The Minister of Tertiary Education, Science, Research and Technology, Rajesh Jeetah, will chair a meeting next week with representatives of the University of Mauritius, the Mauritius Research Council (MRC), the Mauritius Sugar Industry Research Institute (MSIRI), the Agricultural Research and Extension Unit, the Collaborative Mauritius (CM) Network as well as stakeholders of the private sector to discuss the ways and means to develop large scale wheat cultivation in Mauritius.

Rajesh Jeetah made the announcement on Monday November 28, at the final Collaborative Mauritius (CM) Network Event of 2011 – “A year down the road”, which was held at the MSIRI, Réduit.

Promote cooperation

The CM, which is an initiative of the MRC, is a platform to foster networking between key existing research institutions and support knowledge transfer for the creation of innovative products that would contribute to the socio-economic development of the country. The objective of the CM Network Event was to present the activities and achievements for year 2011.

In his address, the Minister highlighted the need for innovation to deal with challenges facing the country. He called on the private sector to join the CM initiative as it represents an opportunity to ‘narrow the collaboration gap’ between public and private institutions, particularly on projects of innovative and commercial potential for Mauritius.

According to Rajesh Jeetah, CM will serve to promote a fundamental and important innovative mindset change necessary for the running of an innovation platform that can propel Mauritius into an exciting future. It is through the collaborative efforts of this network that the research-industry ’gap’ can be narrowed for the benefit of the economy and enhancement of our knowledge base, he added.

Open collaborative partnership

One of the main achievements of the CM Network for 2011 under the innovation partnership programme relates to the establishment of open collaborative partnership among the 12 CM Network partner institutions. 25 connectors from these institutions received training on tools to promote a trusting knowledge-sharing environment and enhance the local innovation climate. The presentation of certificates ceremony for those connectors was held at the event.

The setting up of the CM Network has also brought about a mechanism and system to scan and drive innovative projects of national relevance and with positive socio-economic impact namely on health, food security and wealth creation.

The Network has identified and initiated four pilot projects of commercial intent namely:

- aeroponics where high phytosanitary quality potato seeds are produced though a soil-less system,
- cassava powder-based products,
- eco-press that can contribute to the reduction of labour and energy costs in the textile industry while increasing productivity,
- a document presenting the analytical studies of botanical drawings for the development of colour schemes and pattern design plates from those plants.

The total potential revenue that can be generated from the commercialisation of those projects would amount to around Rs 250 million and provide employment opportunities to some 50 people.

In addition, the portal and database of CM Network that will showcase Mauritian innovation and allow partners to access know-how is currently under construction and will be launched in January 2012.