting this collaboration and providing greater institutional support, ladies and gentlemen. In conclusion, I’m confident that you will all be committed to strengthening our partnership and our shared commitment to excellence in education. For our mutual benefit, when all is said and done, the future of our students should shine brighter with our continued support and we will achieve definitely greater things together.

Thank you all for your kind attention and let me wish StudyWest Mauritius all the success, and let me also wish that StudyWest promote Mauritius as a destination for higher education.

Thank you.