Mauritius (Open University of Mauritius)

In December 1971, the Parliament established the Mauritius College of the Air (MCA) in order to support students at primary and secondary levels. MCA used a combination of correspondence courses as well as broadcasting of educational video and audio programmes on the national radio and television. When the Government of Mauritius decided to review the objectives of the MCA, this resulted in the approval of the new MCA Act in 1985. As per this new Act, MCA was set up to promote education, arts, science and culture generally through mass media and distance education methods. In 1994, the Division of Distance Education was set up to develop the institutional capacity of MCA to deliver distance education programmes; offer adult and continuing education using distance education methodology; and to cater for the needs of those willing to gain access to education after having left the conventional system. MCA had several partners including Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) India; University of Mauritius; and Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (UK).