Memorandum of Understanding between Rodrigues Regional Assembly

Memorandum of Understanding between Rodrigues Regional Assembly and Polytechnics Mauritius

Over the years, the island of Rodrigues has been gearing towards an enhancement to equip its population with competencies and skills that would enable itself to develop in its own specific ways. From Smart Tech to Creative Arts, from Airport to Sports Management, from Agriculture to Ecology, from Nursing to Elderly care, emerging demands are many.

The Higher Technical Education focus adopted by Polytechnics, differentiates it from its sister higher learning institutions and delivers on pressing emerging needs of Rodrigues Island. Polytechnics has drawn the attention of planners and policy makers and this has driven to a collaboration between Rodrigues Regional Assembly and Polytechnics Mauritius Ltd (PML) as the institution which offers a learning methodology that is focused on the holistic development of the individual.  This approach reverberates with Rodrigues in its intention to develop its human capital. In that perspective a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Polytechnics Mauritius, Rodrigues Campus and the Rodrigues Regional Assembly on 15^th December 2022. An MoU that beautifully coincided with the First ever Anniversary of the Institution with Rodrigues but also with the award ceremony of the First Junior Hackathon in the island. The objectives behind this MoU is the setting up of a Polytechnics Mauritius Campus at Citon Donis having as main focus the revamping of the Technical and Vocational Training Sector for the development of a skilled workforce which is required in areas deemed as high importance to the socio-economic development of Rodrigues. This MoU will strengthen the relationship between the Rodrigues Regional Assembly and Polytechnics Mauritius.

Note that the MoU took place on Thursday 15^th December 2022 at Polytechnics Mauritius, Riodrigues Campus in the presence of the Honorable Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun, minister of Education, Tertiary Education, Science and Technology, Mr Johnson Roussety, Chief Commissioner of Rodrigues, Mr Yamal Matabudul, CEO of Polytechnics Mauritius and Professor Theesan Bahorun, Chairperson of Polytechnics Mauritius.

During her Speech, the minister highlighted that the Government has been visionary in recognizing the core mission of connecting vocational to technical education in its role to increase productivity and support emerging and growth industries of the future. And she expressed her satisfaction that Rodrigues has adopted Polytechnics Education to develop higher order skills with a focus on the emerging sectors of the economy. Leela Devi Dookun Luchoomun mentioned that her ministry is currently exploring an earlier adoption of technical and technological education so that students become more aware of the huge array of technical fields and careers.

During that event, the Minister of Education rewarded the young Rodriguans who participated in the first Education of the Junior Hackathon in the island. It consisted of a competition where students were requested to develop a workable prototype in order to solve social and economic issues, in line with Four (4) SDGs most relevant to Rodrigues; namely:

1. Potable Water and Sanitization
2. Clean Energy
3. Industry Innovation and Infrastructure
4. Life Below Water

It the Grand Montagne College who won the first edition of Junior Hackathon. A shield was rewarded to the winning team by the Honourable Vice Prime minister.

On the other hand, the Chief Executive Officer of Polytechnics Mauritius, Mr Yamal Matabudul mentioned that he feels proud and grateful for the unconditional support of the Rodrigues Regional Assembly. “The idea is to grow the activities of Polytechnics Mauritius in Rodrigues by really responding to the demand of the labour market. Polytechnics Mauritius, Rodrigues Campus has a clear and specific vision for the Rodriguan population; to make our young people to grow and to really become productive citizens in order to contribute in the socio-economic development of the island. Through this collaboration, we will equip our young people and anyone wishing to deepen their knowledge and skills to ensure their employability and also to create a category of innovative entrepreneurs through the courses offered by Polytechnics Mauritius” he says.

For the Chairperson of Polytechnics Mauritius, Professor Theesan Bahorun, “this strategic collaboration between the Rodrigues Regional Assembly and Polytechnics Mauritius will not only strengthen our ongoing effort to promote key innovation, but it will also provide a new thrust for facilitation of the activities of the RRA as well. Altogether these actions will strengthen the position of Polytechnics Mauritius”.

Rodrigues Campus

The vision of PML Rodrigues was launched further to the cabinet decision of 28th of May 2021 with the approval to set up a new campus at Citron Donis in Rodrigues. This vision steered to reality with a soft launch of operations since August / September 2021 with the kickstart of courses at Antoinette Prudence Human Resource Center, Malabar and the ICT Centre for Excellence in Port Mathurin.

Having at heart the development of education in Rodrigues, the courses that were chosen to be delivered to Rodrigues were further to different meetings with Rodrigues stakeholders and also a response to the needs of the changing economy of Rodrigues.  The Port, the Airport, the IT sector are some of the island development sectors and the launch of the courses were hence tailormade to ensure that competence was developed to be in line with the need of the emerging needs and to match the vision of the Government with the new projects. As at now, the Polytechnics Mauritius, Rodrigues Campus has nearly reached 200 students and the institution is offering courses in:

• Diploma in Interactive & Digital Media
• Diploma in Cybersecurity
• Diploma in Industrial Logistics
• Diploma in Leisure Management
• Higher Certificate in Coaching Science
• Soft Skills