View
231
Download
1
Category
Tags:
Preview:
DESCRIPTION
Ministry of Tertiary Education, Science, Research and Technology
Citation preview
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
1
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.
2
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.
3
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.
4
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
5
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.
7
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
8
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.
9
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.
10
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.
11
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
12
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.
13
14
Recommended