UTM Joins 10 Regional Partners to Launch New Blue Innovation Virtual Offices

A major international effort to equip the next generation of researchers and entrepreneurs with the skills to drive a sustainable “blue economy” has taken a significant step forward following a high-profile workshop at the University of Technology, Mauritius (UTM).

The HEI Blue Workshop, held on Thursday 29 January, brought together students, academics, and international partners to address the sustainable development of marine resources across the South-West Indian Ocean.

The initiative is part of the HEI Blue project, a consortium led by the University of Alicante in Spain and funded by the European Commission’s Erasmus+ programme.

With a global budget of €796,572, (MUR 40,300,000 Approx.) the project has allocated approximately €54,555 (MUR 2,760,000) specifically to UTM to bolster local expertise.

Bridging the Skills Gap

The project’s primary objective is to develop specialized competencies among students and educators.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Higher Education, Kaviraj Sukon, noted that while the oceans are deep, the “skills challenges are deeper still.”

He emphasized that the project would provide the necessary tools for the region to meet its economic needs.

The Minister of Blue Economy and Fisheries, Arvin Boolell, officially opened the workshop, calling for “concrete action” and realism.

He likened the potential of the blue economy to the previous successful expansion of the Mauritian economy into Information Technology.

Technical Innovation and Training

The UTM team, led by project coordinator Ajit Kumar Gopee alongside Sandhya Armoogum and Loovesh Sharma Ramwodin, is playing a pivotal role in the technical rollout. Key deliverables of the project include:

• Blue Innovation Virtual Offices (BIVOs): Dedicated hubs to support innovation and entrepreneurship.
• Emerging Technologies: Training in the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Machine Learning applied to marine sectors.
• Entrepreneurial Boot Camps: Intensive training sessions for students and researchers.

The UTM team has already travelled to Madagascar, Seychelles, Spain, and Portugal to provide technical support and “train the trainers.”

International Cooperation

The HEI Blue consortium represents a broad alliance between Europe and the Indian Ocean, including:

• European Partners: Universities of Algarve (Portugal) and Oldenburg (Germany).
• Regional Partners: Universities of Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar, and the Comores.
• Institutional Support: The Indian Ocean Commission and CAP Business Mauritius.

Jeanine Yeuny, Erasmus+ Project Manager, highlighted the broader opportunities available through the programme, including international mobility and joint Master’s degrees in Europe, urging students to take advantage of these professional and cultural exchanges.

Professor Kavi Kumar Khedo, Deputy Director-General of UTM, concluded by reinforcing the necessity of this regional cooperation to ensure students are prepared for the evolving demands of the maritime sector.

Source: l’Express