Conducted by Abbas Johari
Fall 2006
Dr. Nick Eastmond of Utah State University, wins the 2006
AECT "ETR&D Award"
for Outstanding Contribution to AECT's Journal, Educational
Technology Research & Design
How did you come to do a sabbatical leave
in Mauritius?
It was a student who started the ball rolling. In
2001 Mindy Collin (then Mindy Nichol) went to Mauritius and had
a successful internship experience, working at the Virtual Center
for Innovative Learning Technology (VCILT) at the University of
Mauritius. I made contact with Dr. Alain Senteni when I knew that
a sabbatical leave was possible for me.
You mention that the response from Dr. Senteni
was most encouraging. Did you have second thoughts about being
so far away and working in such an unusual situation?
Not really. I speak French, and I had been aware
of the French-speaking community there. I was not well informed
about what a major resort spot Mauritius is for the Europeans.
Something like 32% of all foreign visitors to the island come
from France.
What were your responsibilities there at
the VCILT?
I had proposed to do needs assessment work for them,
looking at the local needs for distance education. In the end,
I did a series of seminars for the staff members at the VCILT.
Did you know beforehand what you would
be doing?
I had a pretty good idea, but I was completely wrong.
I was able to attend the World Conference on Computers in Education
in Cape Town, South Africa, prior to my arrival in Mauritius.
The VCILT was one of the sponsors of that conference. That served
as an excellent introduction for me, letting me hear presentations
about projects at VCILT. It also opened my eyes to the possibility
of papers that might be submitted to the International Review.
What were some events that led to your writing
the ETR&D article, “Faculty Member Reflections: Professional
Involvement in Mauritius”?
The main ones are described above. I learned of
these projects, and while in Mauritius I encouraged staff members
at the VCILT to write their papers and to submit them to the International
Review. Alain Senteni and I wrote our papers specifically for
the issue dedicated to Mauritius.
What changes would you make in events, if
you were starting over again?
Now I wish that I had spent more time seeing and
experiencing some of the projects described in the articles. I
knew of the unique masters degree program being offered there,
described in the article by Mohammed Santally and Jerome but I
did not spend time visiting classes or interviewing students,
other than the ones I worked with at VCILT. Partly, that was due
to my involvement as a guest lecturer in other faculty classes,
specifically the foreign language teaching classes taught by Dr.
Vina Balgobin. I guess I just had my hands full. I did spend some
time using the CD-Rom version of the history of Mauritius authored
by Dorothy Cooshna-Naik. It was helpful in getting me oriented
to that country’s unique history. I was able to spend an
afternoon at the Blue Penny Museum in Port Louis, where many of
the objects displayed in the CD-Rom are housed.
On a more personal note, what was most attractive
about your being in Mauritius?
Mauritius offers a unique blend of the Indian subcontinent,
through the Hindu and Moslem elements of the population and Africa,
through the Creole people. My wife and I made some lifelong friends
with people in each of those communities. I loved speaking French
and meeting people in such a unique cultural setting. And the
beaches were wonderful for swimming and snorkeling. It is an amazing
place!
Dr. Senteni has advertised for sabbatical
opportunities for other researchers to come to Mauritius and work
with the VCILT. Would you encourage someone else to follow in
your footsteps?
Yes. Absolutely. There are some wonderful opportunities.
A person would not have to speak French, because most university
business occurs in English. But knowing French would be a help
as well. The hospitality of the island is wonderful!
