Survey background
In late 2024, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) carried out three surveys of educational leaders, academic staff, and students across Mauritius. The goal was to capture a clear picture of how artificial intelligence is entering higher education. The questionnaires were validated by UNESCO’s Dr Shafika Isaacs, and institutions such as the University of Mauritius, the University of Technology, Université des Mascareignes, Middlesex University Mauritius, the Mauritius Institute of Education, and the Mauritius Institute of Training and Development all took part.
Awareness without policies
The surveys reveal a striking contrast. Leaders, staff, and students alike are already familiar with AI, and many are actively following new developments. Yet most institutions still have no formal policy for how AI should be used in teaching, assessment, or administration. Leaders strongly believe that a national strategy is needed to give higher education a clear direction.
How staff use AI
Among lecturers and academic staff, AI is already appearing in classrooms. Many are using tools such as virtual teaching assistants, adaptive learning platforms, or chatbots to support students. These tools are becoming part of weekly practice for a significant group of teachers. However, when it comes to grading and assessment, staff remain cautious. Only a minority have experimented with AI for plagiarism detection, rubrics, or automated grading, while the majority still rely on traditional approaches.
The student perspective
Students show both enthusiasm and pragmatism. Most already use AI in their studies, especially for research, generating study notes, personalised learning suggestions, and instant feedback. They see AI as a way to make learning more accessible and efficient, and the vast majority believe it improves their overall experience. At the same time, students raise concerns about the reliability of AI-generated content, the handling of their personal data, and the ethical implications of using these systems. Some also worry about the impact AI could have on the role of lecturers in the future.
Challenges institutions face
The barriers to AI integration are consistent across groups. Leaders mention limited digital infrastructure, insufficient training, lack of funding, and resistance to change. Staff highlight the need for more hands-on training, better integration of AI tools with existing systems, and stronger safeguards for privacy and fairness. These challenges show that enthusiasm alone is not enough — resources and preparation are just as important.
Priorities and the role of government
When looking ahead, institutions place their greatest emphasis on supporting students and strengthening assessment. They also point to research, faculty training, administration, and curriculum development as key areas where AI can add value. Ethical guidelines, privacy rules, and stronger data governance are seen as essential foundations. Leaders expect government to take the lead in shaping policy, providing funding, raising public awareness, encouraging industry partnerships, and overseeing regulation.
Recommendations
The HEC report calls for a balanced and structured approach. It recommends clear ethical frameworks, investment in infrastructure, curriculum reform, capacity building, collaboration with industry, and more opportunities for research and innovation. Pilot projects are advised before scaling up, and international collaboration is encouraged so Mauritius can learn from global experience while tailoring solutions to its own context.
Outlook for 2025
The picture that emerges is of a sector eager to embrace AI but still underprepared. Students are already adopting the technology on their own, lecturers are cautiously experimenting, and leaders are pressing for national coordination. To make progress in 2025, Mauritius will need to close the policy gap, invest in digital and human capacity, and address student concerns about privacy and reliability. With a clear framework and thoughtful implementation, AI could become a powerful ally in strengthening higher education.
