Colleagues, President of the Students’ Union, Faculty
Student’s Representative, and
our dear students. A warm welcome to you all! It’s indeed a
great pleasure to address you this morning, as the Ag. Dean of the Faculty.
Let me first congratulate our first year students for
securing a seat at this University. To get seat here is not easy. Just to give
some statistics, we have accepted only 1 application for 4 applications
rejected. I commend you for your hard work at secondary schools, which paved
your way to our Faculty. Our Faculty, small as it may be described, is yet a
united family of 408 BSc, MSc and MPhil/ PhD students.There is a saying ‘small
is beautiful’. I’ll say so we are!
This year, around 108 students are joining the Faculty for
the first time. We thank you for your trust in choosing our Faculty for your
university studies. I assure you that you will enjoy our courses, which have
been carefully designed and developed by our experienced professors. We have
four (4) programmes of studies, namely:
BSc (Hons) AgriScience and Technology
BSc (Hons) AgriScience and Technology (Minor: Agribusiness
Management)
BSc (Hons) Microbiology
BSc (Hons) Food Hygiene and Environmental Health (Top-Up
Programme for inservice
personnel)
Today it’s the 30th of July. It marks your first taste of
university education. This date will be a memorable day for you and ‘MEMORABLE
FOR A LIFETIME’. Today is the day when your transformation will start. You will
start to discover life as never before. Let me share with you that university
studies are not an extension of secondary schooling. You will surely get
knowledge, but the way you use the knowledge is of paramount importance.
Application of knowledge to solve industry problems, to design new products, to
develop new processes, to set up experimental works, and to advise stakeholders
will become part and parcel of your routine life, as a future professional. At
the Faculty, we’ll ensure that you are empowered to perform at these levels. We
are committed to your education, training and professional growth.
Our Faculty will soon celebrate 100 years as an agricultural
training institution. It has, for several decades, been dedicated to its
mission of capacity building in the field of Agriculture and Food. We have a
committed academic staff, supported by a dedicated technical and administrative
support staff. We are proud to have contributed to the economic development of
the country. Some of you can recall: it all started with the Sugar Industry and
the sugar protocol, 3 decades ago. Thanks to the profits generated by the Sugar
Industry in the 1980’s, the economy was diversified into the tourism and EPZ
sectors. Today we have a diversified economy, but we still eat 3 times a day.
We need food, we need to feed animals and we are called upon by the Food and Agricultural
Organisation (the FAO) to produce more because of food security issues.
So, opportunities are there for you to tap, not only here in
Mauritius, but over the African continent and in the region, where significant
economic growth is expected in the short and medium term basis. The Faculty
does not operate in isolation. Over decades, we have developed strong linkages
and partnerships with many local and international institutions. These help to ensure
the relevance of our programmes to the job market and ensure the continued excellence
in teaching, learning and research.
However, dear students, these assets will not make a
difference unless you fulfill your responsibilities as students. We have been
requested by the University Administration
to focus on some of your responsibilities.
1. Students’ discipline: There has been a decline in the
discipline and conduct of students of the University over the recent years. We
sincerely hope that you will takeresponsibility of your education: coming
on-time for lectures and practical classes; ensuring that there is an
environment conducive to teaching and learning at the Faculty; and showing
respect to your elderly, be it your parents, members of the public or any staff
at the University.
2. Be aware! These are two magic words. For everything you
do in your University life, just ‘be aware’. Be aware of what is posted on the
notice boards of the Faculty, be aware of the information sent to you by
e-mails, be aware of information on the University web-site, be aware of your
commitments, be aware of your responsibilities and the University regulations.
Let me quote: “Where ignorance is our master, there
is no possibility of real peace” - Dalai
Lama the fourteenth. Be kind to your ‘gurus’, please gift them this
peace of mind and don’t be driven by ignorance. Dear students, I can assure you
that our Faculty is doing everything to ensure that you have the knowledge,
skills and attitudes required for employment. We are sparing no effort to get
updated equipment, textbooks and other learning resources and to ensure the
provision of a safe working environment. We expect you to put your best effort,
to give your 100% in everything you do, and nothing less than 100%.
Before I move to the vote of thanks, let’s ponder on our
country’s needs: safe and quality food, modern technologies and processes in
agriculture; sustainable use of land and water resources; catering for food
security of our nation, we need to be prepared for climate change, we have to
change our mindset from a ‘small island state’ to a ‘large ocean state’. As you
can see, challenges are awaiting you. We will inculcate in you the knowledge;
the critical thinking skills; and the problem-solving skills to meet the challenges
ahead.
Earlier on I used a word transformation. During your
transformation at this University,you may also witness the transformation of
the Faculty, following the Visitor’s Report duly endorsed by the Prime
Minister’s Office. The Faculty will get a new appellation: Faculty of
Agriculture, Life and Ocean Sciences and hopefully we’ll get more resources, and
have more departments and staff. Let’s all take responsibility to contribute to
thesetransformations for our own betterment.
To end, I wish to thank all members of staff who have spared
no effort to make the Induction Session a successful event. I thank all staff
for taking their valuable time to be present today. I am grateful to the Heads
of Department, our Faculty Representative on the Induction Committee; our
Administrative Officer, our SEA and his team; the Acing Farm Manager and CITS
staff who have contributed to this event.
I take this opportunity to thank each and every member of
our staff for their dedication and support. The Faculty is a great place to
study, believe me I have myself experienced it.
Dear students, on behalf of all staff of the Faculty, I wish
you a fruitful and enjoyable
journey ahead. COME WHAT MAY, NEVER LOSE YOUR SMILE!
Thank you!
Ag. Dean
FACULTY REP SPEECH
FACULTY REP SPEECH
Acting
Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture
Mr
Navin Boodia
Respected
lecturers
Members
of the technical and administrative staffs
Ladies
and gentlemen
Dear
Newcomers,
Today,
I have the immense pleasure and honor of welcoming the new students of the
faculty of agriculture on behalf of the UoM Students’ Union.
First
of all, I would also like to express my heartfelt congratulations to you for
your success at the HSC exams.
Indeed,
as from today, you are embarking on a new academic journey which is completely
different from what you have experienced at secondary level, in terms of
studies, social life and personality building and I can assure you that
campus-time is one of the best periods you will experience in your life.
It
is really encouraging to see students opting for the field of agriculture in
our modern times. Agriculture is still a
very important pillar of the Mauritian economy.
Today agriculture is moving towards avenues such as biotechnology, food
safety, microbiology, and sustainable organic production.
We
all know the problems of global warming, Food crisis and many more that are
arising due to eradication of our plants just to put up concrete everywhere.
Hence we youngsters should be aware of the importance of Agriculture in our
today’s’ world.
The
faculty of Agriculture is well-known for forming young and dynamic graduates who
are sufficiently trained and equipped to enter the world of work. And you will be pleased to know that a number
of graduates from the Faculty now, hold key positions in the public and private
sectors. You will also find dedicated
academic and supporting staffs who will guide, help, advise and encourage you
to achieve your goals. However,
University life involves a lot of your own research works and group works,
determination and hard work.
Our
faculty may be the smallest in terms of student population, but we are very
popular for our solidarity, friendship and unity. There is a deep sense of belonging that
prevails here at FOA. I can assure you
that you will not regret to have chosen this faculty and we will also ensure
that your adaptation is quick and smooth.
As from today, you are all part of our small family. And I am very sure that your inclusion to our
family is not less than a blessing.
So
dear friends, on behalf of the Students’ Union, I wish you a fruitful and
successful stay at the University.
Long
live the Republic of Mauritius
Long
live the University of Mauritius
Long
live the Faculty of Agriculture.
Thank you.
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