The University of Mauritius (UoM) is involved in SDG policy development with national government and regional bodies.

Lead project: evidence for national and regional marine-pollution policy

In June 2025, UoM began the research project "Integrated Socioeconomic and Environmental Approaches to Strengthen the Blue Economy in the South-West Indian Ocean" by the French Agency for Development (AFD). The project forms part of the wider ExPLOI research initiative, which the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) coordinates with research institutions and partners across the South-West Indian Ocean. It studies marine plastic pollution and how it affects fisheries, tourism, marine ecosystems and coastal communities. It is designed to support evidence-based environmental policy and decision-making at national and regional levels, at each stage of the policy cycle:

ExPLOI is a regional programme funded by AFD  and the French Global Environment Facility across Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles and Réunion, with UoM as a named partner institution. It includes support for national anti-plastic policies. Its early findings were presented in Mauritius on 19 November 2025, as Mauritius prepared its Plastic Pollution Free Roadmap.

• Identifying problems and challenges: assessing the environmental, economic and social impacts of marine plastic pollution on coastal economies and communities.

• Developing policies and strategies: generating scientific evidence for policies that reduce marine plastic pollution and promote sustainable waste management and a circular blue economy.

• Modelling likely futures with and without interventions: building economic models that compare the costs and benefits of alternative waste-management and pollution-reduction strategies against a no-intervention baseline.

• Monitoring and reporting on interventions: evaluating the environmental and socioeconomic impacts and cost-effectiveness of proposed pollution-reduction measures. This is supported by the regional plastics-pollution observatory that UoM is setting up with IRD under ExPLOI.

• Enabling adaptive management: giving the IOC and national authorities regularly updated monitoring data and evidence, so that they can review and adjust pollution-reduction measures.

Expert input to government, international and regional bodies

• Advisory work for government: UoM carried out 50 consultancies for domestic public-sector clients, providing expert evidence to public authorities.

• Health policy: the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences works with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Mauritius.

• Regional higher-education and science policy: the Vice-Chancellor served as Co-Chair of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Indian Ocean University Network. The Vice-Chancellor also met the UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa about implementing the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) project in Mauritius.

• Regional and national NGOs: Prof C. Appadoo is a Board Member of two conservation NGOs, the Mauritius Marine Conservation Society and Friends of the Environment.

In 2025, UoM organised and took part in cross-sectoral dialogue on the SDGs. These events brought together academia, government, industry, civil society and international organisations.

Events hosted or co-organised by UoM

• National Research Week 2025, Day 1 (14 April 2025): UoM hosted the Opening Ceremony and led Day 1, "Innovating Sustainability: Synergies for a Resilient Future", with sessions on the Blue, Green, Circular, Silver and Cultural economies. The event "brought together key stakeholders from academia, the Government, the private sector, and civil society"(SDGs 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 17).

• The Climate Show (3–5 March 2025): hosted by UoM and organised by the Delegation of the European Union to raise climate awareness among students (SDG 13).

• International Conference on International Trade and Investment (25–26 September 2025): brought together academics, policymakers and industry to discuss trade, environmental sustainability and poverty(SDGs 1, 8, 10, 12, 13).

• International Research Symposium in Service Management (15–18 July 2025): dialogue between academia and industry on sustainable services, innovation and responsible production (SDGs 8, 9, 12).

• Emerging Countries International Conference on Business, Finance and Economics (3–4 December 2025): co-organised with Stellenbosch University and the University of Ghana, on green growth, ESG, inequality and inclusive economic development (SDGs 8, 10, 13, 17).

• Seminar "The Youth Perspective on Water Resource Management" (2 October 2025): organised by the Civil Engineering Society of UoM as a forum where students and external stakeholders discussed water-resource challenges in Mauritius (SDGs 6, 13).

• Doctoral Colloquium 2025, 4th edition (8–10 October 2025): brought together doctoral researchers, academics, the Minister of Tertiary Education, Science and Research (keynote) and the President of the Republic (closing ceremony), with presenters from South Africa, Namibia, Kenya, Cameroon, Nigeria, Madagascar and Switzerland-linked partners. Tracks covered renewable-energy transitions and carbon tax policy, sustainable materials and environmental resilience, ecology and marine sciences, tourism and sustainable development, and resilient health systems (SDGs 3, 7, 9, 13, 14, 17).

UoM contributions to international multi-stakeholder forums

• ETIS 2025, India (7–9 February 2025): UoM academics presented research on IoT-based robotic irrigation, robotics and AI in wireless communications to academia, industry and government representatives. Discussions covered water-use efficiency, lower farming costs and sustainable agriculture, and explored research–industry collaboration through workshops and panels (SDGs 2, 6, 9).

• SIBR–Thammasat Conference on Interdisciplinary Business and Economics Research, Thailand (4–6 April 2025): UoM joined academics and business and economics professionals to discuss climate innovation, sustainable finance, corporate social responsibility, public–private partnerships in renewable energy and sustainable tourism (SDGs 7, 8, 13, 17).

• Future of Information and Communication Conference (FICC 2025), Germany (28–29 April 2025): UoM presented on building a green-computing culture in small and medium enterprises, in exchanges with academics, technology professionals, industry and government agencies (SDGs 9, 12, 13).

Through these forums, UoM shared its research with academia, industry, business and government. These exchanges linked research to practice in sustainable agriculture, technological innovation, environmental sustainability and economic development, and identified future research partnerships for the SDGs.

UoM collaborates internationally to gather, standardise and share data for the SDGs, mainly on marine plastic pollution in the South-West Indian Ocean (SDGs 14, 12, 17).

In September 2025, the University of Mauritius initiated the research project “Setting up of Observatory for Plastics Pollution Monitoring in the South-West Indian Ocean Region under the ExPLOI Project”, in collaboration with the Institute of Research for Sustainable Development (IRD), France, and within the wider ExPLOI initiative coordinated by the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC).

The project aims to establish a regional observatory to strengthen international collaboration in the collection, monitoring, analysis and sharing of scientific data on marine plastic pollution across Mauritius and other South-West Indian Ocean island states.

The research focuses on:

• Regional data collection: Collecting and analysing standardised data on plastic pollution along beaches, lagoons, marine ecosystems and coastal areas, using harmonised monitoring protocols.

• International research collaboration: Promoting cooperation among researchers and institutions in Mauritius, France and other Indian Ocean island states to address gaps in regional scientific data.

• Data sharing and reporting: Establishing a data repository to facilitate the sharing of research findings and environmental monitoring data among regional partners.

• Capacity building: Strengthening regional research capacity through joint research activities, training, scientific exchanges and postgraduate research.

• Evidence-based decision-making: Generating reliable scientific data to support environmental monitoring, marine pollution management and the development of appropriate policies and mitigation strategies.

Through this initiative, UoM contributes to the establishment of a collaborative regional framework for environmental data gathering, monitoring and knowledge sharing to support the achievement of the SDGs.

Through international research and education partnerships, UoM reviews how different countries tackle the SDGs and helps develop shared best practice, with a focus on small-island and African contexts.

International research collaborations

• RECOVER – Resilience to Climate Vulnerability and Environmental Risk: Focus on Small Islands (from July 2025): University of Mauritius initiated the research project funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada, with a research collaborator from the University of Waterloo, Canada. The project examines and compares how small islands address climate vulnerability and environmental risk. It aims to identify effective resilience strategies and generate knowledge to guide sustainable development practice in small-island contexts (SDGs 11, 13, 14).

• ExPLOI – Indian Ocean Plastic Expedition (with IRD and the Indian Ocean Commission): UoM is a scientific partner, alongside the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD), in this regional programme run by the Indian Ocean Commission. It is funded by AFD and the French Global Environment . Across Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles and Réunion, it compares the sources, nature and impact of plastic pollution so that island states can share solutions. Its 2025 oceanographic expedition (April–July 2025) involved 20 doctoral students and young researchers, and its data support a regional plastic-pollution observatory. Results are published open access and are intended to inform public policy in member states (SDGs 12, 14, 17).

The University of Mauritius (UoM) actively promotes community engagement and environmental sustainability through initiatives that translate its institutional commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into tangible community benefits.

Southern Handicapped Association SEN School, Riambel

In September 2025, the University  staff undertook a food donation initiative at the Southern Handicapped Association SEN School in Riambel, demonstrating its commitment to social responsibility, food security and the inclusion of vulnerable communities (SDGs 2 and 10). Furthermore, on 23 September 2025, the University organised a native-tree planting initiative as part of its Green Campus campaign, bringing together students, academic staff and non-academic staff in a collective effort to promote environmental stewardship, climate action, biodiversity conservation and sustainable campus practices (SDGs 11, 12, 13 and 15).

Agricultural research and extension

The Faculty of Agriculture has a Memorandum of Understanding with the NGO FALCON Association (Farmers in Agriculture, Livestock, cooperative Organic Network), an organic farming network (SDGs 2, 12).

NGO leadership: Prof C. Appadoo is a Board Member of the Mauritius Marine Conservation Society and Friends of the Environment, linking UoM research to NGO conservation work (SDGs 14, 15).

Collectively, these initiatives demonstrate UoM's contribution to inclusive community development, environmental protection, knowledge sharing and the application of academic expertise to address societal challenges.

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The University of Mauritius (UoM) is committed to ensuring that students are exposed to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through its academic programmes, curriculum-related activities and wider university initiatives.

Education integrated across the curriculum

The University integrates sustainability-related knowledge, principles and practices into its academic programmes across several faculties and disciplines, ensuring that students acquire an understanding of the environmental, social and economic dimensions of sustainable development. In 2025, at the Faculty of Agriculture, modules such as Ecology and Environmental Science, Agrometeorology and Climate Change, Climate Change and Agriculture and Food Security, and Sustainable Development Practices addressed issues relating to food security, climate resilience, responsible resource management and sustainable agricultural production. The Faculty of Engineering further contributed through modules such as Sustainable Energy Management, Sustainable Manufacturing and Planning for Sustainable Development, which address renewable energy, resource efficiency and sustainable infrastructure. At the Faculty of Law and Management, Environmental Law, Corporate Social Responsibility and Corporate Sustainability, and Sustainable Development Practices exposed students to environmental legislation, responsible business conduct, corporate accountability and sustainable economic development. Within the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, modules such as Climate Change and Urban Development and Sustainable Development Practices address climate resilience, social responsibility, environmental governance and inclusive development. At the Faculty of Science, Environmental Management and Sustainable Development provided students with knowledge of ecosystem conservation, environmental monitoring and sustainable resource use. Sustainability-related learning was also relevant to programmes in Medicine and Health Sciences, through the study of public health, occupational health and safety, health equity and the social determinants of health, while the Faculty of Information, Communication and Digital Technologies contributed through the application of digital technologies to societal challenges, access to information and inclusive development. Collectively, these curricular offerings demonstrated the University's multidisciplinary approach to SDG education, encompassing SDGs 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16.

A. Faculty of Engineering

Example 1 – Sustainable engineering and climate resilience

At the National Research Week 2025, held on 14 April 2025 at UoM, engineering academics presented research addressing sustainable development, including:

- Development of eco-friendly polishing discs reinforced with coconut fibres, promoting renewable   and biodegradable materials in manufacturing.

- Investigation of groundwater resources and water security in Mauritius.

- Research on sustainable energy, renewable energy integration and climate change mitigation.

These examples demonstrate the integration of environmental sustainability, resource efficiency and technological innovation into engineering research and knowledge dissemination.

Example 2 – Programme-level integration

The National Research Week 2025 proceedings also report findings from UoM's programme vetting exercise involving over 300 programmes. Approximately 30% of programmes covered all 17 SDGs, while all programmes offered by the Faculty of Engineering were reported as aligned with the SDGs.

B. Faculty of Law and Management

Example – Sustainable economic development and social responsibility

During National Research Week 2025, the Faculty of Law and Management contributed research on the socioeconomic implications of an ageing population and its impact on economic growth in Mauritius.

The presentation, entitled Assessing the Impact of an Ageing Population on Economic Growth – The Case of Mauritius, examined the implications of demographic changes for economic growth, healthcare services, pensions and long-term care.

This is relevant to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Additional curriculum evidence is available through the following modules:

- Corporate Social Responsibility and Corporate Sustainability (MGT3078Y): covers environmental responsibility, stakeholder engagement, sustainability reporting and social entrepreneurship.

- Sustainable Development Practices (MGT6195): addresses sustainable development principles, environmental management, waste management and energy management.

C. Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities

Example – Social and economic dimensions of sustainable development

At National Research Week 2025, academics from the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities presented research addressing health financing, social welfare and economic development.

One example was Universal Coverage, User's Fee and Health Outcomes in Nigeria: Case Study of HIV/AIDS, presented by a researcher from the Department of Economics and Statistics.

The research examined the relationship between healthcare financing, out-of-pocket expenditure, household welfare and health outcomes. It provides an example of how social sciences and economics contribute to understanding sustainable and equitable healthcare systems.

This relates particularly to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 1 (No Poverty).

D. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences

Example 1 – Healthcare, nutrition and well-being

In June 2025, UoM, through the Centre for Innovative and Lifelong Learning and the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, in collaboration with the Mahatma Gandhi Institute, offered the standalone module AYUR 1002: Ayurveda and Nutrition.

The module addressed healthy eating, nutrition, dietary practices and the relationship between diet and common diseases. It was offered through online learning and practical sessions.

This initiative contributes to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).

Example 2 – Humanising healthcare

At National Research Week 2025, researchers from the Department of Medicine presented Humanizing Healthcare: A Systematic Review on the Impact of Arts and Humanities in Medical Education.

The research highlighted the importance of empathy, communication and well-being in developing competent and compassionate healthcare professionals.

E. Faculty of Information, Communication and Digital Technologies (FoICDT)

Example 1 – Artificial intelligence and the SDGs

At National Research Week 2025, research was presented on The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Advancing Sustainable Development Goals: Insights from University Students in Mauritius.

The research explored the use of digital dashboards to improve sustainability education through student–teacher interaction, collaborative learning and feedback mechanisms.

It demonstrated how digital technologies can support SDG awareness and improve the delivery of sustainability education, particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education).

Example 2 – Technology for environmental sustainability

Another research contribution, AI and Drone Technologies for Coastal Monitoring, involved a researcher affiliated with FoICDT. It explored the use of satellite imagery, GIS and advanced technologies to monitor coastal changes and environmental challenges in Mauritius.

This is relevant to SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water).

Example 3 – Entrepreneurship and sustainable technology

On 29 March 2025, Dr Sheeba Armoogum of FoICDT represented UoM at Localpreneur Connect 2.0, a panel discussion focusing on sustainability, technology and business growth. The discussion included cybersecurity for SMEs and the role of digital transformation in supporting local entrepreneurship.

Mandatory education for all students

The University's commitment is to progressively strengthen the integration of sustainability literacy and awareness of the SDGs into the student learning experience. In addition to programme-specific curricular content, in 2025, the University provided opportunities to raise students' awareness of global sustainability challenges and their responsibility as future professionals and citizens.

Some examples of Compulsory modules taught (depending on the programme of study) in 2025 are as follows:

1.     Sustainable Development Practices (Module code - MGT6195)

2.     Corporate Social Responsibility and Corporate Sustainability (MGT3078Y)

3.     Sustainable Development Practices (SOCI3212)

4.     Environmental Management (BIOL3202)

5.     Food Science, Safety and Sustainability (AGRI2179Y)

Optional education and opportunities available to students

Beyond formal programme curricula, UoM provides students with opportunities to deepen their understanding of sustainability through seminars, conferences, awareness campaigns and other extracurricular learning activities. Notable examples include:

The Climate Show (3–5 March 2025): Organised by the Delegation of the European Union and hosted by the University of Mauritius, this initiative provided an opportunity to raise awareness among UoM students about climate change, its impacts and the importance of climate action, contributing particularly to SDG 13 (Climate Action).

National Research Week 2025 (14 April 2025): The programme included sessions focusing on sustainability and research-driven solutions to global challenges. A notable contribution was the keynote presentation entitled “Innovation and Sustainability Education: Activity-Resource Mapping” by Dr Surya Raghu of Wits University, which highlighted the importance of innovation and education in advancing sustainable development.

Elective and programme-specific learning opportunities: Students may also access sustainability-related modules within the University's academic offerings, including Sustainable Development Practices, Sustainable Development in the Hospitality Industry, Sustainable Energy Management, Sustainable Manufacturing, Sustainable Finance and Sustainable Marketing: Green and Social Marketing. These modules provide opportunities to explore the SDGs from environmental, technological, economic, managerial and social perspectives, depending on the student's programme and available elective choices.

Through this combination of curriculum-based learning, interdisciplinary academic offerings and extracurricular engagement, the University of Mauritius seeks to equip students with the knowledge, awareness and critical thinking skills necessary to understand the SDGs and contribute meaningfully to sustainable development at local, national and global levels.

UoM offers dedicated degree programmes and elective modules that address sustainability and the SDGs in the academic 2024/2025.

Dedicated degree programmes

• MSc Climate Change and Food Security (A530, part-time, blended)

• MSc Sustainable Energy Engineering with Environmental Management, Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering.

• MSc Coastal and Ocean Management and BSc (Hons) Marine Environmental Sciences, Department of Biosciences and Ocean Studies.

• Short course LC029 – Youth and Sustainable Development, Centre for Innovative and Lifelong Learning, with the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities and the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council.

Dedicated elective and core modules

• Environmental Management; Ecology and Environmental Science; Agrometeorology and Climate Change; Climate Change and Agriculture and Food Security; Applied Renewable Energy Technologies; Sustainable Development Practices.

UoM runs educational outreach on the SDGs for the wider community, including alumni, public officers and local residents.

Alumni

Doctoral Colloquium 2025, 4th edition (8–10 October 2025): "Celebrating Six Decades of Knowledge: Doctoral Research at the Crossroads of Innovation and Inclusion". Over three days, doctoral researchers shared their work with academics, government and international participants, and several tracks ran online. Sustainability sessions covered renewable-energy transitions in sub-Saharan Africa, sustainable biomass use, carbon tax policy, sustainable materials and environmental resilience, ecology and marine sciences, tourism and sustainable development, and resilient health systems. The Minister of Tertiary Education, Science and Research, Dr Kaviraj Sharma Sukon, gave a keynote address.

Local community

Lifelong-learning courses: the Centre for Innovative and Lifelong Learning, with the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities and the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council, offers professional development programmes, including LC028 Working with Youth and LC029 Youth and Sustainable Development.

Education for public officers: under agreements with Ministries, UoM ran a Diploma in Forestry for a fourth cohort of at least 20 officers of the Ministry of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries (SDGs 13, 15), and a BSc (Hons) Management (HRM) top-up for a third batch of 20 public officers.

“Learning Through Play” (22 April 2025): the Confucius Institute at UoM took part in the Ombudsperson for Children's event, running learning activities on children's rights for children from residential care institutions.

The University of Mauritius promotes sustainability literacy among students by encouraging engagement with peer-reviewed academic journals, research publications and other scholarly resources addressing sustainability challenges relevant to their respective fields of study. Students are expected to critically analyse and apply the knowledge acquired through these resources in coursework, assignments, research projects, presentations and examinations, thereby demonstrating their understanding of key sustainability concepts and their practical implications. Through this approach, UoM seeks to strengthen students' ability to retain, evaluate and apply sustainability knowledge, develop critical thinking and foster informed decision-making and responsible practices that contribute to sustainable development.