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10 years of the undergraduate program of the Medical School at the University of Mauritius (UoM) (2014-2024). The initiative for the program at the University of Mauritius was spearheaded by Jean-Louis Carpentier, then Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Geneva (UNIGE). The BS program commenced in 2013 with Year 1 being hosted by the Faculty of Sciences at UoM. The curriculum for Years 2 and 3 was adapted from that developed at UNIGE, focusing on Problem-Based Learning (PBL) and Case-Based Learning (CBL). Jean-Louis Carpentier recommended that HSeT tailor and translate the CBL content from Geneva to suit the Mauritian context.

Michelle and Bernard Rossier, alongsite Jean-Pierre Kraehenbuhl, were instrumental as the primary medical professionals from HSeT in the program’s development. For the years 2 and 3 of the Bachelor,  HSeT has produced 4  online modules containing each 2 to 3 topics with case studies. This collaborative effort has marked a significant step in advancing medical education in Mauritius, aiming to cultivate a home-grown medical workforce equipped to meet the healthcare needs of the local population.

Outcome
Of the initial cohort of 27 students who enrolled in 2013, 25 successfully graduated in 2019—all of whom were Mauritian. Two students discontinued their studies; one from Bangladesh left due to repeated failures in the first year, while another Mauritian student, after passing the first-year exams, chose to pursue her studies in Belgium. Post-graduation, following an 18-month pre-registration training, the majority of these 25 graduates secured positions within the Ministry of Health, provided they chose to. Others found opportunities in private clinics and hospitals, with some opting to establish private or group practices. Notably, two graduates moved to the United Kingdom for specialty training in areas like Internal Medicine in Wales.

The first two cohorts (2019 and 2020) notably performed well in the licensing examinations conducted by the Medical Council of Mauritius, which are analogous to the Medical Council of India exams. All MD graduates passed, with 8 of the top 10 scorers being Mauritius students for two consecutive years. The feedback from Ministry of Health consultants during the pre-registration period was highly favourable, as was the feedback from private sector employers. In 2024, the largest and most modern private hospital in Mauritius (C-Care Wellkin ) expressed interest in employing our MD graduates, highlighting the program’s success and growing reputation.

Perspectives
For a program supported by a relatively small number of tutors, the online educational approach initiated in 2014 has been effective but requires enhancements:

  • Curriculum Relevance: Each Case-Based Learning (CBL) module should be reviewed to ensure it remains relevant to the practice of medicine in 2025.
  • Content Updates: It is crucial to update the curriculum with the latest scientific and medical knowledge to maintain educational standards and ensure clinical relevance.
  • Enhanced Interactivity: Increasing interaction between tutors and students, as well as fostering more dynamic engagement among students, will improve the learning experience.

Critical Thinking and Fact-Checking: There is a need to enhance students’ abilities to discern accurate from inaccurate information, particularly in an era where social media and AI play significant roles in information dissemination. This includes fostering a critical approach to evaluating such sources