BUSEDA: Academic and cultural exchange event

On 30 September 2024, the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, in collaboration with the UoM Students' Economics Society, organised an academic and cultural exchange event to welcome Professor Dmitry Zimin from Finland.

Professor Zimin leads the BUSEDA (Business and Sustainable Economic Development: African and European Perspectives) Project, which merges academic expertise and practical knowledge on contemporary economic development and business climate in selected African countries and Finland.

The University of Mauritius is honoured to be a key partner in the BUSEDA Project. The project coordinators, Associate Professor Dr. Tandrayen and Associate Professor Dr. Ramessur were also present.

The event served as an academic and cultural exchange between Mauritius and Finland, offering students valuable insights about the BUSEDA Project, Finland’s economic landscape, and potential job and study opportunities in Finland. The UoM Dance Club also demonstrated their talent through a cultural dance. 

To mark the end of the programme, participants from the last event organised by the Faculty - Youth Symposium were awarded their certificates.

As a higher education institution, the University of Mauritius recognises its role in advancing gender equity and equality.  Further to the initiative undertaken by a team of Faculty members, the UoM has been awarded the ACU Gender Grant 2023-2024 for a project entitled

“Support Women Academics at the University of Mauritius – Moving from STEM to STEAM and SHAPE”

The project's core objectives are to support women academics in research and promote gender equality in academia at the University of Mauritius in line with the Times Higher Education (THE)'s ranking.

Research capacity building workshops will be organised to enhance research skills via writing for publication, improving on citations, writing and bidding for research funding and consultancies.  It focuses on targeted support and resources tailored to the challenges faced by women researchers.  By investing in the research capacity and career advancement of women academics, the University of Mauritius can strengthen its position in the THE ranking, positioning itself as a leading institution committed to excellence, innovation and diversity in research.

The team of Faculty members comprises: 

• Dr Verena Tandrayen-Ragoobur from the Faculty of Social Sciences & Humanities
• Dr Sheereen Banon Fauzel from the Faculty of Law and Management and
• Dr Bibi Sumera Keenoo from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences

ACU Gender Grants are awarded annually to member universities to support a diverse range of initiatives that will boost gender equity and equality on campus, including supporting women in leadership, raising awareness of sexual harassment and developing anti-sexual harassment initiatives, and mainstreaming gender equity into the curriculum.

 In line with its mission to act as a think tank, the UoM, through its Faculty members, has once again demonstrated its engagement in policy development at national level by ccontributing to the drafting and formulation of the National Employment Policy (NEP) 2024-2028.

The National Employment Policy (NEP) 2024-2028, recently approved, aims to address the expressed needs, expectations and priorities for employment promotion in the following four policy priorities:

(a) stimulate Employment Growth in Emerging and Sunset Sectors;

(b) address Education and Skills Mismatch and Labour Shortage;

(c) strengthen Labour Market Policies and Institutions; and

(d) promote Quality Employment: Decent Work and Social Inclusion.

The drafting and formulation of the National Employment Policy 2024-2028 (NEP) was undertaken by a team from the University of Mauritius, comprising Dr Verena Tandrayen-Ragoobur (Lead Investigator), Dr Sheereen Fauzel and Dr Taruna Ramessur, in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation and the Ministry of Labour, Human Resource Development and Training.

Five engineering students from the University of Mauritius were announced as one of the winning entries for the UNESCO World Engineering Day Hackathon 2023. The global competition challenged students to come up with innovative solutions to real-world problems linked to Sustainable Development Goals 2 Zero Hunger, 3 Good Health and Well-being, and 6 Clean Water and Sanitation.

More info: https://mauritius.un.org/en/224259-world-water-day-2023

It is our great pleasure to inform you that Ms Bibi Nausheen Jaffur, PhD student at the University of Mauritius under HEC scholarship and under the supervision of Associate Professor (Dr) Pratima Jeetah and Assoc Prof (Dr) Gopalakrishnan Kumar has been selected by the Jury of the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Sub-Saharan Africa Young Talents Programme as one of the twenty recipients of the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Sub-Saharan Africa Young Talents Endowments.

Intended for women doctoral and postdoctoral researchers working in a research laboratory or research institute or university, the Endowment will enable Ms Jaffur to continue her research in Environmental biotechnology and to showcase her work and achievements.

The grand award ceremony was held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast on 1st December 2022 to celebrate the 2022 @Fondation L'Oréal-@UNESCO #ForWomenInScience Sub-Saharan Africa Young Talents Award. A celebration dedicated to recognizing female excellence in science in Sub-Saharan Africa, during which myself and nineteen other African scientists will proudly accept awards for our work and research and its impact across the continent

Thank you again to the @Fondation L'Oréal and @UNESCO and thank you to all those who are supporting her in her scientific career thus far!