Message from the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academia)

The vision of the University of Mauritius (UoM) is to be one of the leading international tertiary education providers and a research-led University and one of the strategic directions identified to achieve this vision is 'Excellence in Research and Innovation'. At the UoM therefore, staff and students strive to make a difference through innovative and multidisciplinary research. The research effort at the UoM is strongly supported by its pool of talented researchers who are recognised nationally and internationally and the work of its postgraduate research students.

The Research Week has been held annually at the UoM since 2007 and it is part of the University's ongoing effort to foster its research mission by providing a forum to the researchers in all fields of study to disseminate and share their work and findings. The Research Week is in fact a key event in the Calendar of Activities of the UoM since it is the annual celebration of the research undertaken at all levels by staff and students at the UoM. It is also a means to acknowledge the contribution and support provided to the researchers by the UoM itself through the Office of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academia) and the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Planning and Resources), the Tertiary Education Institution (TEC), the Mauritius Research Council (MRC) and other External Funding Agencies.

Given that this year marks the 50 years of existence of the UoM, the Research Theme for the Research Week 2015 is '50 Years and Forward: Advancing Research and Innovation'. As for the previous Editions, this 8th Edition also focuses on showcasing the research undertaken at the UoM through various events to be attended by staff, students and stakeholders. Each Faculty and Centre will have its own research day. Exhibition of posters, oral presentations and discussions will be held during the whole week.

Following online submission of abstracts and consideration by the respective Faculty/ Centre Research Week Organising Committees, 177 abstracts have been accepted for oral presentations and poster sessions namely 27 from the Faculty of Agriculture, 19 from the Faculty of Engineering, 35 from the Faculty of Law and Management, 9 from the Faculty of Ocean Studies, 29 from the Faculty of Science, 53 from the Faculty of Social Studies and Humanities and 5 from the Centre for Innovative and Lifelong learning.

I would therefore like to thank all participants as well as the UoM Research Week Organising Committee and the Faculty/Centre Research Week Organising Committees for their valuable contribution to this 8th Edition of the Research Week.

I wish you all a successful and productive Research Week 2015!

Professor A H Subratty