Mauras College of Dentistry and Hospital and Oral Institute Courses Offered

(No. B/68) Mrs L. D. Dookun-Luchoomun (Third Member for La Caverne & Phoenix) asked the Minister of Education, Culture and Human Resources whether, in regard to the Mauras School of Dentistry, he will, for the benefit of the House, obtain from the Tertiary Education Commission, information as to –
(a) the date on which the application for its operation was made;
(b) the date of approval;
(c) the institution to which the Mauras School of Dentistry is affiliated, and
(d) the number of students who have completed the Bachelor in Dental Surgery Course from the School of Dentistry. (Withdrawn) 

MAURAS SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY – STUDENTS – REGISTRATION (31/03/09)(No. B/69) Mrs L. D. Dookun-Luchoomun (Third Member for La Caverne & Phoenix) asked the Minister of Health and Quality of Life whether, in regard to the students of the Mauras School of Dentistry, he will state the number thereof who have been registered at the Dental Council of Mauritius. (Withdrawn) FOREIGN TERTIARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS – PERMITS (14/04/09)(No. B/203) Mrs L.D. Dookun-Luchoomun (Third Member for La Caverne & Phoenix) asked the Minister of Education, Culture and Human Resources whether, in regard to the granting of permits to Foreign Tertiary Educational Institutions wishing to operate in Mauritius, he will, for the benefit of the House, obtain from the Tertiary Education Commission, information as to the criteria used by the Commission for the granting thereof.

Dr Bunwaree: Mr Speaker, Sir, the Tertiary Education Commission is statutorily responsible for regulating the operation, registration and programme accreditation of Tertiary Educational Institutions (TEI) (both local and foreign). There are currently different possibilities for a foreign TEI to operate in Mauritius. These are as follows –
(i) incorporating a local company which will offer programme(s) leading to a diploma/degree awarded by any other foreign/local awarding body;
(ii) partnering with an already established local post secondary educational institution in Mauritius to offer its programme(s) through that institution. In that case, the local institution will become the vehicle through which the foreign institution will operate;
(iii) setting up of a Branch Campus in Mauritius, and
(iv) setting up of a separate entity from the parent institution with degree awarding powers at the start of activities. I am tabling a full set of the guidelines for the operation of a TEI (in Mauritius) which are very detailed. These guidelines are also available on the website of the Tertiary Education Commission. For the information of the House, Mr Speaker, Sir, however, I can summarise these guidelines, which refer to elements which aim at ensuring that only credible and bona fide institutions operate in Mauritius. They refer to sponsorship and governance, location, physical facilities, proposed programmes of study, curriculum, development of academic programmes, academic structure, admissions, fee structure, examination and assessment, quality assurance and student supervision, research, students, staff, national and international collaboration, financial plan, phased development of the institution and marketing and promotion. Mr Speaker, Sir, the House will agree that the setting up of a TEI locally is not to be taken lightly as the reputation of Mauritius may be at stake. Consequently, the TEC has developed clear procedures for registration of a TEI and programme accreditation in order to ensure quality provision. I am also tabling these procedures. Nevertheless, we are also aware that business needs to be facilitated if we wish to attract investors in the context of the setting up of a knowledge hub in Mauritius. The TEC Board is currently reviewing the set of procedures so that the registration of institutions and the accreditation of their programmes are simplified without however compromising on quality. 

Mrs Dookun-Luchoomun: May I ask the hon. Minister whether he is satisfied that all tertiary institutions operating in Mauritius have got their courses accredited and that the qualifications and awards received by the students are recognised by the authorities in Mauritius? 

Dr Bunwaree: Generally I must say ‘yes’. As I said the TEC has got that responsibility, but there are problems now and then, which crop up and we take care of them. 

Mrs Dookun-Luchoomun: Mr Speaker, Sir, may I ask the hon. Minister whether he has received any complaints – written or otherwise – from students who are attending such institutions in Mauritius, regarding the nature and the level standard of courses being given? 

Dr Bunwaree: Yes we do receive complaints and we take care of them. Mr Varma: Can the hon. Minister inform the House how many such permits have been granted so far? 

Dr Bunwaree: I need notice of this question, Sir. I do not have the details. Mr Speaker: Next question. MAURAS SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY – OPERATION (14/04/09)(No. B/204) Mrs L. D. Dookun-Luchoomun (Third Member for La Caverne & Phoenix) asked the Minister of Education, Culture and Human Resources whether, in regard to the Mauras School of Dentistry, he will, for the benefit of the House, obtain from the Tertiary Education Commission, information as to -(a) the date on which the application for its operation was made;(b) the date of approval;(c) the institution to which the Mauras School of Dentistry is affiliated, and(d) the number of students who have completed the Bachelor in Dental Surgery Course from the School of Dentistry. 

Dr. Bunwaree: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am informed by the Tertiary Education Commission that –
(a) The R F Gandhi A K Trust Ltd, operating as the Mauras College of Dentistry and Hospital and Oral Research Institute sought the approval of the Government of Mauritius for the setting up of a Dental College in Mauritius in September 2001;(b) Upon the recommendations of a Technical Committee set up by the then Ministry of Education & Scientific Research, provisional permission was given to the R F Gandhi A K Trust on 23 August 2002 to set up a 40 seat private dental college for the running of a 5-year BDS (Bachelor in Dental Surgery) programme, comprising a final year internship. Final permission was granted on 10 July 2003 following which the College was registered on 15 August 2003 with the Mauritius Quality Authority as a private post secondary educational institution. With the enactment of the Education and Training (Miscellaneous Provisions Act) in May 2005, the College is now registered with TEC. The registration, which is renewable on a yearly basis, is valid up to 31 July 2009.(c) As regards part (c) of the question, the Mauras College of Dentistry is affiliated to the Bhavnagar University, Bhavnagar, Gujarat, India.(d) A cohort of 35 students completed the 5-year BDS programme at the College in 2008. They were issued with a Provisional BDS Degree Certificate in August 2008 and awarded their final degree in December 2008. 

Mrs Dookun Luchoomun: May I ask the hon. Minister which institution was the awarding body? Dr. Bunwaree: The Mauras College of Dentistry, as I said, is affiliated to the Bhavnagar University, Bhavnagar Gujarat India which is recognised by the University Grants Commission, India enlisted on the International Handbook of the Universities. 

Mrs Dookun Luchoomun: May I ask the hon. Minister whether there were any complaints from the Bhavnagar University regarding the standards of operation of the Mauras School of Dentistry? 

Dr. Bunwaree: According to regulations set by international norms, when the students finish their studies, they get registered at the Dental Council. For the Indians, it is in India and for the Mauritians, it is in Mauritius. There is a set of issues that have to be taken care of and looked into. In fact, the Dental Council of India, at one point in time, came for a visit and they underlined a few shortcomings. These have to be looked into. But I must say we are gone above this now and for the first and second batches, those who were registered in the first year and the second year, the problem has been sorted out in India.