Dr Maleika Heenaye-Mamode Khan and Dr Dorothy Cooshna-Naik, representatives of the University of Mauritius , visited Academia Institute of Technology between 30 June and 7 July 2026 as part of the Erasmus+ Staff Mobility programme. The purpose of their visit was to collaborate on the preparation of a joint project proposal under the Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) 2027 call, which Academia is preparing together with the University of Novi Sad and the Mauritian university. The mobility also represented an opportunity for knowledge exchange, strengthening international cooperation and familiarisation with the Slovenian dual higher education system.
Our participation in the Erasmus+ mobility programme at Academia in Maribor was a very valuable and beneficial experience that significantly contributed to our professional development and the University of Mauritius's efforts towards internationalisation.
During the mobility, we worked closely with project partners, particularly with colleagues from the University of Novi Sad, who provided us with valuable support in preparing the project proposal through their experience and knowledge. Their extensive experience with Capacity Building projects enabled us to gain a better understanding of the structure, requirements and expectations of such Erasmus+ projects.
Through several working meetings, we jointly defined the project objectives, determined work packages and discussed the implementation strategy for the proposed initiative. An important part of our contribution was dedicated to preparing a comprehensive needs analysis for Mauritius. This enabled us to assess the current state of higher education, identify existing gaps and define the key challenges that the project will address. Based on the findings, we prepared an initial plan for developing a dual higher education system adapted to the specificities of the Mauritian environment.
An important focus of the visit was also the meeting with the director, principal and staff at Academia, our host institution. They presented to us the practical aspects of implementing the dual higher education system and the successful cooperation between higher education institutions and the economy. Through presentations and examples of good practice, we gained better insight into the way academic knowledge is connected with practical training in the workplace, which enables students to acquire both theoretical knowledge and practical competences.
In addition to project activities, the mobility offered numerous opportunities for professional development, institutional learning and knowledge exchange. We became acquainted with the social and economic environment of Maribor and gained broader insight into the Slovenian higher education system. The visit enabled the exchange of good practices in the areas of curriculum development, quality assurance, higher education institution management and cooperation with the economy.
We also discussed possibilities for future cooperation, including opportunities for mobility of University of Mauritius students and further strengthening of institutional partnerships.
The mobility also represented an excellent opportunity for networking with international partners and establishing relationships that will support future joint research projects, academic exchanges and capacity-building initiatives. Becoming acquainted with Slovenian culture and educational practices further enriched our understanding of different higher education systems and presented innovative approaches that could be adapted to the Mauritian environment.
The Erasmus+ mobility was an extremely valuable experience that deepened our knowledge of dual higher education, strengthened our ability to collaborate effectively in preparing the CBHE project proposal and further reinforced the University of Mauritius's commitment to international cooperation, innovation and excellence in higher education. The knowledge, partnerships and experience gained during the visit will significantly contribute to the successful development and implementation of future joint projects.
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Source: Academia (14. 7. 2026).
This English summary was produced automatically from the Slovenian article and is pending editorial review. Slovenska različica
