Following the
visit of Prof. V.S. Ramamurthy, Secretary, Department of
Science & Technology to Mauritius during 3-6 September,
2001, and his discussion meetings with both the Mauritius
Research Council and the University of Mauritius, significant
steps have been undertaken on the following :
1. A draft Programme of Cooperation in Science and Technology
between India and Mauritius has been worked in close consultations
between the Department of Science & Technology and the
Mauritius Research Council respectively. The draft is pending
examination by the Mauritius side and is expected to be
concluded shortly. Areas include among others information
technology, biotechnology, intellectual property rights,
to name a few. A separate draft POC addressing to specific
field of Biotechnology is in the process of being prepared
(being coordinated by DBT);
2. Strengthening of the existing Mauritius Radio Telescope
facility set up with the Indian Institute of Astrophysics
and RRI on the Indian side and University of Mauritius,
by way of providing –
(a) Additional powerful computer (Pentium IV 2 GHz);
(b) Exabyte type drive for imaging;
(c) A laser colour printer and a high sensitivity scanner
for maps.
2.1 It is also proposed to set up a 25 M dish or a few
10 M dishes and a cluster of Computers for parallel computing,
in addition to providing V-SAT facility with a dedicated
high capacity link line from MRT to University and Mauritius
and RRI. Actions are under way to develop a project incorporating
these facets in the form of a project document.
3. Oganization of an Awareness Workshop on Intellectual
Property Rights in Mauritius –
An awareness Workshop was organized in Port Louis during
September 2002 with participation of a 5-member Indian team
of experts, and 40 Mauritius S&T personnel representing
the academia, research laboratories, private and public
sector industries and business community. A specific proposal
prepared in consultation with the Mauritius Research Council
has been conveyed to the Mauritius side. Mauritius is clearly
thinking towards the success of “Awareness Workshop”
and looking for guidance from India. Efforts are on way
to organize this Workshop during June 2002 with participation
of a 5-7 member Indian delegation representing the Patent
Attorneys in various subject areas of interest to Mauritius
side.
4. Development of a Micro and Small industries through Skill
& Knowledge Based Enterprises in Mauritius –
This proposal has been engaging the attention of National
Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board
(NSTEDB) in DST and a specific proposal on the basis of
the interest expressed by the Mauritius side earlier has
been prepared and conveyed to the Mauritius side. The proposal
entails implementation of the project in two phases, Phase
I covering training of Mauritius personnel by Indian experts
in Mauritius; and Phase II would cover providing expert
assistance to 10 Teachers who would act as Entrepreneurs,
Motivators, Entrepreneur Consultants to conduct the training
from time to time for the students of the University and
new Entrepreneurs for future activities. The course contents
would cover, among others, (i) to assess the Entrepreneurial
opportunities, conduct the market surveys, resources mobilization,
resource financing, technology management, etc.
The Mauritius Research Council have since informed that
the Phase –I of the project will themselves implement,
and assistance will be sought on Phase-II of the proposal.
For further details, please contact:
On India side
C R MURTY, Director/ Scientist’F’
International Division, Department of Science & Technology
(DST)
Technology Bhawan, New Delhi-110016
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