Speech - ‘MRC Postgraduate Conference 2014
‘– Thursday 30 October at 9.00 a.m - Venue :
MRC, Level 6, Ebene Heights
I
am told that the MRC is currently providing financial support to 41 registered
MPhil/PhD students who are undertaking their studies at the University of
Mauritius, University of Technology, Mauritius and the Open University of
Mauritius in strategic areas such as:
- Ocean Technology & Marine Resources/Ocean Economy
- Water Resources/Water Security
- Environment
- Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy
- Biopharmaceutical & Biomedical Engineering
- Waste Management & Waste Recycling
- Social/Economic Sciences
- Agriculture /Food Security
- Information & Communication Technology
- Financial Services
- Science and Technology Education
- Land, Transport and Logistics / Land Use
I
am also pleased to note that this year 20 beneficiaries of the grants will be
presenting their MPhil/PhD projects and prizes will be awarded to 3 best
presenters in the field of Natural Sciences and Engineering and to 1 best
presenter in Social Sciences.
The
postgraduate grant which is wholly funded by Government is one of the measures
taken to promote research and innovation. In addition, to this project, we have
initiated a number of other measures such as:
- the Best Mauritian Scientist Award” to recognise and reward the work of Mauritian scientists,
- participation of Mauritian scientists in the Lindau Nobel Laureates Meeting,
- the appointment of National Research Chairs; and
- the creation of a research fund to finance research projects together with the private sector.
Most
importantly, we are setting up an IIT Research Academy which is working with
the IIT Delhi, will become a full-fledged IIT, with a strong focus on research
in science and engineering. This Institution is expected to become one of the
most prestigious research institutions of this region.
Research
and innovation are critical for the development of knowledge and contribute
substantially to economic growth and social development. I need not stress the importance of research
in improving lives and promoting sustainable development. Right now,
researchers in various parts of the world are focusing on a vaccine for Ebola.
It
is important to have a pool of researchers in different fields and a
multidisciplinary approach to research. This year, we amended the Mauritius
research Council Act to provide for the setting up of a National Research and
Innovation Advisory Committee with the participation of Nobel laureates.
Government
is investing a lot in terms of funds and support, while putting up new
facilities. Our objective as a
Government is to sustain a holistic approach which will allow a better quality
of life and maximum opportunities for all Mauritian citizens and this can only
be achieved through education and knowledge creation and knowledge transfer.
I
urge you to make the most of every opportunity to benefit from such
conferences. I am certain that listening
to these presentations will somehow trigger the interest of our young graduates
in research and in further studies.
And
now I have the pleasure to declare the MRC Postgraduate Conference 2014 open.
Dr R. Jeetah Ministry of
Tertiary Education, Science, Research & Technology
