Towards Cooperation Between Universities and the Private Sector

A budget of €796,572, including €54,555 allocated to the University of Technology of Mauritius (UTM), has been dedicated to the HEI Blue project, funded by the European Commission through the Erasmus+ program.

The objective is to promote the blue economy, support maritime entrepreneurship, and strengthen cooperation between universities and the private sector in the southwest Indian Ocean region. As part of this initiative, UTM hosted the HEI Blue Workshop on January 29th, bringing together students, researchers, academics, and local and international partners. Participants were able to exchange ideas on how to sustainably develop the blue economy and acquire new skills in this sector.

The project is led by the University of Alicante (Spain) and brings together several European and regional institutions: the University of the Algarve (Portugal), the University of Oldenburg (Germany), as well as the universities of Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar, and Comoros. The Indian Ocean Commission and CAP Business Mauritius are also part of the consortium. HEI Blue is being implemented in these four countries.

One of the project’s objectives is to train students, teachers, and researchers in the professions and skills related to the blue economy. To this end, the project includes the creation of educational materials, the organization of entrepreneurial boot camps, and the establishment of Blue Innovation Virtual Offices (BIVOs), virtual platforms to support innovation and entrepreneurship.

The UTM team, composed of Ajit Kumar Gopee, Sandhya Armoogum, and Loovesh Sharma Ramwodin, plays a central role. This team supports partners in setting up BIVOs (Broadband Initiatives) and trains teachers in the use of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and the Internet of Things. The team has already traveled to Madagascar, the Seychelles, Spain, and Portugal to provide technical and pedagogical support.

During the ceremony, the Minister of Higher Education, Kaviraj Sukon, emphasized that “if the oceans are deep, the skills challenges are even deeper.” For his part, the Minister of Agro-Industry and the Blue Economy, Arvin Boolell, called for transforming projects into concrete actions to make the blue economy a key sector for growth.

The Erasmus+ Project Manager, Jeanine Yeuny, presented the international mobility programs and joint master’s degrees, offering students the opportunity to study in Europe and enrich their academic journey.