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Editorial
Prof. Theesan Bahorun, G.O.S.K
Executive Director of MRIC
Welcome to our online newsletter.
At the heart of innovation lies a commitment to transformation—a bold vision to not only adapt but to lead. At the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council (MRIC), we are driven by this shared belief, which informs our strategic interventions, partnerships and investments in establishing a resilient, knowledge-based and inclusive innovation ecosystem for Mauritius and the region.
This newsletter is a vibrant testimony to the scope, scale and level of activity of our current work. From the landmark Assises de la Recherche et de l’Innovation 2.0 in both Mauritius and Rodrigues, we have created a national and
regional dialogue on cutting-edge technological frontiers driving actionable roadmaps in key sectors — health, finance, creative industries, precision engineering, blue and green innovation.
Our active funding ecosystem – through initiatives like the Innovation Boost Grant and the Collaborative Research and Innovation Grant Scheme – has enabled a diverse range of local talents to translate their revolutionary, smart agriculture, circular economy platforms and health-tech ideas into practical solutions. These are not simply projects; they are components of our future economy.
Through international collaboration frameworks such as Horizon Europe and TWENex, and regional forums like the International Science, Research and Innovation Conference (ISRI) and the Regional Innovation Challenge, MRIC is asserting Mauritius’s role as a research and innovation node in the Indian Ocean. These platforms have raised voices from Mauritius to Comoros, and from Seychelles to Madagascar — showing that island states can lead on change, sustainability and innovation.
Our visibility at global forums such as Global Innovation Index and Global Startup Ecosystem Index, indicates that our innovation journey is gathering momentum internationally. Furthermore, receiving the Global Distinguished Innovator Award and the STEMEX Silver Award affirms MRIC’s leadership in inculcating innovation culture via competitions, capacity building and public involvement.
Initiatives like the National Innovator Hall of Fame embody our mission to democratize innovation—giving voice, visibility, and support to grassroots innovators, SMEs, public sector actors, and the youth. We believe that inclusive innovation is not an aspiration—it is a necessity.
Looking forward, we are strongly committed to: connecting research to its real-world use, linking policy and practice, and fostering an ecosystem where creativity, cooperation, and curiosity meet. Together, with our national and regional allies, we continue to navigate a trajectory where innovation becomes our common culture and our collective capital for sustainable development.
Let us continue to invent, inspire, and innovate—together.
Prof. Theesan Bahorun, PhD, G.O.S.K
Executive Director
Mauritius Research and Innovation Council (MRIC)