This year, the University of Mauritius organised the Research Week and the Innovation Week as a single event, The UoM Research and Innovation Week 2023 held from 27 November to 01 December 2023, under the common theme "Promoting Sustainability and Resilience through Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation".

The event started with the Research Component held on 27 and 28 November 2023.

Following the Call for Participation, 190 abstracts were received and reviewed through the Easy Chair platform. 188 Abstracts were accepted for Standard Oral, Flash Oral and Poster presentations.

Professor Kiran Bhujun, Director (Tertiary Education & Scientific Research) was the Guest of Honour for the Opening Ceremony while Mr Anand Kalvoi Venkatarasubramanian, Chief Innovation Officer at the Gopalakrishnan Deshpande Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, IIT Madras delivered a Keynote Address on “Unlocking Brilliance: The Journey from University Research to Commercial Success”. The e-Book of Abstracts was officially launched by the Guest of Honour during the said event.

Parallel Sessions were held afterwards under three (3) Sub-Themes, namely (i) Science, Engineering, Technology & Agriculture encompassing 120 Presentations, (ii) Management, Finance, Law & Economics featuring 36 Presentations and (iii) Social Sciences & Education with 16 Presentations. Posters were displayed in the Raised Plaza during both days. For wider accessibility, the Powerpoint Presentations and Posters are also available on the event’s website: https://sites.uom.ac.mu/researchweek

The Innovation Component of the UoM Research and Innovation Week was held from 29 November to 01 December  2023 consisting of a Student Competition, Presentations by Speakers from the Public and the Private Sectors and Exhibitions of innovative projects by UoM Staff and Students.

The Student Competition, led by the FoICDT, was organised on 29 November 2023 on the sub-theme “Tech-Driven Agriculture” . Ten multidisciplinary teams of full time students from various Faculties participated. Participants had the opportunity to present their proposed innovative solutions during this competition. They presented innovative digital solutions (using Web, Mobile, Cloud, IoT and AI technologies) in designated sub-areas such as: Sustainable Farming Practices and Resource Management; Vertical Farming and Soilless Cultures; and Digital Marketing, Supply Chain Innovation, and Agricultural Education.

Professor Theesan BAHORUN, GOSK, Executive Director, Mauritius Research and Innovation Council (MRIC) was the Chief Guest for the Student Competition 2023 and addressed participants and the audience, highlighting the contribution of the MRIC in encouraging innovation.

Event Sponsors were Ceridian (Mauritius) Ltd, Small Farmers Welfare Fund (SFWF) and Emtel.

The winning teams received cash prizes of Rs30,000 (first place), Rs20,000 (first runner-up) and Rs.10,000 (second runner-up). A Special Jurys’ prize of Rs5,000 sponsored by the SFWF was also awarded to a team.

On 30 November 2023 and 01 December 2023, a series of talks/presentations by Representatives from both the Public and Private Sectors were organised. The Keynote Address  was delivered by Professor (Dr) Xiaotian Zhang, Associate Deputy Director Global at Curtin University, Australia, through a video presentation on “Developing an Entrepreneurial University: A Global Perspective”. More information on the Innovation Days is available at http://uomtempsites.uom.ac.mu/researchweek/index.php/innovweek2023home

The seventh edition of the SDGs e-Newsletter was also launched on 30 November 2023. The articles can be accessed at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JCp8JWLhn4gm6MXUYox1nOQ9_7rz6zuP/view?usp=sharingThe Innovation Days provided the opportunity to several staff and students to display and present interesting projects implemented at local level as well as to learn about schemes set up and implemented by the concerned authorities to promote Innovation and IP in Mauritius.

The last activity of the event was the inauguration of the Food Innovation Laboratory at the UoM AgriTECH Park on Friday 01 December 2023.