We all know that our economic progress is bound to meet with new and emerging challenges. Mauritius needs, more than ever, its human resources, their competencies and commitment to steer its sustained development and to provide a better quality of life for all.
The President of the Republic, Dr Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, made this statement yesterday at a reception in honour of the 2017 Higher School Certificate laureates at the State House, Reduit. The Prime Minister, Minister of Home Affairs, External Communications and National Development Unit, Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, the Minister of Education and Human Resources, Tertiary Education and Scientific Research, Mrs Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun, as well as other personalities, families of the laureates and their rectors were present on this occasion.
On this occasion, the President highlighted that achievement at this level is a starting point, not an end in itself, and is significant as this qualification now opens many windows to the laureates. She urged them to continue their quest for knowledge and to discover their own unique ways to contribute to the Mauritian society.
Dr Gurib-Fakim also underscored that as a country, everyone should be concerned with the result of the latest report of the Harvard Business Review, where Mauritius ranks 5th in the world and first in Africa in terms of brain drain, losing some 41% of its graduates. She thus pointed out that whatever path the laureates take in their lives, they must always find time to give something back to their community and to their country.
For his part, the Prime Minister underlined that the success of laureates marks the culmination of their hard work, dedication and perseverance. He added that nowadays, the whole world is placing a premium on education and that in Mauritius its greatest heritage is the intellect of its people and its educated population.
Prime Minister Jugnauth also emphasised that Government is relying enormously on education to address the challenges of society. After their studies at tertiary level, Mauritius will certainly need the newly acquired competencies and entrepreneurial spirit of laureates so as to be more competitive in the interconnected world, and as technology has created a borderless world, one can also contribute to the betterment of the country without having to move physically, stated the Prime Minister.
The Minister of Education and Human Resources, Tertiary Education and Scientific Research, Mrs Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun, for her part, exhorted laureates and other students to consult the priority list compiled by the Tertiary Education Commission regarding the new emerging sectors that will offer a rich potential for the future. She pointed out that Mauritius will need new high level skills and competencies so as to continue to achieve a high level of economic growth and social development.
Source: Government of Mauritius