University of Mauritius Admitted as 21st Full Member of ARUA
The University of Mauritius has been admitted as the 21st full member of the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA). The decision follows a review of the university’s progress on key performance benchmarks set by the ARUA Board, which expressed satisfaction with the strides made in strengthening research, innovation, and institutional capacity.
The announcement was made during the ARUA Board meeting held on October 28, 2025, and hosted by Makerere University on the eve of the 5th Biennial International Conference of ARUA. In making the announcement, Professor Sizwe Mabizela, Chair of the ARUA Board and Vice-Chancellor of Rhodes University, expressed delight at the University of Mauritius’s achievement.
Reacting to the news, Professor (Dr) Mohammad Issack Santally, Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Mauritius, described the development as a milestone for the institution.
The University of Mauritius first joined ARUA in 2021 as the Alliance’s first Associate Member. The associate membership category was established to enable promising institutions that do not yet meet all the full membership criteria to join the network. Associate members are given three years to implement reforms and adopt best practices from existing ARUA universities to meet eligibility standards for full membership.
The University’s transition from associate to full membership marks a significant step in ARUA’s mission to expand and strengthen Africa’s network of research-intensive universities, driving sustainable development on the continent.
