OPEN UNIVERSITY

of MAURITIUS
Assignment Cover Sheet
Hashim Khodabacus
Name of Learner
OU Learner ID Number 201500214
MBA- Educational Leadership
Full Programme Title

Year
1

Semester
1

Name of Part-Time
Lecturer
Module Title
Assignment Number

Mr. B. Abacousnac
1

First Submission Re-sit RePlease Tick

Submission
as Appropriate /

Assignment Due Date

30/09/2015

Date Assignment is
Submitted
30/09/15

Operations Management C4

No. of Words: (Where

Applicable)
3843

Query from Learner to Part-Time Lecturer

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I certify that I have not plagiarised the work of others or participated in unauthorised
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Signature of Learner: HASHIM KHODABACUS.................................................
Date:.30/09/2015.................................................

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Open University of Mauritius- MBA Educational Leadership

30/09/2015

Assignment Operations Management C4

TO Mr : B. Abacousnac
Submitted by : Hashim Khodabacus

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Headlines

Page

Introduction

Political Factors

Economic Factors

Social Factors

Technological Factors

Legal Factors

Religious Factors

Demographic Factors

Diplomatic Factors

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Response of Firms to each Factor

12

How Mauritius views the situation

16

Conclusion

17

List of references

19

Acknowledgement

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The Education Industry- Tertiary Education

Introduction
The Education Sector in Mauritius is constantly geared towards development of its tertiary
education in so far that it generates a huge amount of money, thereby contributing to the
annual GDP.
The existent higher education institution is actually functioning according to diverse subjects
in the view of satisfying several criteria towards the development of a new world order. In
this particular context, there exist numerous factors, both internal and external, that definitely
impact upon the industry.
The Tertiary Education Industry imparts greatly in the image Mauritius has to offer at local,
regional and international levels. The higher education system provides evidence for the
academic level of Mauritian citizens through their knowledge and experience levels.
The Tertiary Education sector however, has been going through much turbulence in the past
recent years with the issues of non-recognition/ non-accreditation of some universities that
have been operating.
The stakeholders implicated in the higher education sector have been collaborating to
enhance the industry with resources at hand while trying to offer suitable products to satisfy
the demands of the population.
The rat-race era is on.

This article will deal with the external factors that affect the tertiary education sector in
Mauritius.

Political Factors
The higher education system is touched by politics and government. Education, being a
central pillar for every government, is at the head of every political agenda. Mauritius has
been upholding the tertiary education as a major part of the public service until few years
back when private institutions began to emerge.
Every government has its own way of dealing with tertiary education in the sense that the
institutions can appear to be part of their proliferating success. A tertiary education institution
has to deal with the unceasing changes that are brought about by the government. The
government, having to satisfy the needs of the population brings about different
modifications in the legal, financial and every money making instances regularly. Therefore
the private tertiary organizations have to alter their programmes and orientation to suit the
demands of the population. The demand, which is of course engineered by the government,
creates significant commotion in the daily business of the organizations.
Furthermore, state authorities always appoint governing boards or members of the
government to chair meetings or be part of the major decision making panel of private
organizations. The latter has to obligatorily agree in order to become eligible to operate its
business.

The tertiary education landscape in Mauritius ( Year 2011 )

Economic Factors
Academic institutions always face financial challenges. Every institution depend on
extraneous elements for fiscal survival. This area comprise:
o
o
o
o
o

The tuition fees provided by students/ families or sponsors

funds from the government for operating expenses
research and training subsidies from several external agencies
charitable donations from alumni and foundations
income generating projects

There is also the task of creating employment. The idea seems lucrative at initial glances but
the implication involves the production of a competent labour force especially in terms of
lecturing.
Moreover there exist the unavoidable headlines such as the gross investment- for the whole
institution, its daily running cost, the maintainance of the infrastructures, the resourcing and
personnel management. Equipment and amenities for numerous subjects are important and
undoubtedly imply a great cost to meet the economy of the industry.
According to Kerr, clark: 2001 ( The Uses of the University), the change in government
policy during the recent years regarding funding of post-secondary education institution has
resulted in a general unwillingness to raise taxes. While the wealthiest institutions have
endowments providing a measure of financial stability, other private bodies depend largely
upon tuition income. With the number of universities growing, students are less willing to
disburse huge sums for education and thus, tertiary institutions have been obliged to limit
tuition increases which has definitely impacted on the financial viability amongst a
competitive environment
Another problem encountered in the tertiary education industry is observed when in terms of
barriers to entry in the sector. A private tertiary institution, newly born, is regarded as a new
player while the major players have already targeted diverse regions to monopolise the
market. The difficulty lies in the branding and convincing the population to adventure and
disburse their funds in what the newly instituted firm is offering.
Social Factors
Social forces affecting the sector are the gender balance in our society. Mauritian citizens
have a developed a central tendency to maintain a balance between the family, social,
academic and professional life. A two income family household would nowadays drive
tertiary institutions to cater more for the working population and adapt to the rise of feminism
or female headed households. Students presently are seeking to find flexible programmes to
suit work and family requirements. The actual condition prescribes that the cohorts attending
higher education bodies are widely dispersed groups with diversity of interests and academic
skills and backgrounds. The demand for conventional areas of education has highly decreased
recently and conversely students are interested in non-common areas.
The present tendency demonstrates that there is a great demand for post graduate / masters
level of education. Business personnel have to evaluate the needs for particular areas of skills
which would then tally with the students demands. The curriculum of subjects prepared by
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tertiary institutions has to be designed in such a way that it hyperlinks with the professional
evolution of the student. This global general direction has forced the local institutions to
revise curriculum to provide more flexible courses to respond positively to the needs of the
market and clients.
Tertiary education institutions in Mauritius keep more or less the same programme of study at
tertiary levels over the years. With the saturation that is getting more and more concentrated
over the recent years, there should be various changes to satisfy the current demands.
Academic institutions have also moved quickly to expand and diversify the curriculum to
meet new societal needs, whether it be the growth of medical education in the universities or
the remarkable expansion of business schools in the postWorld War II period. There is an
inevitable tension between ideas of autonomy ingrained in academic institutions and
pressures from society. In the twenty-first century, external pressures of all kindseconomic,
political, and others characterize the higher-education system.

Technological Factors
Recent advancements in the fields of technology inevitably impact the tertiary sector. We are
constantly being reminded of the revolution technology has brought into our everyday lives.
Practically every industry nowadays is dependent on technology for its optimal functioning.
This does include the tertiary education sector. All the operations of the institution has to be
computerised, programmed and executed in interactive ways. The institution has the primal
need to be up-to-date with the latest technologies where the use of various applications on
laptops, mobile phones, or projectors to enhance the general pedagogical experience.
The Legal System
The legal system also has an impact on higher education and establishes an important
external force for universities and tertiary institutions. Court decisions can directly or
indirectly affect higher education. Court decisions have been of paramount importance and
much controversy have been noted concerning affirmative action for both students and
faculty.
Courts, from time to time, interpose in university decisions concerning incumbency and
promotion if specific complaints are made, and academic decisions are sometimes
overturned. Court decisions thus set precedents for academic policy.
Besides, there is the local regulatory framework, established by the tertiary education
commission which has its word in the effectuation of the industry. The commission has the
power of accrediting and recognition and can directly impose laws or clauses which may
facilitate or complicate matters for a particular firm in the industry. The TEC has high
connections in the political arena and can thereby be manipulated to suit political agendas
which shall thereafter affect tertiary institutions.

Religious Factors
Religion has been a fundamental factor in the foundation of Mauritius as a multicultural
society whereby different cultures and traditions exist in an assortment to be displayed.
Religion has notably been viewed to be of cardinal importance in education and the education
industry has always been dependent upon religion for its versatile advantages that yield
money.
The process of secularization in Mauritius is being encouraged but the tenure of religion
across almost all spheres of development is too high to be eradicated. The different tertiary
institutions that have cropped up over the years have always attracted students coming from
the same respective religious backgrounds. For example, MGI has been instructing mostly
hindu students while DATS has been accommodating Muslim students. Elsewhere, the Ecole
Hotlire has been attracting mostly people of Christian backgrounds.
According to the current global trend, religious influences has become much less pervasive
by the end of the twentieth century. In many countries, religion does not play a substantial
role in education . The reduction of that role has been fortified by constitutional separation of
religious agencies and the state. The agencies can no longer fund education institutions.
However, in Mauritius, there is the need to uphold the culture and traditions emanating from
religions is relatively very high since political agendas have to be satisfied. Furthermore, the
tourism industry is largely forwarded by the diversity of religions existing in the country.

Demographic Factors
The increased competition is partly a result of the altering demographic realisms that is
currently materialising. Spectacular changes have occurred that affect academic institutions.
Education has become a compulsory asset for every person. With the process of postmodernization and socialization, the concept of the modern man has emerged across all
cultures. Mauritius has not been left behind. The access to education has been facilitated in
many ways in the country. According to statistics, the number of people who are interested in
pursuing higher education is constantly increasing. The age group no more lies strictly in the
18- 25 years of age. Education is no more restricted to a particular gender, age group, sex,
class, social status or intellectual abilities. Some tertiary institutions are overcrowded with
students while others are relatively empty. Universities now, hence, have to cater also for
different segments of the population.
A substantial part of the numeral enlargement of registrations in the late twentieth century
comprised non conventional pupilsindividuals who are older than the common college age
and who initiate their studies in vocational fields.

Other population groups of students do not possess all of the skills needed for postsecondary
study. These students most of the time necessitate remedial education or crash courses that
universities must provide. Therefore, the academic system has to adjust to a wider population
to become more profitable on the market.
With the rise of feminism, there has emerged an urgent need for change in the education
industry. Be it in terms of subjects offered or the general procedures, there has been much
adaptation to accommodate the feminist demands. The industry, having to cater for the
equality of education and equal rights for everyone, has had to change various policies and
ways of lecturing. Many concessions have to be made to supplement female learners with the
best alternatives in different cases.
The pressures of demography on the higher-education system have been consequent. The
sensational amplification of the student population, increased diversity, and more variation by
age, ability, and interest have all transformed the academic landscape. It can be demonstrated
in the graph below :

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Diplomatic Factors
The industry very often has to cope with the overseas universities that possess branches in the
country. This implies the correct maintainance and management of diplomatic ties to
facilitate the process of accreditation and awarding of degrees or scholarships. The main
universities often have clauses and conditions of their own which the industry has to agree
after negotiations to proceed with the academia. There is also the depreciation or appreciation
of foreign currency which will emphatically affect the fees and other concerned costs for
operations.

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Response of firms to each factor:

How firms are responding to the political factors
Firms respond to the political factors affecting the organization by developing strategies
where there lies the benefit of the current government. The latter disposes the required permit
to operate and the firms often enter a mutual agreement with the government to forward the
political agendas or decorate the government such that both parties come to a mutual win.
In some cases, private tertiary institutions have allowed the government to become
shareholders in the company to enhance its image. For example, the DATS which was a fully
private institution funded by Qatar is now being mutually controlled by the government
which gives an annual grant for the operations in progress. The government also facilitates
the procedures of accreditation with the TEC which benefits the institution.

Dealing with the Economic Factors

Tertiary organizations are dealing with this issue in terms of generation of funds from
various several external sources. They are constantly presenting projects as to what
they are doing to bring forth funds from other countries and agencies.
Successful negotiations are carried out by managers at all levels to market the
academy and attract students.
For example; the newly created university- Greenwich University of Pakistan, is currently
revising its fees structure to accommodate maximum students to begin the courses.

Funds are raised through different trusts, persons and interested parties who then
become shareholders in the project.
There is extensive use of marketing and advertising that is being done to draw
peoples attention towards the university.
Institutions also provide scholarships, fully or partially to trigger maximum student
admissions.

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Responding to Social factors

The tertiary education institutions in the country are designing their programmes
based on gender equality.
They are orientating more towards distance learning education to allow a larger
number of students to study while taking into consideration the fact that the latter
work and are therefore dispensing courses after office hours or during week-ends.
Education firms are enlarging the fields for masters level in different subject areas and
not restricting towards only a few common subjects.
The firms are also conducting intensive research alongside public and private bodies
to decode the areas in which the employers require personnel and are thus preparing
tailor-made courses for professionals for proper development of businesses.

Responding to Technological factors

o Technology experts and staffs are being invested upon by tertiary firms in the view of
updating their system with the current global order.
o IT is being used as a compulsory tool for presentation of works and projects.
o There is also major investment on apparatus and computers or tablets which are made
user friendly for the students to enable a more interactive mode of study.
o Much of the lectures and reading materials are broadcasted through skype and other
computer software to facilitate learning processes.
o The firms are, besides, introducing IT modules in practically all subjects that are
offered for undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

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Dealing with Legal Issues

Tertiary institutions are responding to the legal aspects by complying with the rules
and regulations imposed by the Tertiary Education Commission.

Much emphasis is being placed upon quality education and recognition after the
tertiary education industry has recently been shaken with the events of DY Patil
Medical College and EIILM University.

Coping with Religious matters

o The firms are constantly allowing an array of staffs ranging from different religious
background in the decision making management level.
o There are courses devised about interfaith studies at the main local University of
Mauritius. In addition, the MGI provides courses based on traditions and values to
keep the disciplined cultures ongoing.

Responding to Demographic Factors

Almost all tertiary institutions are currently devising remedial education or crash
courses to welcome people who do not have the required skills to begin a post
secondary course.
There are courses designed for people of all age groups. Students coming from
overseas are also welcomed in such manners such that they integrate the Mauritian
culture.
Students with illnesses ( AIDS ) are encouraged to apply and learn further through
awareness seminars.
Workshops are organised to suit special needs students to improve their chances of
pursuing higher education.

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The table shows that the number of girl students is actually higher than that of boys. The rise
in feminism has brought this change
Being Diplomatic
Tertiary Education firms usually send delegates abroad to conduct negotiations with
the main university board such that courses offered locally can be endorsed easily.
They are also accentuating on the development of international relations while trying
to offer holiday packages to the education panel members abroad to visit Mauritius
and substantiate ties.

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How Mauritius views the situation :

According to the TEC report by Praveen MOHADEB
( Executive Director)

Contribution of the tertiary Education Sector to the Economic

Development of Mauritius
o Higher order knowledge
o Supply of skilled and trained workforce
o Democracy and economic and Political stability
o Law and order
o New fields of study
o programmes /institutions
o /private
o sector
o Research
o Support to industry and Government
o Higher standard of living and quality of life
o Technological catch up

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Conclusion

Todays Higher education institution is now operating in the context of marketing and
branding, promotion of excellence and excellence in management. In this setting the
following have to be areas of concentration:

Staff training and development

The development and implementation of formal strategic plans
Establishment of partnerships and collaboration with other higher education
institutions, commerce and industry
Entrepreneurship and cash generation
Research orientation

Survival of todays university is dependent on mergers, federation, collaboration and joint

ventures in the same way that private business organizations operate funding for research. As
the universities plans strategically, the central focus will be the market for students,
globalization trends, the issues of trade and extending to new frontiers.

What is required of the Tertiary Education Sector?

o Align mission with Government objectives
o Provide Quality Higher Education
o Improve Learning and Teaching
o Raise educational profile of population
o Provide competitive and quality workforce- versatile - matching
o instructions to the needs of business and industry
o Identify the needs of business and industry
o Provide training to meet the changing needs of the industry
o Create more knowledge workers- to drive knowledge intensive industries
o Provide required skills and competencies for regional and international
competitiveness.
o Involve in job alliances-linkages with industry for placement and employment
The Firm is expected to focus on the following:

Staff training as a priority

Establishment of clear goals
Marketing
Establishment of Key partnerships with other universities, industry and commerce
Ensure adequate Student numbers so as to be viable
Generate cash to fund programmes

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The Future Of Todays Universities

Mergers
Federation
Collaboration
The students are first (student-centred approach)
Student/lecturer ratio is critical
The academics development process is key
Research is critical to all academic programmes
Expansion of University education
High priority to learning and teaching
Creation of Institute for Learning and Teaching
Programmes specification
Quality agenda
Revolving loan fund for research
Governance in funding
Support for all initiatives, which do not cost money. Initiatives with resource
implications deferred until after comprehensive spending review.
Higher Education to play a key role in Lifelong Learning and to make a bigger future
contribution by:
-

Links to economy

Staff - in the long term, all teachers in Tertiary Educaiton should carry a professional qualification

Governance

Funding
HEs role in a knowledge-driven economy
Demand for HE
Impact of new technology
Recruitment and rewarding of staff
Quality assurance credible but non-bureaucratic
International competition
Social inclusion/widening participation

There is also concern as to the quality of e-learning, how to regulate and how to assess. New
strategies are needed to improve management and lift the level of efficiency.Todays
University has to emphasise internationalisation and entrepreneurship.
All systems have to be properly assessed prior to implementation so as to determine how they
will be maintained. Management development, recruitment, training and proper performance
appraisal are critical to maintain a sustainable high quality educational institution.

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List of References :

Tertiary Education Commission Report.

Report -Participation in Tertiary
Education 2013
Changing Structures of the Higher Education Systems: The Increasing Complexity of
Underlying Forces Ulrich teichler
Walker, C. J. 2003. Characteristics of colleges that engender high well-being in their faculty,
http://web.sbu.edu/vitality/faculty_vitality/institutional_well-being.html [2003, July 23].
Lee, J. J. and J. A. Rhoads. 2003, Faculty entrepreneurial and the challenge to undergraduate
education. Unpublished manuscript.
Howe. 2002. Contending With Change: Reviewing Tertiary Education in the English Speaking
Caribbean. Caracas: The International Institute for Higher Education for Higher Education in
Latin America and the Caribbean (IESALC), UNESCO.
Baldwin, R. G. 1998. Technology's impact on faculty life and work. New Directions for
Teaching and Learning 76, 7-21

Website : Higher Education in Context - Economic Factors, An Era of Competition,

Demographic Realities, Governmental Political and Legal Challenges, Religious

Factors - StateUniversity.com
http://education.stateuniversity.com/pages/2041/Higher-Education-inContext.html#ixzz3n9fRxZYC.

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Acknowledgements

I, Hashim Khodabacus, am certifying that this is my work for the assignment (Operations
Management C4 ) Open University of Mauritius for the MBA-Educational Leadership Programme.

I further wish to thank my lecturer for the aforesaid module Mr B. Abacousnac for his precious
lectures.

With Sincere Thanks

Hashim Khodabacus

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