Speech - National Science Week at Open University of
Mauritius, Curepipe today
Thursday
08 May 2014 at 10.30 hrs
WELCOME
On behalf of my Ministry, the Ministry of Tertiary Education, Science,
Research and Technology, and the Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre welcome you all to
the second edition of the National Science Week 2014.
There is a reason for us to be meeting here and organizing an event of
this dimension.
THE CONCEPT OF THE
NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK
In 2012, Cabinet had approved a new event to promote science across
Mauritius and Rodrigues, the National Science Week. The idea of the National
Science Week is to bring science and Technology to the doorsteps of every
Mauritian. This is because science and technology is essential in our everyday
life and for our welfare. We are surrounded by new gadgets in our homes: our
TV, Fridge, washing machine, electrical network, water system, sewerage system.
The food we grow, buy and eat, our Health system, our transportation system,
etc.
Ladies and Gentlemen
The long list of items mentioned forms part of our everyday life and has
one common factor: Science and Technology. Have you ever sat and thought of the
idea behind the functioning of your TV? Television has evolved from big heavy
furniture to slim frames with evolving technologies: transistor, diodes, plasma,
LCD, LED, etc.
Most of us don’t even know the meanings of these acronyms. Yet we buy and
use them. For a few minutes just think about the team of people, researchers
and scientists who are presently thinking, and working on our future
television….
That’s the whole concept of the National Science Week. All Ministries and
Departments use a certain level of science and technology in all their
activities. In the Science Week, we bring together a number of stakeholders
under one roof to expose and explain to you, to let you discover the hidden
technology in the gadgets they use. Some stakeholders are willing to let you
test these gadgets and answer all your questions.
So far the RGSC has successfully launched ten National Science Weeks in
various parts of the island including Rodrigues. After Curepipe we are moving to Vacoas.
SCIENCE WEEK AT CUREPIPE
Today and tomorrow we are here with you at the Open University of
Mauritius. I am very thankful to the Open University of Mauritius for their
full support in organizing this event for the people of Curepipe and
surrounding areas.
I wish to thank all those who have participated in the sensitization walk
from Carnegie Library to here with a view to encourage everyone, especially our
young generation to study science. Through such events you will also discover
the career opportunities when we study science.
In this edition of the national Science Week, there are several
stakeholders from all spheres of our economy keen to showcase to you the
technology they use.
Mauritius Research Council, AREU, Fire Services, Mauritius Police Force,
Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Health, etc.
Besides the major exhibition, a number of interactive sessions by the
stakeholders and other parallel activities are scheduled.
THE ROLE OF MTESRT
As Minister of Tertiary Education, Science, Research and Technology, it
is my wish that every student go to University after completing their secondary
school. My ministry is providing all incentives for our youth to pursue higher
studies. This is essential as the youth are the future of Mauritius and they
will have to ensure that Mauritius strives to be a centre of Excellence on all
aspects, not only in the Indian Ocean but in the world.
Each one of you should change your mindset and become more curious about
everything that’s going on around you.
Science and technology are our future and if Mauritius wants to evolve it
should have more scientists, encourage more research in all areas, such as
exploiting our marine resources, thinking of ways to become independent of oil
for our energy, and so on and so forth.
My Ministry has set up a desk, namely Study Mauritius, with the aim to
guide students in the choice of career, university and the way forward.
This Government is also supporting the creation of several university
campuses in various parts of Mauritius: Piton, Pamplemousses, Montagne Blanche.
All these incentives are for our young generation to continue into higher
education and take the lead of our future Mauritius.
MULTIDISCIPLINARY
APPROACH
The way Mauritius is evolving, all the Ministry and Departments of the
island should coordinate their actions and work hand in hand to ensure
optimization of resources and fast progress in all sectors of the economy. We
should pool our brains and researchers together and find solutions to the
existing problems and pave our way for the future generations.
The Future of Mauritius lies in the hands of our youth. We shall need
engineers, doctors, chemists, teachers, technicians to maintain and develop our
infrastructure while maintaining our sustainability.
END NOTE
I wish to thank everyone that has collaborated to make this event
a success: all the stakeholders, the Open University of Mauritius and last but
not the least the Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre. This is the department under my
Ministry that has a variety of activities to ignite your scientific spirit.
Last but not least I wish to thank our team from RGSC for organizing an event
of such dimension.
To end I will encourage everyone to pass on the message to their
families, friends to come and visit this exhibition and participate actively in
the interactive sessions.
