The Faculty of Agriculture's Vision for a Food-Secure Mauritius

 

Associate Professor Dr. Joyce Govinden, Dean of Faculty of Agriculture

  Zero Hunger, Good Health: Our Drive Towards 2030 🍎

At the core of our mission is an unwavering dedication to food security – a critical piece of the global puzzle. The Dean highlighted our alignment with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). These aren't just abstract targets; as the Dean reminded us, they are concrete objectives by 2030" that guide every initiative we undertake.

Inclusion: Empowering Every Hand, Especially Women's 👩‍🌾

Inclusion isn't just a buzzword for us; it's fundamental to how we operate. The Dean emphasized its importance, especially within the context of the SDGs, ensuring all professionals, regardless of gender, have the support and opportunities they need to thrive. Because true progress means empowering every member of our community.

A Storied Past, A Dynamic Future: The Heart of the University ❤️

While the University of Mauritius celebrates 60 years, our Faculty of Agriculture proudly stands at 111 years old. As the Dean put it, we are truly "the roots of the university." Despite this rich history, our faculty remains "very young in spirit," "dynamic," and "forward-thinking," deeply engaged in diverse and impactful training programs. Our Food Science program, built from the ground up since 2000, is a testament to our continuous evolution and innovation.

Education for All: Opening University Doors Wide 🚪

Our commitment to education goes beyond traditional degrees. We believe in providing "accès à l'université" for a wide audience, offering a broad spectrum of training programs. From "short to undergraduate and postgraduate degree," to specialized "certificate training," we ensure that vital skills are accessible to everyone. We've established state-of-the-art labs and trained specialists in agrofood processing, ensuring our graduates, like the 35 participants celebrated today, are equipped with expertise in crucial areas such as hygiene, safe food production, food waste valorisation, processing techniques, and product development. These skills are crucial not only for enhancing local food systems but also for enabling Mauritius to meet international standards for export, thereby contributing significantly to the nation's economy and establishing a regional and international reputation.

Building Bridges: The Power of Partnership 🤝

The Dean highlighted our engagement with both public and private sectors, emphasizing "collaboration public." Our partners include government institutions, industry leaders, and invaluable NGOs like the Falcon Association. This collaborative spirit ensures that training programs and research are relevant and directly contribute to national objectives. Our good relationship with Falcon Association, is a perfect example of how working together at the grassroots level allows us to truly "bridge the gap between academia and community needs."

Congratulations, Graduates! 🎉

The Dean concluded the address with congratulations for all the participants.