ISSUE No. 16 July-August

2014

E-NEWSLETTER

MINISTRY OF TERTIARY EDUCATION,

SCIENCE, RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

1 Editorial i

2 International Student of the Month 1

3 Rodrigues Science Challenge & National

Science Week 2

4 Workshop on Emerging Trends in

Education 2

5 Programme de «Stimulation de

l’entrepreneuriat universitaire» 3

6 Signing of MoU between MQA and SQA 4

7 Launching of the IITRA at Bel Air university

campus 5

8 Launching of National Science Week in

Lallmatie 6

9 Science Fun Day at Camp Caval 6

10 Visit of a delegation from the Department

of Science, SA 7

11 Opening Ceremony of Schrodinger Day,

UoM 7

13 Science Fun Day and Science Quest 8

14 Visit of delegation from Africa Film Drama

and Arts, SA 9

15 6th Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Lecture 9

16 Model African Union Summit 10

17 High-Level Ministerial & Experts Workshop 12

18 Laying of Foundation Stone of Réduit

campus 12

EDITORIAL TEAM

Mr. Nitin Rughoonauth

Ms. Shaina Woodun

EDITORIAL

The main set of events for the month of July revolved

around the visit of a delegation from the Indian Institute of

Technology (IIT), Delhi, to finalise and launch the setting up

of the International Institute of Technology Research

Academy (IITRA), a research-based institution where key

concepts of IIT ethos of education will be transmitted.

Another notable item was the signing of a Memorandum

of Understanding between the Seychelles and Mauritian

Qualification Authorities.

August saw the successful first edition of the Model African

Union (AU) Summit held at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute

on 19-20 August 2014, and organised for the first time in

Mauritius by the Ministry of Tertiary Education, Science,

Research and Technology in collaboration with the African

Union Southern Africa Regional Office (AU-SARO), a

regional branch of the AU. Another main event of that

month was the laying of the foundation stone of the Réduit

university campus, which is to become a nucleus for high-

end technology and innovation.

The Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre continues its science

outreach programmes.

Who is the ‘International Student of the month’? Find out

more in this edition!

Editorial Team

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INTERNATIONAL STUDENT OF THE MONTH

Name: Milka Naliaka Wafula

Country of origin: Kenya

Studies Enrolled: BSc (Hons) IT and Business

Milka Naliaka Wafula

A. Why did you choose to study abroad

when you had the choice of studying in your

own country and enjoy the comfort of living

with your parents and seeing your friends?

It was an opportunity to experience the

outside world, live in a foreign environment

and discover a new culture and way of life.

B. Why Mauritius in particular? The course

offered is from a good British university,

relatively cheaper and recognised

worldwide. The political stability and nice

tropical climate were also factors which

made me choose Mauritius.

C. Till now, have you been satisfied by your

choice of studying here? Definitely! I have

had no issues since coming here.

D. What are your impressions about

Mauritius - country, environment, people

and culture? Mauritius is a simple country

with friendly people and they are easy to

interact with. It looks like a garden with all

the mountains and trees! The food is great

too, especially the Briani (local food).

F. How do you find Mauritians to be? In

general, Mauritians are quite cool and

welcoming but I feel they live life at a slow

pace.

G. What is your idea of perfect happiness?

When you are able to accept any situation

and take everything in a positive way.

I. How is student life? Public transport is slow

and nightlife quite limited. However on-

campus activities are really interesting, as is

interaction with other students, especially

international students.

J. Last question: your motto? You are the

captain of the ship and if it sinks, it is your

fault.

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JULY 2014

July 1 : Prize-Giving Ceremony of the

Rodrigues Science Challenge 2014 &

Closing Ceremony of the National

Science Week 2014

The Minister of Tertiary Education, Science,

Research and Technology, Dr. the Hon.

Rajeshwar Jeetah, visited Rodrigues and

attended the prize-giving ceremony of the 2014

edition of the Rodrigues Science Challenge.

The aim of the Rodrigues Science Challenge was to

provide students with an opportunity to

investigate issues related to science and

technology using the scientific method and to

enhance their written and verbal

communication.

The idea of the National Science Week is to bring

science and technology to the doorsteps of every

citizens of the republic, since both are essential

to our everyday life and for our welfare. An

important aspect is to show the practical

importance of science and technology in various

sectors of the Mauritian economy. A series of

interactive and eye catching science

demonstrations was scheduled to explain science

concepts and their applications in our daily life, in

a fun manner. During the show, audience

involvement, observation and critical thinking

were encouraged.

The events benefitted from the support of the

Chief Commissioner of Rodrigues, and the

Commission of Education.

July 9 : Workshop on Emerging Trends

in Education: Technology, Research

and Curriculum & Launching of

Multimedia CD’s in Asian Languages

This was a multi-disciplinary workshop organised

by the Language Resource Centre of the Mahatma

Gandhi Institute (MGI), with the aim of providing

insight into the use of multimedia in language

teaching for academic staff of the MGI, the

Mauritius Institute of Education (MIE), the

University of Mauritius (UoM) and the Mauritius

Examinations Syndicate (MES), amongst others.

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The event saw the launching of Form V Textbooks

and electronic books in Asian Languages and

Multimedia CD’s in Asian Languages.

July 10 : Programme de « Stimulation de

l’entrepreneuriat universitaire »

Invitees to the event included M. Laurent

Garnier, French Embassador to Mauritius, M. François

de Grivel, President of Board of Directors of the `Institut de

la francophonie pour l'entrepreneuriat` (IFE), and M.

Richard Via, Foreign Affairs Advisor of Madagascar in

Mauritius.

The attendees witnessed the launching of the «

Stimulation de l’Entrepreneuriat Universitaire » project,

a result of the collaboration of 8 public higher

education institutions in Mauritius - the

University of Mauritius (UoM), the Université des

Mascareignes (UdM), the University of

Technology, Mauritius (UTM), the Open

University of Mauritius (OU), the Fashion &

Design Institute (FDI), the Mauritius Institute of

Education (MIE), the Mahatma Gandhi Institute

(MGI), and the Mauritius Research Council (MRC).

The aim is to create a synergy among the

institutions to draw on the experience and

expertise of each to work on several fronts to

develop a strategy and an action plan for

teaching and research in entrepreneurship, and

to provide an introduction to entrepreneurship

to all students in their first year of undergraduate

studies.

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July 14 : Visit of Assoc. Prof. Christian Koenig (ESSEC Business School)

The Minister of Tertiary Education, Science,

Research and Technology, Dr. the Hon.

Rajeshwar Jeetah, received Dr. Christian Koenig,

Associate Professor in the Department of Management, and

Dean of the Bachelor in Business Administration (BBA)

programme of the École Supérieure des Sciences

Économiques et Commerciales (ESSEC Business

School). He was accompanied by Dr. Pierre Tapie,

ex-Director General of the ESSEC group, and others, to

discuss further ongoing projects at the Médine

Education Village.

July 15-17 : Visit of a delegation from the Seychelles Qualifications Authority (SQA), and signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the SQA

and the Mauritius Qualifications Authority (MQA)

The Minister of Tertiary Education, Science,

Research and Technology, Dr. the Hon.

Rajeshwar Jeetah, received of a delegation

consisting of Ms Fiona Ernesta, Chief Executive Officer

and Mrs Hilda Julie, Principal Officer, Unit Standards

Development, both from the Seychelles Qualifications

Authority (SQA). They were accompanied by Mr. R.

Phoolchund of the Mauritius Qualifications Authority

(MQA). The aim of the visit was to discuss

avenues of cooperation between the SQA and

the MQA.

The signing of the Memorandum is an outcome

of the 10th Joint session of the Seychelles–

Mauritius Commission on Bilateral Cooperation

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in September 2013, during which it was decided

that there should be collaboration between the

respective Qualifications authorities for sharing

knowledge, experience and expertise with regard

to National Qualifications Framework (NQF)

development and systems in place including

quality assurance, standards setting, recognition

and evaluation of qualifications with the

Mauritius Qualifications Authority.

July 15-17 : Visit of Prof. Shevgaonkar, Director of IIT-Delhi, and Prof. S. M. Ishtiaque from the Department of Textile Technology, IIT-Delhi, and the launching of the International Institute of Technology Research Academy (IITRA) at the Bel Air university campus

The Minister of Tertiary Education, Science,

Research and Technology, Dr. the Hon.

Rajeshwar Jeetah, received the visit of Prof. S.K.

Koul, and Prof. S. M. Ishtiaque, both from the

Department of Textile Technology of the Indian Institute of

Technology, Delhi, accompanied by Dr. A. Suddhoo,

Executive Director of the Mauritius Research Council, to

finalise the setting up of the International

Institute of Technology Research Academy

(IITRA) in Mauritius.

The visit was followed, about 2 weeks later, by

the launching of the IITRA in the presence of Prof

Shevgaonkar, Director of IIT-Delhi. The IIT-like

institution will provide world-class

undergraduate and graduate education up to the

Ph.D. degree in various technology disciplines.

Such an institute will provide international

quality higher education not only for Mauritian

citizens and students of neighbouring.

6

July 24 : Launching of the “National Science Week” at Manilal Doctor State Secondary School, Lallmatie

The National Science Week was held in Lallmatie.

It is organised by the Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre

(RGSC), with the contribution and support of the

Ministry of Environment and Sustainable

Development, the Ministry of Agro Industry and

Food Security, Mauritius Blood Donors

Association, Mauritius Research Council, Open

University of Mauritius, Traffic Branch, Fire

Services, MFDC, Université des Mascareignes,

etc. An important aspect of the National Science

Week is to show the practical importance of

Science and Technology in various sectors of the

Mauritian economy.

July 28 : Courtesy visit of Prof. Michael

Driscoll, economist and Vice-Chancellor

of Middlesex University

July 31 : Science Fun Day at Camp Caval

The Science Fun Day is an initiative of the Rajiv

Gandhi Science Centre to engage the public as

well as school children who are on holidays in

simple fun activities related to science namely

science shows, mini-science workshop, science

quiz, face painting, science slam contest and on

the spot drawing contest.

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AUGUST 2014

August 4-8 : Visit of a delegation from the Department of Science, Republic of South Africa

The Minister met with Ms Kgomoco Letlhoo,

Assistant Director, Africa Bilateral Cooperation,

Mr Thabang Bambo, Deputy Director,

Biotechnology and Mr Johan Neethling, Deputy

Director, Information and Communication

Technology accompanied by the High

Commissioner of South Africa in Mauritius, Her

Excellency Dr Nomvuyo Nokwe and Ms Sharon

Ramudzuli, First Secretary. They discussed a

bilateral agreement and collaboration in Space

Science and Astronomy particularly the African

Very-Long baseline Array Network- radio

astrophysics telescope (AVN), nanotechnology,

Big Data, ICT, Marine Technology and Resources.

August 11 : Courtesy visit of Mr Martin Turner, ACCA Global President The Honourable Minister Dr Rajeshwar Jeetah met

with Mr. Martin Turner, ACCA Global President,

accompanied by Mrs. M. Ramdin-Clark, Head of ACCA

Mauritius. The aim of the visit was to consolidate

relationships with decision makers and major

stakeholders in Mauritius.

August 12 : Opening Ceremony of the

Schrödinger Day, Virtual Conference

on Computational, University of

Mauritius

The Schrödinger Day, held on the birthday of the

quantum physicist Erwin Schrödinger, was

organised by the Computational Chemistry

Group of Department of Chemistry at the

University of Mauritius, under the umbrella of

the second edition of the Virtual Conference on

Computational Chemistry (VCCC-2014). The

Minister congratulated the local research group

for the laudable initiative of conducting the

conference virtually. The Schrödinger Day was

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broadcast live through the internet. The virtual

conference saw the participation of 120

participants from 35 countries.

August 13 : Science Fun Day at Montagne Blanche Social Welfare Centre

This was an event organised by the Rajiv Gandhi

Science Centre (RGSC) and the Montagne

Blanche Social Welfare Centre. The day’s

programme consisted of a variety of activities

such as science drawing contest, science

workshops and presentations, film shows, etc.,

all of which were brought to the children of

Montagne Blanche of different backgrounds and

inspirations to promote aspects of science and

technology in ways that interest them.

August 14 : Science Quest 2014

Science Quest 2014, organised by the Rajiv

Gandhi Science Centre (RGSC), is a monthly

science project-based competition open to

students of secondary schools across the

Mauritius and aimed at encouraging the latter to

use science and technology to improve the world

around them. Science Quest encourages

students to challenge themselves, urging them to

carry out independent research and investigation

through various resources including internet, and

stimulate their critical thinking. Students also

develop their practical skills in building their

projects as well as their presentation skills in

explaining their research and works to the jury

and the public.

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August 21 : Visit of CEO & Chairperson of Africa Film Drama and Arts (AFDA), South Africa

The Honourable Minister Dr Rajeshwar Jeetah

met with Mr Bata Passchier, CEO and Mr Garth

Holmes, Chairperson, both from the Africa Film

Drama and Arts (AFDA), South Africa together with

Mrs. S. Juwaheer, Director of the Fashion and Design

Institute and Mrs. K. Ramyead, Director of the Mauritius

Film Development Cooperation. A memorandum of

understanding has been signed between FDI and

AFDA towards offering joint programmes by the

two institutions.

August 21 : Sixth Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Lecture by Prof Graham Durant, Director of Questacon

The Honourable Minister Dr Rajeshwar Jeetah

met with Prof. Graham Durant, Director of Questacon,

Australia’s National Science and Technology Centre,

accompanied by Dr. A. Maulloo, Director of the Rajiv

Gandhi Science Centre.

Prof. Durant gave the 6th Rajiv Gandhi Memorial

Lecture and conducted two workshops, the first

one on the theme “A World of crystals’’ (as part

of the International Year of Crystallography)

addressed to students, and a second meant for

educators that presented some of the ways that

formal and informal institutions can work

together to build a community of learners. It is

envisaged that a Memorandum of Understanding

would be established between Questacon and

the RGSC for the professional development of

RGSC staff in the communication of science and

technology.

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August 19-20 : Model African Union Summit

Over 250 students of Mauritian, African and Indian

nationalities from ten public and private tertiary

institutions in Mauritius participated in the first

edition of the Model African Union (AU) Summit held at

the Mahatma Gandhi Institute on 19-20 August

2014.

The event, organised for the first time in

Mauritius by the Ministry of Tertiary Education,

Science, Research and Technology in

collaboration with the African Union Southern Africa

Regional Office (AU-SARO), a regional branch of the AU,

provided a unique opportunity for tertiary

institutions students to learn of the role,

organisation, functions and intricacies of the AU

through simulation as well as to prepare them, as

tomorrow’s leaders, policy makers and

diplomats, to discharge such duties effectively.

Critical issues relevant to Africa were discussed

during the two days. They include Peace and

Security, Agriculture, Environment and Climate

Change, Education, Regional Economic

Integration, Science and Technology, among

others.

In simulating the

real AU Summit,

students were

called upon to play

the roles of

delegates

representing the

54 AU member states, chairpersons/co-chairs of

the committee and assembly sessions,

rapporteurs, security officers, floor officers, as

well as press officers. They were thus able to

learn of the system of deliberation in the AU, the

implementation of resolutions as well as the

linkages of the AU with other international

bilateral and multilateral agencies.

The work of the Model African Union took place

in four Specialised Technical Committees namely

Agricultural, Rural Development, Water and

Environment; Finance, Monetary Affairs,

Economic Planning and Integration; Transport,

Transcontinental and Interregional

Infrastructures, Energy and Tourism; and

Education, Science and Technology.

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During the closing ceremony, the Minister of

Tertiary Education, Science, Research and

Technology, Hon. Dr. Rajeshwar Jeetah, stated

that the two-day event was a resounding success

with the positive level of debate and the depth of

discussions. Speaking on African Union statistics

which reveal that 65% of the total population of

Africa are below the age of 35 years, Dr Jeetah

highlighted the importance of enabling young

people to focus on the development of Africa, its

major concerns and priorities as well as its

integration policies. The Minister added that he

called on AU-SARO to enable best delegates from

Model AU Summit to participate in forthcoming

summits in other countries with a view of

developing a network of young people on the

continent.

For his part, the

Ambassador, AU, and

Regional Delegate to

Southern Africa, Dr

Salif Sada Sall,

said that he was

impressed by the

passion, skills and

abilities of the

participants as well as the effectiveness of the

local organisation committee. “In Mauritius, the

holding of the Model AU Summit has been

unique because it has involved the participation

of both public and private tertiary institutions

and because of the diversity and skills of the

participants”. Dr Sall urged the young Mauritian

participants to apply for positions advertised at

the African Union Commission.

AU-SARO, a regional branch of the AU, was

founded in 2001 to foster collaborations among

AU member states and organisations within the

14 countries it represents. One of its main

mandates is to create awareness of the AU. In

that endeavour, it has started the African Union

Model Summit as part of a programme of

advocacy with universities, and to build capacity

for the youth. The First model Summit was held

in Malawi in 2011. It has since been organised as

an annual activity on a rotational basis in each

Southern Africa Member States.

August 19-20 : Meeting His Excellency Jonathan Drew, the new British High Commissioner

The new British High Commissioner in Mauritius, His

Excellency Jonathan Drew paid a courtesy call

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upon the Honourable Minister Dr Rajeshwar

Jeetah, where they talked, amongst other items

of mutual interest, about the partnership

between the United Kingdom and Mauritius in

the higher education sector.

August 21-22 : High-Level Ministerial and Experts Workshop for scientists and policy makers in STI policy systems and governance for sustainable development and climate change resilience of Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) STI-for-SIDS Sustainability, 2014

The workshop was hosted in Mauritius by the

UNESCO, and facilitated by the Government of

Mauritius through the Ministry of Tertiary

Education, Science, Research & Technology and

the Mauritius Research Council. Attendees

included amongst others the Hon. Madam Marie-

Monique Rasoazananera, Minister of Higher Education

and Scientific Research from the Republic of Madagascar

and the delegates from the Republic of Madagascar,

the Republic of Seychelles and the Union of Comoros. The

UNESCO workshop was organised with the aim of

identifying research needs related to the

challenges facing the Small Islands Developing

States, as well as measures to address them. The

recommendations of the workshop would be

forwarded, by the UNESCO, to the Third

International Conference on SIDS which will be

held from 1-4 September 2014 in Apia, Samoa.

August 28 : Laying of Foundation Stone of

Réduit Campus

After Pamplemousses and Montagne Blanche,

the Reduit campus is the third university campus

being constructed, and is expected to be ready in

February 2015. The setting up of the new campus

buildings should be seen from the perspective of

the Mauritian government’s vision to create a

population with high level of technical and

professional capacity and skills. The new building

in Réduit is being called upon to become a

nucleus for high-end technology and innovation.

It is expected to house a centre for

nanotechnology, a centre for space science and

astronomy, as well as a centre for Big Data.

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