The Higher Institute of English opened last month in the capital city of Nouakchott, and will be focused on teaching English, but will also offer part time courses in for vocational education and training in the armed forces, government ministries and other businesses.

The institute was launched by TVET UK, a member association for providers of technical and vocational education, and will be operated by Alligan, a supplier of specialist services for schools and colleges.

“Hopefully, the launch of this institute is the beginning of a long, mutually beneficial relationship between Mauritania and the UK”

Matthew Anderson, managing director of TVET UK, said there is a real appetite for UK TVET provision in Mauritania, as well as across francophone Africa.

“Hopefully, the launch of this institute is the beginning of a long, mutually beneficial relationship between Mauritania and the UK,” he said.

The teachers at the institution will be CELTA trained, and the institute hopes to enrol up to 120 a year for its English degree programme.

The institution will also work offsite to deliver English language training in the workplace.

Anderson added TVET UK is working with ministers, employers and project financiers to develop the “educational foundations that the country needs to raise standards, improve skills and compete successfully in international markets”.

“We will also be able to offer members real and significant opportunities to get involved in a range of projects now and in the future.”

Initially, Anderson said there were challenges with finding people willing to work on the project “because it was Mauritania, not China, Saudi or India”.

“That’s changed now,” he told The PIE News. “And we have big projects under development for more colleges there.”