The Ministry of Tertiary Education, Science and Research is organising the National Research Week from 14 to 18 April 2025 under the umbrella theme "Uniting Research, Industry and Innovation". The Mauritius Research and Innovation Council (MRIC) has been entrusted with the responsibility of coordinating the event with a theme-based approach for each institution. This event aims at fostering a dynamic platform for collaboration and knowledge-sharing among researchers, academics, higher education institutions (HEIs), NGOs, public and private sectors across Mauritius. The goal is to highlight the critical role of research in driving economic growth, addressing sustainability challenges and positioning Mauritius as a leading knowledge hub in the region. By showcasing the latest research innovations and facilitating networking opportunities, the National Research Week aims to increase the visibility of Mauritius as a destination for high-quality higher education and research. The event will also serve as a catalyst for encouraging transdisciplinary research for a resilient future, promoting research excellence, strengthening institutional collaborations, and aligning HEIs with global standards and expectations. 

Day 1 of the National Research Week 2025 will be hosted by the University of Mauritius (UoM) on Monday 14 April 2025.

The Organising Committee therefore welcomes submissions under the Main Theme: “Innovating Sustainability: Synergies for a Resilient Future”.
The topics covered include the following:

Blue Economy

• Eco-tourism and sustainable fisheries;
• Decent work and fair wages in the blue economy sector;
• Sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, and ocean-based industries;
• Water security and Access: Addressing disparities in access to clean and safe water;
• Economic impact of water pricing and governance policies;
• Community participation in water conservation strategies.

Green Economy

• Sustainable and climate-smart agriculture;
• Technological innovation with social equity in the agro-industry;
• Sustainable value chains and fair-trade models in agriculture;
• Climate change impacts on small-scale farmers and food security.

Circular Economy

• Emphasis on business innovation/Social entrepreneurship;
• Renewable energy (solar, wind, hydro);
• Sustainable urban planning; 
• Strategies for reducing carbon footprints in manufacturing and transportation.

Silver Economy

• Elderly Consumer Behaviour and Market Demand; 
• Silver Entrepreneurship and Policies to support older individuals as entrepreneurs; 
• Health Economics;
• Health Technologies and Digital Inclusion for the Elderly; 
• Retirement and Financial Planning: 
• Aging in Place and Housing Solutions.

Cultural Industry/Economy

• Arts and Culture as drivers of socio-economic development;
• Sustainable creative industries.

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

Members of academic staff, students (including those having benefited or benefiting from research funding from UoM, local or international institutions), researchers from other Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and collaborative partners are invited to submit abstracts for presentations in a TED Talk-style format, with each presentation limited to 10 minutes. Stakeholders from private and public sectors, including alumni are also welcome to participate in this endeavour.

Registered MPhil/PhD students are also invited to participate actively in this event.

Abstracts, strictly as per the format and related to the event’s Theme and Subthemes, should be submitted using the following link by Monday 31 March 2025 at latest:

 https://forms.gle/T966SuDVgZjj8hKU6

 An abstract should not exceed one A4 size page and should be in MS Word format. Kindly ensure that your abstract is read and approved by all co-authors before submission.

All Abstracts will be peer-reviewed and checked for plagiarism. All corresponding authors will be notified of acceptance at latest by Friday 04 April 2025. All Abstracts should be formatted as per the template and submitted via the above link.