QUALIREG CONFERENCE

Le réseau QualiREG, en collaboration avec la Faculté d'Agriculture de l'Université de Maurice, organise la "6èmes Rencontres de l'Agroalimentaire en Océan Indien - QualiREG 2017" qui aura lieu du 20-25 Novembre  2017 Université de Maurice, Réduit. 

Industry-University partnership: Invitation to participate in the GID-FAST Dev 2017 for agriculture

FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE Positive interactions with the industry  has help to bring forward the University of Mauritius as a strong, essential, reliable and visible partner for mutual benefits. 

Following a request from the President of the Mauritius Academy of Science and Technology (MAST), Dr J C Autrey to submit proposals of potential local agribusinesses for the programme GID-FASTDEV (Groupe Interacadémique pour le Développement (GID) - Forum Africain des Sciences et Technologies pour le Développement - FastDev ) 2017, Dr Brinda Ramasawmy and Dr Francoise Driver of the Faculty of Agriculture submitted a brief on the hydroponic producer, Top Nature Ltd in July 2017.

We had selected Top Nature Ltd based as a stakeholder of the Faculty of Agriculture. Also, as one of our Masters student from the HAAGRIM project, Mamadou Fall from Senegal worked there as a trainee for 6 months in 2016. He completed completed his Masters dissertation which was on setting up a traceability systems for Top Nature This traceability system enabled the company to obtain the MauriGAP certification and the Made in Moris label in October 2016.

We are pleased to inform you that Top Nature Ltd has been selected to participate in the GID-FAST Dev 2017 programme and has been invited in the forum to be held in Abidjan in November 2017. 

This illustrates a successful example of an industry-university partnership through application of research; sharing of best practices and capacity building for our students through work placement opportunities.

Faculty of Agriculture at the International SME Innovation and Technology Fair 2017

The Faculty of  Agriculture participated at the International SME fair on 11 to 14 May at the Swami Vivekananda International Convention Centre in Pailles. It was an opportunity to show case the technical expertise especially in novel technologies of agriculture, Bio-farming and other value added agri-business activities that the Faculty can leverage to support entrepreneurs in developing their capacities. For more info contact the Dean office at deanfoa@uom.ac.mu

Source GIS - 08 May, 2017: Government wants to endorse innovation and technology for local entrepreneurs and foster new technological strategies to boost up the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector in Mauritius. This was stated by the Minister of Business, Enterprise and Cooperatives, Mr Soomilduth Bholah, during a press conference today and he announced the holding of the International SME Innovation and Technology Fair 2017 on 11 to 14 May at the Swami Vivekananda International Convention Centre in Pailles.

The Minister outlined four major constraints faced by local entrepreneurs to sustain competition and innovation on international frontiers namely a lack of funding; restricted market access; lack of skilled labour; and deficiency in technological resources. He pointed out that the fair will help promote cooperation and partnership with other countries, thus allowing exchange of knowledge, skills, creativity and expertise.

He appealed to entrepreneurs and the public to attend the fair and benefit from this technology transfer and technical know-how sharing activity to facilitate joint ventures and induce innovation for SMEs.

Minister Bholah highlighted that the visit of the Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) of the Republic of India, Mr Kalraj Mishra, will coincide with the International SME Innovation and Technology Fair. Mr Mishra will be on an official visit to Mauritius for five days to attend the Second Joint Committee Meeting on Cooperation in the field of MSME.
Issues that will be addressed during the Joint Committee Meeting are: capacity building for the development of micro and medium enterprises; industrial potential feasibility studies, partnership and cooperation in priority sectors, and handicraft; possibility of technical and managerial training; and organisations of exhibitions and fairs with India.

The International SME Innovation and Technology Fair 2017, aiming to promote innovative and technological strategies for SMEs, is being organised by the Ministry of Business, Enterprise and Cooperatives in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority and the Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The fair is expected to gather around 40 local and 50 international exhibitors from countries like India, China, South of Africa, Italy, and Malaysia, amongst others. A huge variety of products will be displayed mainly in the sectors of medical, renewable energy, manufacturing, innovation, bio-farming, aqua-culture, handicraft and ICT. Seminars will also be held by resource persons from India.

Meaders Scholarship

Meaders Feeds

offre un stage rémunéré d’une année

à une étudiante de l’Université de Maurice

Workshop on Research Management, Research Uptake and Innovation

Workshop on
Research Management, Research Uptake and Innovation

 

                 Speakers: Prof K Mossanda (SARIMA) 

Prof B. Lalljee and Prof S. Facknath (Faculty of Agriculture)

 

Date: Tuesday 7 and 8 March 2017

 

Venue: Conference Room, Faculty of Agriculture,
University of Mauritius, Reduit

 

 Organised by: Faculty of Agriculture and 

 

 Southern African Research and Innovation Management Association (SARIMA)

 

Organised by the Prof B Lalljee, SADC/SRIM Focal Point 

 

THOUGHT FOR FOOD CHALLENGE COMPETITION- PARTICIPATION OF 2 FOOD SCIENCE STUDENTS OF THE FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE

Dhanishta Meetoo teamed up with Manisha Bheeroo (BSc Food Science and Technology Alumni), one student in California and another one in London, to participate in the international Thought For Food Challenge.  Although, their team is not among the 10 selected finalists (there were 479 participants)  their participation is highly commendable and deserves a big applause. This is also a good demonstration of how they have used social media tools, freely available, to prepare their project. This is an example that ought to be followed by all of our students and staff alike.
Well done Team.
Click to view their submission




We are a team of international students with expertise in innovative agriculture, communications, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. Kala studies management information systems in California and is focused on spreading unconventional ideas on sustainability. Dhanishta and Manisha are both food science students from Mauritius who are passionate about creative and innovative ways to tap into natural resources of their tropical homeland. Manisha had conducted scientific studies on the development and quality of jackfruit burgers in the Food Technology laboratory of the Faculty of Agriculture, the University of Mauritius, as part of the her final year dissertation for her undergraduate course in Food Science and Technology.Josephine studies global health and social entrepreneurship. She believes that food innovation can be a major catalyst for sustainable social change. Together we form a dynamic and international team, drawing insights from different culture and disciplines, with a single goal in mind - sustainable food innovations that leverage unexpected resources around the world.

Watch their submissio

Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network

Since 2004, The Faculty of Agriculture is the local node coordinator for Food Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN) in Mauritius.

FANRPAN organised its Regional Food Security Policy Dialogue in Namibia from 30 August-3 September 2010, where over 200 policymakers, agricultural product dealers, scientists and non-governmental organisations from across Africa and the world will gather to address African priorities on food security and climate change and its impacts on agricultural development, natural resource management and rural livelihoods. 

2 academic staff Mr Shane Hurdowar, the local node coordinator  and Mr. B. Rajkomar, together with Mr. Tonta, from the MSIRI and chairperson of the local node committee attended the workshop. This year theme was on Livestock & Fisheries Policies for Food Security and Trade in a Changing Climate. Read more.

The presentations can be acceded on FANRPAN news 

TRAINING NEEDS ASSESSMENT- THEME ONE

Discussion Theme I - An assessment of the quality of the FOA graduates

There will 3 discussion themes:

• Theme 1 An assessment of the quality of the FOA graduates.
• Theme 2 Training Needs Requirements
• Theme 3 Curriculum Development

Each theme will have an objective and a set of questions to guide you in your thinking and responses. At the end of each debate on each theme, the moderators will sum up the discussion and post it on the blog.Please could you kindly invite your friends and peers to participate on this discussion forum.


Theme 1 Quality of Graduates

Objective:To assess the level of satisfaction of graduates in the agricultural and food sectors How useful has the course been in the delivery of your job tasks?

Questions * REPLY by Clicking on the COMMENTS BOX

• What is your level of satisfaction with the programme of studies?
• What are the additional skills that you would expect them to have?
• What improvements would you suggest in the training provided at the Faculty of Agriculture?

With my anticipated thanks for your frank and genuine comments.

DEAN FOA

Past Graduates and Partners of the Faculty Corner

Hello All

I am pleased to announce that a special link has been created on our blog for past graduates (Alumni) and partners. It aims at keeping close contact and interacting with you. If you wish to contribute, please click Alumni and Partners Corner above and post your comments.

With my warmest thanks

Dean

Photos- Orientation Day

The new cohorts of first year students listening to the VC, Prof K.Morgan and Pro-Chancellor, Prof S.Jugessur speech through video presentations.

Ms. Medha Devi Moti, Guest speaker, delivering the keynote speech.

The audience enjoyed Ms Medhas' jokes

Some academic staff of the FOA

Students and staff enjoying their MILO drinks.

 The Dean, PRO and academic staff welcoming the guest speaker in the FoA conference room.

The Dean of Faculty, Assoc. Prof. D. Puchooa delivering his welcoming speech.