Launching and Showcasing Event of the MRIC 

The Launching and Showcasing Event was held on Thursday 31st August 2023 in the Amphitheatre, Telecom Campus (2nd Floor), The Core Building, Ebene. 

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Honourable Minister D Balgobin, the Chief Guest, launched the Second Call for Proposals under the Innovation Boost Grant for the implementation of short-term and medium-term projects (CFP-IBG2) emanating from the National Roadmap for Research and Innovation 2023-2027 via a short video.

 

During the event, progress made by the MRIC on the implementation of its Strategic Plan was touched upon.  

A new Follow-up and Facilitation Unit (FFU) has been set up at the MRIC as from July 2023. One of the responsibilities of the FFU is to help with the dissemination of completed projects. As part of the first initiative of the FFU,  

• Eleven success stories and/or ongoing projects funded by the MRIC under six thematic areas were showcased by respective project leaders via TED-style talks of 5-10 minutes. 

• A1 posters of seven projects were also showcased during the event. A short video of the showcasing of the posters is in preparation and will be posted on the MRIC website and social media pages.

 

The 11 projects that were showcased were: 

• Practical Training in Product Development Methodology to boost innovation in Artisanal Manufacturing by Mrs Elizabeth de Marcy Chelin-Chabert, My Pop Up Store 

Thematic Area: Social and Grassroots Innovation 

• Immersive Discovery: 3D Virtual Visit of a National Heritage Site by Mr Thamalassen Sungaralingum, Hinode Smart Solutions Ltd 

Thematic Area: Travel, Tourism and Entertainment Innovation 

• Pharmacological screening to assess neuroprotective and therapeutic potential of Mauritian medicinal plants and Consortium for Marine Innovative Therapeutics (COMIT) by Dr Fabien Boulle and Dr Shameem Fawdar-Bahadoor, Axonova Ltd 

Thematic Area: Health and Wellness Innovation 

• Mauritius repurposed: The Covid period as an opportunity for product development, waste reduction and restored dignity by Mrs Meenakshee Kuntz, The Good Shop 

Thematic Area: Blue and Green Innovation 

• Social Innovation Lab - Empowering Women-Led Innovation through Design Thinking Skills Labs by Mrs Djemillah Mourade Peerbux, Ripple Association 

Thematic Area: Social and Grassroots Innovation 

• Everbloom by Mr Vishesh Prabal Gangaram, Everbloom Ltd 

Thematic Area: Blue and Green Innovation 

• MSIRI/MRIC Pole of Innovation for Biotechnology by Dr Yogesh Parmessur, Mauritius Sugarcane Industry Research Institute 

Thematic Area: Blue and Green Innovation 

• Value added products from Morinda Citrifolia seeds by Associate Professor (Dr) Vidushi S Neergheen, University of Mauritius 

Thematic Area: Health and Wellness Innovation 

• Intelligent platform for online learning by Mr Djameel Soobadar, Restit Ltee 

Thematic Area: IT, Emerging and Enabling Innovation 

• Facilitation, management and tracking of micro donations to social and/or environmental programmes using a technological application by Mrs Navinee Ramnial, Ecosis (Mauritius) Ltd 

Thematic Area: Financial Innovation 

• Investigation of the structural properties and performance of agro waste fibre reinforced concrete and Construction & Demolition Waste (C&D Waste) recycled aggregates as an alternative to road base & engineering fill materials by Dr Mahen Conhyea, Gamma Materials Ltd  

Thematic Area: Blue and Green Innovation

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More than 100 guests attended the event and consisted of potential applicants, industry players, government officials, stakeholders of the thematic areas and academia. Positive feedback was received from attendees present and the event was covered by the MBC, GIS and press. 

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Our thanks goes to Mauritius Telecom who kindly provided the venue for the event.