As per the Council’s 411th meeting approved paper (28 February 2024), the key role of the OIIAD is to coordinate and facilitate outer islands, regional and international activities of the institute by working closely with external partners and MIE instances responsible for research, curriculum development and higher studies.
The main responsibilities are as follows:
- Facilitate outer islands and international strategic partnerships and mutually beneficial collaborations with educational institutions, organizations, and government authorities in the areas of teacher education, curriculum development and educational research.
- Support outer islands and international educational research collaborations, joint projects, and funding opportunities.
- Coordinate exchange programmes for students, teaching staff (academics) and non-teaching staff, including inbound and outbound mobility initiatives.
- Devise strategies to promote visibility/branding of the institute regionally and globally; and
- Coordinate support services for outer islands and international students, visiting scholars, including orientation programmes, student visa and housing assistance, and cultural integration activities.
The Desk facilitates various operational activities aimed at enriching the educational landscape of Mauritius and the region. These activities include:
- International Student Recruitment: Identifying and working with international student recruitment agencies as well as participating in international fairs for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
- Accommodation & Support Services: Providing housing assistance, support for visa application and responding to academic or administrative queries from outer islands and international students.
- Cultural Integration: Organising orientation programs and cultural integration activities for outer islands and international students as well as visiting scholars.
- Student & Staff Mobility: Managing both inbound and outbound exchange programs for students and academic staff.
- Conferences & Workshops: Facilitating the organisation and participation in regional and international events, including webinars, training sessions, and seminars.