A commemorative plaque was unveiled on that occasion, followed by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Cyclotron Reunion Ocean Indien (CYROI), represented by its Director, Mr. Christian Mériau. CYROI is a technology platform in the field of biosciences which offers high level multidisciplinary support to laboratories and companies involved in research development programs and innovation.

Both the Minister of Tertiary Education and the Minister of Health recommended this initiative and encouraged University lecturers to increase their research output, thereby helping to position Mauritius in the economic frontline and giving it international recognition both as a Knowledge and Medical hub. It is according to Dr Jeetah noteworthy that two members of the Research team are National Research Chairs, namely Prof Dhanjay Jhurry and Prof Theeshan Bahorun.

Over the past five years, the CBBR team composed of Prof Jhurry, Prof Bahorun, Dr Archana Bhaw-Luximon and Dr Sabrina Dyall from the Departments of Biosciences and Chemistry, have worked together and re-oriented their research on biomaterials and drug delivery. “Nothing great is possible if you do not have people around you who share the same vision and who can support you selflessly. I have had colleagues who have looked in the same direction and this makes the difference” remarked Prof Jhurry. The Research centre will now operate at the frontier of materials science, polymer science and health and medicine. Based on its acquired expertise, the research team will focus on emerging fields such as nanotechnology and nanomedicine.

So as to ensure that the centre pursues in its task of excellence, a scientific advisory committee will oversee its research activities and performance and will assist the CBBR in international networking and in its quest for funding. These experts are Dr Sudhoo, Director of the Mauritius Research Council, Dr Mohadeb, Executive Director of the Tertiary Education Commission, Mr Luximon, from the Ministry Tertiary Education, Science Research and Technology, Dr Thacoor, Mr D’Arifat, Pharmacie Nouvelle, and Dr Gerard Le Fur, former CEO of Sanofi Aventis and Member of the Academie Française des Sciences.

The CBBR has solicited the help of Leal Group and Pharmacie Nouvelle as partners. On Thursday itself, Leal Group announced that IT equipment would be donated to the Centre for Biomedical and Biomaterials Research for its conference room. Prof Jhurry acknowledged that now more than ever, the success of the Research centre “will depend on the support it will be receiving from the public and private sector to help it in its mission towards health innovation”.

Their photos can be seen on the NY Times blog at: http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/07/pictured-a-world-at-7-billion/#index or may be accessed through the links posted on the Communication Studies Unit blog at: http://comstudies.wordpress.com/

High expectations are awaited from this leap forward to modernize and reform the Tertiary Education sector as the trend is to develop common goals and objectives worldwide. African Higher Education institutions and national bodies, endorsing the project, seek to establish comparable and compatible programme of studies so that their degrees can be recognized across regions. This holistic approach aims at removing barriers and restrictions for the mobility of students, graduates and scholars by fostering curriculum collaboration and understanding. Five thematic areas have been identified: Medicine, Teacher Education, Agriculture, Mechanical Engineering and Construction Engineering. The Tuning Pilot Project Africa will be run over 18 months to follow each step of the Tuning methodology and to develop a conceptual framework and generic reference points in those different subject areas.

More info on http://www.tuningafrica.org/

Prof Morgan said that “this international success is a momentous occasion not only for the University but also for the country, proof that the UoM is dedicated to serve the country and its development”. Adding to the congratulation note of the VC to the CBBR team, led by Prof Dhanjay Jhurry, for bringing such a distinction to the University, Prof Soodursun Jugessur, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the University Council, stressed on the team spirit that was behind the project and which led to this historical achievement. Prof Jhurry, National Research Chair and Professor of Chemistry at the Faculty of Science, is the Head of the Centre for Biomedical and Biomaterials research.

The ANDI has been established to ‘promote and sustain African-led health product innovation to address African’s public health needs through efficient use of local knowledge, assembly of research networks, and building of capacity to support economic development’. Last year, the Centre for Biomedical and Biomaterials research responded to a call by ANDI which sought to establish Centres of Excellence across the African continent. After 18 months of rigorous peer-review and selection process, the CBBR has been recognized as Centre of Excellence among 32 other CoEs. It is the only Research centre declared in the Indian Ocean and is among seven other universities where CoEs have been established by ANDI. The Research centre was set-up from grass-root level by University researchers in 2010.

Research at crossroads

Greatest scientific discoveries and major innovations often result from multidisciplinary collaboration. The CBBR therefore pools together researchers in fields such as Biosciences, Biotechnology, Bioengineering, Bioinformatics, Chemistry and Pharmaceutical to address and respond to research with a holistic approach. “Researchers and students working under CBBR are presently scattered throughout the University but will shortly be grouped under one roof” said Prof Jhurry. The onus now rests on University researchers to join hands to carry out their research.

From research to commercialization

Research conducted by the CBBR can contribute to the development of new biomaterials to be used and adapted for medical purposes in the health sector, for instance, in transplant of organs, growth of tissues and cells in labs, drug delivery systems, Nanopharmaceuticals, Biopharmaceuticals, Genomics & Proteomics and design of medical equipments among others.

Public and Private sector collaboration

The Ministry of Tertiary Education and the Tertiary Education Commission have injected seed money to the tune of Rs 4,460,000 for the centre to launch its activities. Now, the support and financial assistance of the private sector to the CBBR is eagerly awaited. As says Prof Jhurry: “this is a win-win process as the CBBR can also partner with local hospitals, clinics and pharmaceutical companies to bring innovation in the health sector”.

How can CBBR help Mauritius

With the help of foreign collaborators, the Centre for Biomedical and Biomaterials research will spearhead medical and pharmaceutical research locally. The ANDI network can obviously help the Research centre to better address local problems. CBBR will also assist in high-level training with the help of foreign expertise and with proper financing, will surely become a major incentive for young graduates and PhD students to fully embrace research. This centre can also help promote the image of the island as a developing nation by fostering innovation through the development of indigenous products and concurrently encourage investors in the medical and pharmaceutical sectors by providing local expertise. Through this initiative, the CBBR team seeks to boost both the medical and knowledge hub in the country.

CBBR Research Thrusts:

1. Polymers in Medicine and Polymer Therapeutics: biomaterials and drug delivery

• Developing tailor-made biodegradable/bioresorbable polymers for use as medical devices such as implants, cardiac valves, stents, wound dressings; develop polymer-based scaffolds for tissue engineering.
• Elaborating novel self-assembled polymers in the nanometre size range for applications in the pharmaceutical area and more precisely as controlled drug release devices targeting cancer and infectious diseases (TB, malaria, etc).

2. Development of value-added materials from locally available resource

Development of advanced biotechnological processes for the transformation of sugar-cane to value added chemicals for various applications including the energy sector. Exploitation of marine seaweeds and algae (micro and macro)

3. Dietary Biofactors and Herbal Medicine research programme

Evaluation of plant based foods/beverages and other relevant medicinal/endemic plants using a multidisciplinary approach that includes basic research and clinical intervention trials to determine their health promoting and disease management potentials. Study the biological activity and molecular mechanisms of action involved in the prevention of certain important disease conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and certain cancers.

 More info on http://vcampus.uom.ac.mu/cbbr/

Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the University council, who was the finalist of the Drivers of Change Award 2011 in the individual award category. This prestigious award is organised by the Mail and Guardian and the South Africa Trust ‘to recognise companies/individuals from across the Southern Africa region that are making a real impact on the lives of people living in poverty, through the development and implementation of effective public policies and strategies, to overcome poverty’.

Prof Jugessur’s contribution to the country is acknowledged in a supplement to the Mail and Guardian, which portrays his career path as a scientist and engineer. Prof Jugessur also served at the United Nations as chief of science and technology for the African region in 1982. Wanting to change the mindsets in a society oblivious of family values, Prof Jugessur launched the movement Sukhi Parivaar – Happy Family in 2006, with the aim of bringing peace and harmony at home.

Changing societies by Alf James, Mail & Guardian online (4 November 2011)

Finalist

Individual Award

Professor Soodursun Jugessur

As a scientist and an engineer, Professor Soodursun Jugessur has worked for more than three decades to ­promote social and economic ­development through better application of science and technology.

He is the chairperson of the Mauritius Research Council and the University of Mauritius Council. He is also president of the Mauritius Academy of Science and Technology, a high-level think tank that advises policymakers on issues such as ­climate change.

The impact of Jugessur’s career has stretched to the United Nations. While he was a professor of industrial technology in Mauritius in 1982, he was recruited by the UN’s economic commission for Africa to serve as the chief of science and technology for the Africa region.

In this capacity his efforts convinced African policymakers to place more emphasis on the application of available science and technology as a priority to enable faster social and economic development. During his tenure many African governments changed their national policies in ­science and technology.

After retirement from the UN he returned to Mauritius, where he plunged headlong into efforts to transform social and economic thinking. He stood as a candidate for the ruling Labour Party to contest the general elections.

The government lost the elections, but Jugessur continued his work as a social activist and consultant in science and technology to local and international organisations. When the Labour Party regained power in 2005, he was selected to head both the University of Mauritius and the Mauritius Research councils.

His fervour to change mind-sets and social thinking led him to found a non-governmental organisation called Sukhi Parivaar, or the Happy Family. Its objective was to make the home the first place of peace, ­harmony, mutual understanding and solidarity by encouraging parents to assume their parental ­responsibilities and ensures daily dialogue between the members of the family.

Sukhi Parivaar’s innovation is in requiring each member, starting with the father, to relate their day’s experiences to the rest of the family. Encouraging this family communion helps to build strong relationships and to monitor family development.

Jugessur has an MSc in physics and a DSc in electrical engineering. He is a fellow and member of several professional institutions and has published in many scientific journals. He has also written six books, the most recent titled Science-based Development. He has received several top awards from the Mauritian government for his achievements and has been ­honoured by the Global Organisation for People of Indian Origin as a great intellectual.

The judges said the professor deserved a Drivers of Change award in recognition of his brilliant career, both locally and in the UN. They also commended his efforts in promoting the use of science and technology for social and economic development in Africa.

http://mg.co.za/article/2011-11-04-changing-societies/

Initially, some 30 indigenous species have been planted and in the long run, it is expected to showcase the 315 species which are endemic in the Mauritian flora. The launching was held for the occasion under a traditional tent made up of palm leaves, bamboo shoots and other natural on-site resources which enhanced the endemic scenery of the tropical island.

The unique Endemic and Medicinal Plant Garden “will capture the rich heritage of endemic and medicinal plants of the country” says Associate Professor Marie-Francoise Driver, Dean of Faculty of Agriculture. The objectives of the garden are to enhance teaching and research activities, promote public awareness on environmental issues and biodiversity conservation, and to encourage the conservation of traditional knowledge of endemic and medicinal plants.

Indeed, the biodiversity picture for the island’s flora is darker than imagined. Mauritius is considered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources as the third island with the most threatened flora after Hawaii and the Canary Islands. Around 60 percent of the endemic plant species are threatened, which implies some 200 species.

Impressed by the efforts of the FoA students and university staff, Prof Jugessur invited the students to look into the many applications of these plants, whether medicinal or pharmaceutical, and advised them to engage into the creation of Small and Medium Enterprises. Hopefully, he said that this Endemic Garden would “awaken the spirit of nature within all of us”. On a lighter note, the Minister of Tertiary Education aroused the audience’s interest through a small quiz game related to Endemic plants and gardens. The unveiling of the Commemorative Plaque and the Ribbon Cutting ceremony resounded with symbolism when Priyadarshinee, the youngest registered student of the Faculty and Mr Kitaruth, most senior staff of the University farm with over 40 years of service, led the way to the planting ceremony at the endemic garden.

The whole event was orchestrated by Mr Kamlesh Bhoodhoo, FoA lecturer and Officer-in-Charge of the Agricultural Production & Systems Dept and Mr Shane Hardowar, Acting Farm Manager, and the staff of the University farm. This venture could not have been achieved without the help of valued partners such as the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Industry, the National Parks and Conservation Service, Vallée d’Osterlog Endemic Garden Foundation and ENL society, whose collaboration were acknowledged by the Dean of Faculty.

This glorious day will surely remain in the memories of all the staff, students and members of the Faculty of Agriculture and the UoM Farm as they took up the challenge for the conservation of the Mauritian plant biodiversity.

The S.A.W club, formed two years ago, regroups a batch of Law and Management students together with representatives from all the University Faculties, who strive for unity and social advancement. The SAWYER family today counts some 300 members across the whole University. During the past year, this team had been involved in several activities, working with NGOs and institutions such as the Chrysalide Rehabilitation Centre, the MRA, the Gandhi Ashram, the Imperial College, the Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre and organised fun days at orphanages and schools for Special Children such as the the EDYCS Epilepsy group Fondation Georges Charles amongst others.

Prior to the YEA 2011, they recently celebrated their second anniversary in the Paul Octave Wiehe Auditorium on Thursday 3 November in the presence of Dr the Hon. Rajeshwar Jeetah, Minister of Tertiary Education, Science, Research and Technology. Uttra Boodan, president of the S.A.W. club addressed herself to the audience, not at all expecting the coming consecration of the YEA 2011. “We are celebrating the efforts put forward by our members, the dignity and courage they displayed by skipping days of leisure for a noble cause. We are celebrating those gracious souls who have chosen to improve the mindset of our society regarding taboos… What our team undertakes is not a task of charity but an act of justice” said Uttra.

After adorning the most active members with medals, the team extended a special thought to Mrs Shivani Georgijevic, Lecturer in Law, for her unflinching support. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Konrad Morgan, with his most humble attitude congratulated the team for looking beyond barriers and for making university life meaningful in all it senses as the team pledged to move out of the university not only with a certificate in hand but with an attitude and personality that will make the world a better place.

All sports activities were under the supervision of the Sports Unit whereas all leisure and recreation games fell under the responsibility of the Students Union. Amateur and professional athletes participated in tournaments for football, volleyball, badminton, pool, petanque, table tennis and Tug of war. This edition of ‘Semaine de L’étudiant’ also included the traditional leisure game ‘sapsiway’ and more innovative ones like paintball, golf, dance learning session, cycling, foot volley. All participants were given T-shirts for each activity in which they took part.

Each year this popular event appeals and attracts a larger population of students. Overall the ‘Semaine de L’étudiant’ has been quite a success and we hope that in the coming years it will become a “must- attend” event.

Mr A Kistamah, Sports Officer

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As part of his research work for the UoM, Dr Bhagooli, senior lecturer at the department of Biosciences, has been involved in Marine science and was led to study the impact of climate change on coral reefs and related degradation effects. Elevated temperatures have given rise to massive coral bleaching events worldwide, a major concern in the field of Marine science.

The trigger to this international collaboration came about from a training workshop on ‘Genomics for coral biologists’ held at the Mote Marine Laboratory in Florida, USA, in which Dr Bhagooli participated in August 2010. Their research focused on using gene expression analysis to study the response of corals to acute heat-light.

Abstract

Coral reefs are declining worldwide due to increased incidence of climate-induced coral bleaching, which will have widespread biodiversity and economic impacts. A simple method to measure the sub-bleaching level of heat-light stress experienced by corals would greatly inform reef management practices by making it possible to assess the distribution of bleaching risks among individual reef sites. Gene expression analysis based on quantitative PCR (qPCR) can be used as a diagnostic tool to determine coral condition in situ. We evaluated the expression of 13 candidate genes during heat-light stress in a common Caribbean coral Porites astreoides, and observed strong and consistent changes in gene expression in two independent experiments. Furthermore, we found that the apparent return to baseline expression levels during a recovery phase was rapid, despite visible signs of colony bleaching. We show that the response to acute heat-light stress in P. astreoides can be monitored by measuring the difference in expression of only two genes: Hsp16 and actin. We demonstrate that this assay discriminates between corals sampled from two field sites experiencing different temperatures. We also show that the assay is applicable to an Indo-Pacific congener, P. lobata, and therefore could potentially be used to diagnose acute heat-light stress on coral reefs worldwide.

Kenkel CD, Aglyamova G, Alamaru A, Bhagooli R, Capper R, et al. (2011) Development of Gene Expression Markers of Acute Heat-Light Stress in Reef- Building Corals of the Genus Porites. PLoS ONE 6(10): e26914. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0026914

http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0026914

Yogeesh was diagnosed with Muscular dystrophy at the age of four. His musculoskeletal system is now so weakened that he relies completely on electric wheel chairs and the support of his parents, family and friends.

Yet Yogeesh is a determined young boy whose disease has not refrained from pursuing studies and his dreams.

This brilliant student of Vacoas SSS boys is a passionate of IT. And he is presently sitting for the School Certificate Exams with much confidence.

Music is his other passion, and he will soon realise his dream by launching a CD, known as “Mo Vision”. Several well known artists such as Linzy Bacbot, Bruno Raya, Ras Ricky from Seychelles and Kymai from France collaborated with him on this album. ‘Mo vision’ is Yogeesh’s message that people should not give up when they face problems as there is a solution to all problems.

During this informal incursion into Yogeesh’s life, the students were all charmed and fascinated by his courage, passion and determination:

Sandeep Bhorouth, CSE year 1 student

“Seeing that guy was top, seeing that boy fighting and looking toward success, for me was a big lesson. He is a model for us. So young and so determined, and living his passion of music and trying to live the best he can every day of his life. Meeting Yogeesh and family has been a most enriching experience. I have learnt that one should never lose courage in life and that we should be happy with ourselves and don’t try to have wants more than expected”.

Shanah Buctowar, CSE, year 1 student

“I had never met a muscular dystrophy person before, I was sort of apprehending. When meeting with the grandmother and parents I realized how hard it is on the family to deal with a severely physically disabled child. Yet Yogeesh is someone ever happy, and his parents take so much care and deal so calmly with the situation. I learnt how devotion can make us stay happy, even though life is difficult!”

Mithesh Soobarah, Occupational Therapy, year 4 student

“Quand Mme Nivault a demandé qu’un étudiant de OT les accompagne, j’ai été volontaire pour cette visite, même si c’était en plein préparation du ‘World Occupational Therapy Day’ qu’on organisait sur le campus. C’était enrichissant d’échanger avec le père de Yogeesh, sur plein de choses par rapport a l’état  d’évolution de la maladie de Yogeesh, sur la façon dont ils l’aident dans la vie quotidienne, à le laver, à l’habiller, à le déplacer dans la maison et les transferts en voiture pour aller à l’école. J’ai remarqué que même si les parents des enfants MDP trouvent des solutions, le conseil d’un spécialiste chez eux, les rassure. Aussi, la famille et l’environnement sont deux facteurs primordiaux pour que ces jeunes aient une meilleure qualité de vie”.

Tasween Girdhari, Physiotherapy, year 4 student

“I volunteered to go and visit Yogeesh as I study physiotherapy, and this was an opportunity to learn more in my field. It was the first time I was participating in a community service, organized by the PR’s office. It was a most enriching experience. Yogeesh is so inspiring. He is full of potential and his parents focus a lot on his abilities too. While discussing with them, they have learnt more on the importance of exercises and stimulation to enable Yogeesh enjoy the best quality of life despite his handicap. At the same time it has allowed me to discover other job prospects, for example how I can help as a professional in NGOs”.