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The National Innovator Hall of Fame has been developed by the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council to recognise and reward the contribution of local innovators in sprouting development. The importance of rewarding innovation has been recognised internationally through the inception of various innovation awards. It is widely agreed that innovation and intrinsic human motivation for creation go hand in hand.

 

Thus, the objectives of the National Innovator Hall of Fame are to:

• Recognise and reward local outstanding innovators

• Fuel innovation and creativity among the local people

• Gauge the level of innovation and creativity in Republic of Mauritius

• Catalyse the innovation culture in the younger generation

 

The Innovation had to be directly related to the Republic of Mauritius.

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The 1st edition of the National Innovation Hall of Fame was held in 2023. Given the positive feedback of this edition, it was recommended that this competition be held biennially.

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There are five (5) categories in this competition: SME, Individual, Public Organisations, NGO and Rodrigues and the Outer Islands. For each category, the cash prize for the winner is MUR 75,000 and MUR 35,000 for the runner-up. For the Special Innovator- Rodrigues and the Outer Islands, the cash prize for the winner is MUR 50,000 and MUR 25,000 for the runner-up.

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The competition was launched on the 18th of February 2025 and prospective participants had been allocated around 2 months for submission of their online application. After the deadline, which was the 25th of April 2025, a total of 81 valid applications were received. An administrative screening was conducted to assess completeness of applications. Candidates whose ideas satisfied the specified criteria proceeded to the Pre-selection stage. In this stage, applications having met all specified criteria were screened for their merit. A total of 32 applications were retained for the next phase of the competition, which was the – Presentation and Interview Phase. During this phase, pre-selected applicants in each category have been given the opportunity to present their achievements to the jury panel. This panel was comprised of 3 experts. Another jury member from Rodrigues was co-opted for the auditions in Rodrigues. After this stage, jury members have proceeded towards selection of winner and runner-up for each category. This was announced during an award ceremony which was held on the 27th of June 2025.

 

Names of winners:

Best National Innovator - Public Organisations

1st prize:

Ministry of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation- Computer Emergency Response Team of Mauritius (CERT-MU)

• Dr Kaleem Usmani

• Mrs Jennita Rao Appanah Appayya

• Mr Vijaye Gopaul

 

2nd prize:

University of Mauritius- ICT department

• Dr Sameerchand Pudaruth

• Dr Sheeba Armoogum

• Mr Abdallah Peerally

• Dr Aneerav Sukhoo

• Dr Nirmal Kumar Betchoo

 

Best National Innovator - Non-Governmental Organisation

1st prize:

Terre de Paix Fondation pour l'Enfance

• Mr Alain Muneean, Director

• Mrs Patricia Yue, Assistant Director

 

Address: Camp Creole, Albion

2nd prize:

Diabetes Safeguard

• Mrs Sumookhee Balloo, Director

• Mr Nevin Poonmany, Administrative Officer

 

Best National Innovator - SME

1st Prize:

Léon l'artisan savonnier

• Mr Thierry Léon, Maitre savonnier

• Mrs Shérina Léon, Maitre savonniere

 

2nd Prize:

Finance Club Ltd

• Mr Dhan Toocaram, Head - Marketing & Business Growth

• Mr Jerome Benoit, Manager, Product Development

 

Best National Innovator - Individual

1st Prize:

Vincent Ah Chuen

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2nd Prize:

Alain d'Espaignet

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Jury’s Special Prize

Gavin Poonoosamy

 

Best Innovator- Rodrigues and the Outer Islands

1st Prize:

France Coeur Pierre Louis

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2nd Prize:

Walali Company Limited