Site Visits
Site visit to Prodesign Innovation Ltd on 18th November 2022
Minister Darsanad Balgobin, the Chairperson of the MRIC, Dr Kaviraj Sharma Sukon, and other personalities paid a visit to Prodesign Innovation Ltd at Phoenix to take stock of innovative and sustainable products being developed. The Minister commended the Prodesign Group for putting in place several innovative projects through funds from the MRIC, namely (1) An aeroponic indoor urban vertical farm using advanced micro-controlled environment developed under MRIC’s Fast Track Innovation Initiatives Scheme; (2) the Application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) for the improvement of the construction industry under MRIC’s Pole of Innovation Grant Scheme; and (3) an Online Marketplace using Big Data and AI analytics to improve procurement process for construction projects under MRIC’s Proof-of-Concept Scheme. The ICT Minister also lauded the enterprise for designing the first electric scooter in the country.
Site visit to Indika Pharma Ltd on 15th September 2022
Honourable Minister Balgobin conducted a site visit to Indika Pharma Ltd in Ferney, in the presence of Professor Theesan Bahorun, and the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Indika Pharma Ltd, Mr Fabien Boullé. In November 2017, Axonova Pharma Ltd and the University of Mauritius benefited from the MRIC’s Biotechnology Research and Innovation Grant scheme to conduct a study on pharmacological screening to assess the neuroprotective and therapeutic potentials of Mauritian medicinal plants. A start-up ‘Indika Pharma Ltd’ emanated from this project. Indika Pharma Ltd has been conducting research and successfully transforming local medicinal plants which are proven sources of nutraceuticals such as moringa, citronella, rosemary and basilica into comestible, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products for both local and international consumers. Nutraceuticals products include vitamins, herbal remedies, dietary supplements, and medically formulated foods, and are known to play a pivotal role in preventative healthcare. They also help to address risks associated with chronic disorders such as diabetes, cancer and Alzheimer.
Visit at JSS Academy by MRIC Staff on 14th September 2022
Staff of the MRIC paid a visit to the JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research in Phoenix to take stock of the infrastructure and facilities available for the conduct of research and development and to explain the different funding schemes of the MRIC to the academic staff.
Site visit to ABC Group - S.W. Bio Processors on 26th August 2022
The Minister of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation, Mr. Darsanand Balgobin, the Executive Director of the MRIC, Prof. Theesan Bahorun, representatives of the Ministry and the MRIC conducted a site visit at Oriental Foods Ltd in Cascavelle. The Honourable Minister expressed satisfaction as regards the innovative project being spearheaded by the ABC Group - S.W. Bio Processors, that of producing seaweed-based products. The project was approved under the Pole of Innovation Grant Scheme offered by the MRIC and will boost the Mauritian economy by developing the seaweed industry on a commercial scale for both the local market and export purposes, and by creating employment opportunities. The Managing Director of the ABC Group, Mr. Vincent Ah–Chuen, he pointed out that the Group, has obtained from the MRIC under the Pole of Innovation Grant Scheme, a grant of Rs.8.9 million, for the production of innovative Seaweed-based products. He further added this private-public partnership will span over a period of three years, and involves the collaboration of the University of Mauritius and the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security.
By: Dr R Jeetah-Rampadaruth