Specific actions are being tested by the University of Science, Technology and Medicine
to further ensure equality among students. Race, gender or language cannot be considered
an impediment for access to higher education. Academic services and financial aid
In general, higher education is free apart from the payment of a nominal fee. The State
automatically awards a special scholarship to high school graduates coming from outside
of the capital city. National scholarships are awarded each year to all third-year students
and social assistance (equivalent to the scholarship amount) is provided to disadvantaged
students who did not meet the criteria for award.
Furthermore, a public institution was established in charge of university campus catering,
accommodation and transport – the National Centre for Student Affairs (CNOU).
Chapter 5: The rights of peoples
Paragraph 1: Equality of peoples (art. 19)
Equality of peoples is entrenched in the Constitution with references to the UN Charter, the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’
Rights.
The Constitution stipulates: “Conscious of the need to strengthen ties with brotherly
peoples, the Mauritanian people, a Muslim, Arab and African people, proclaims it will
strive to ensure the realization of unity within the Greater Maghreb, the Arab Nation and
Africa and the consolidation of peace in the world”.
Paragraph 2: The right of peoples to self-determination (art. 20)
Mauritania’s attachment to the ideals proclaimed in charters adopted by the UN, African
Union and the League of Arab States underpins its diplomatic actions focusing on:
the principle of respect for States and their sovereignty;
friendship and cooperation among nations and peoples;
good neighbourly relations;
support for just causes.
Paragraph 3: The right to freely dispose of wealth and natural resources (articles 21
and 22)
As a developing country, the Islamic Republic of Mauritania has a vested interest in the
construction of a more just and equitable international economic order. It clearly affirms its
attachment to the right of States to freely dispose of their wealth and natural resources.
The Government is pursuing a national policy of control over the resources of the country
within a liberal economy.
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