National Science Week at Open University of Mauritius, Curepipe

 

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.

Thank you.

Everyday may not be good, but there's something good in everyday...............RJ

'If you don't like to read, you haven't found the right book.' Joanne K.Rowling

Graduation Ceremony of the AEA Training Centre

 

 

Speech - Graduation Ceremony of the AEA Training Centre at the Octave Wiehe Auditorium, Reduit

Ladies and Gentleman

First and foremost, I wish to present my heartiest congratulations to all graduates.  Today, we are together to recognise and celebrate the successful completion of your studies at AEA Training Centre. 

            I shall also seize this opportunity to remind you graduates that learning doesn’t stop here.  Success is a journey and not a destination.  Receiving certificates, diplomas, or degrees today does not signal an end to learning, but a step in a continuous process.  I often state that what you do and how you do it after graduation will determine your success in life.

As well stated by the famous American educationist, John Dewey,

‘’ Education is a social process.  Education is not a preparation for life, education is life itself.’’

It is with this spirit that my Ministry has undertaken so many initiatives. Our Prime Minister introduced free transport for students, which is a huge contribution to the education sector. Under his leadership, we have set up two new universities – Open University and Universite des Mascareignes and are now constructing three campus buildings which would allow us to decentralise and widen access to higher education. From 16,735 students in higher education in the year 2000 we have reached  49,625 in 2012, which means that more young people have the opportunity to study at tertiary level.

For the first time, an IIT like institution will be set up in Mauritius with the support of IIT Delhi and the Government of India. We have established collaboration with well-known and high standard universities such as University of Geneva, Imperial College, University of Aberdeen, George Washington University, Delaware university and several European institutions such as ESSEC, ESCP, Science Po are operating here.

While we are expanding the higher education sector, it is important for us to keep improving quality. We have faced some problems with some institutions and Government is having a team from the UK Quality Assurance Agency to professionally review our tertiary education sector.  I shall soon come up with the Tertiary Education Bill to provide benchmarks for quality, and to strengthen the regulatory framework.

Earlier this year, regulations were introduced to prohibit misleading advertisements by tertiary education institutions and the Tertiary Education Commission Act has been amended to bring the penalties for any offenceup  toRs 1 million.

Private education institutions should make additional efforts to improve their infrastructure and facilities and teaching and learning facilities. I understand that AEA is working with UNISA and the University of Southern Queensland of Australia. I would like to emphasise on the need for private institutions to ensure compliance with the set rules and regulations and develop their own quality assurance mechanisms.

Dear graduates, while pursuing higher studies, you should also develop an innovative spirit , bring new ideas and projects. It is also important for you to read, to document yourself about other issues than your textbooks. A broader knowledge base will help you in your career later and your day to day life. It is also important to develop other skills such as communication, presentation and personal development which are all critical when you apply for jobs and enter the world of work.

            With these words, I wish good luck to all our graduates., My hope is to see you grow into accomplished young citizens adults with a heart and vision for a prosperous Mauritius and the world. 

As quoted by the Legendary Nelson Mandela,

‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.’

I wish you all the best for a bright future.

Thank you and congratulations once again.

In my constituency............