National Day Celebrations 2025: Flag Raising Ceremony at the UoM

National Day Celebrations 2025: Flag Raising Ceremony at the UoM

The University of Mauritius proudly celebrated its Flag Raising Ceremony, this Tuesday 11th March 2025 at 11.30 hrs, in the Paul Octave Wiéhé Auditorium, to mark the 57th Anniversary of the Independence Day and the 33rd Anniversary of the Republic of Mauritius with the theme "As one people, As one Nation". The central theme of the celebration is "One people as one nation," reflecting the national anthem and emphasizing the importance of unity, respect, and peace for a better Mauritius.

In his speech, the Vice Chancellor, Prof S. Sobhee highlighted the key milestones of the University of Mauritius journey.

Founded in 1965, the University began as a small institution with a primary focus on science and technology. It aimed to meet the educational needs of a growing, post-independent nation.

In the 1970s, the university played a crucial role in producing diploma holders and graduates in agriculture and sugar technology, which was then the icon of economic development of independent Mauritius. Infrastructural development necessitated industrial and technical knowledge, which led to flagship academic programs.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the University expanded its academic programs to include business, law, humanities, and social sciences. This expansion led to the creation of the faculty of law and management, the faculty of social studies and humanities, and the faculty of science, solidifying the university's role as a leading educational institution. The university was called upon to play a role in the textile and service sectors during the economic transformation.

Entering the 21st century, the University undertook significant strides in modernizing its infrastructure and strengthening international collaborations. New programs in engineering, information technology, and environmental studies aligned the university with global trends in higher education. Partnerships with international institutions fostered student exchange programs and collaborative research, positioning the university as a key player in the region. The creation of the faculty of information, communication and digital technologies, and recently the faculty of medicine and health sciences, clearly demonstrates the university's adaptation to the evolution of the economy and society. The delivery evolved from a teacher-centered to a learner-centred approach with the support of digital technologies.

Today, the University offers a wide array of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs with a strong emphasis on research and innovation. It has produced more than 70,000 diploma holders and graduates and continues to serve as a temple of learning. The University is internationally benchmarked by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings in 2025. The university has also signed several inter-institutional agreements under the Erasmus program for student and staff exchanges.  

Looking ahead, the University is preparing to host a series of events to mark its 60th anniversary, a milestone in its history.

Addressing the students as future ambassadors, the VC encourages them to commit to their careers, be inquisitive throughout their quest for knowledge, and broaden their understanding beyond their disciplines. He underscores the transformative power of education, quoting Nelson Mandela's autobiography, "Long Walk to Freedom": "Education is the great engine of personal development. It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, that the son of a mine worker can become the head of a mine, that a child of a farmworker can become the president of a great nation." This quote emphasizes education as a tool for social mobility and national progress

Conclusion:

The VC's address provides a snapshot of the University of Mauritius's past, present, and future. It reinforces the institution's commitment to national development, highlights the significance of education, and calls for unity and progress. The upcoming 60th-anniversary celebrations signify a milestone in the university's history and a renewed dedication to its mission.

The VC concluded by thanking all contributors to the nation's development and a call to stand united as one people in one nation, one university, and one family, serving the nation for a brighter and more robust country.

Long live the Republic of Mauritius and the University of Mauritius !