The School of Education at Apeejay Stya University (ASU) , Gurugram recently organised an insightful guest lecture on the theme “Indo-Mauritian Collaboration in Education & Culture”, which featured noted academician and educational consultant Dr. Girish Mautadin from Mauritius, who shared his perspectives on the historical, cultural, and educational ties between India and Mauritius. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from B.Ed, Integrated B.Ed students, and interested learners from other departments, including international students.
The programme commenced with a warm welcome extended by Ms. Vandana (B.A. B.Ed) and Ms. Ashima (B.Ed), who also anchored the session with confidence and grace. Dr. Vijay Kumar, Head of the Department, formally introduced Dr. Girish Mautadin and highlighted his contributions in the field of education. He invited the guest to share his thoughts on strengthening collaborative prospects between the two nations.
In his address, Dr. Girish provided a comprehensive overview of Mauritius, describing it as a small yet vibrant island nation known for its multicultural identity and scenic beauty. He elaborated on its geographical location, ecological diversity, economic structure, and the livelihood patterns of its people. He also discussed the evolution of the Mauritian education system and the strong cultural and linguistic influences that shape its identity.
Emphasizing the deep-rooted historical connections between India and Mauritius, Dr. Girish noted that a significant number of Indian migrants had settled in Mauritius over the years, contributing immensely to the country’s social, economic, and cultural development. He highlighted how Indian teachers have played a vital role in shaping school education in Mauritius. At the higher education level, he spoke about collaborative initiatives between the two countries, particularly in the fields of travel and tourism, hospitality, medicine, and other professional studies, including opportunities for internships and academic exchange.
The session concluded with an engaging interaction segment where students and faculty posed questions related to travel procedures to Mauritius, opportunities in medical education, cost of higher studies, food culture, sports, and recreational activities. Dr. Girish responded thoughtfully, providing practical insights and encouraging academic collaboration.
In the concluding remarks, Prof. Ananda Padhan further enriched the discussion by proposing collaborative initiatives in Ph.D. programmes and research exchanges. He expressed gratitude to Dr. Girish for his enlightening lecture and valuable insights.
The guest lecture proved to be intellectually enriching and opened avenues for future academic partnerships, fostering cross-cultural understanding and international educational collaboration at Apeejay Stya University.