Africa-Press – Mauritius. A two-day Policy Dialogue Forum on ‘Integrated Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education and Play-Based Pedagogies’, organised by the Ministry of Education, Tertiary Education, Science and Technology in collaboration with the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA), opened, this morning, at the Caudan Arts Centre in Port Louis.
The Chief Technical Officer of the Ministry of Education, Tertiary Education, Science and Technology, Mr Ricaud G. Danyel Auckbur; the Director of Tertiary Education and Scientific Research Division of the Ministry of Education, Tertiary Education, Science and Technology, Dr Kiran Bhujun; resource persons from the ADEA, Mrs Mary Wakhaya Sichangi and Mr Gregory Njogu; and other personalities were present.
In his address, Mr Auckbur underscored the commitment of the ADEA to advancing education through its Inter-Country Quality Node (ICQN) on Mathematics and Science Education. He highlighted the ICQN’s role as a continental forum that convened policymakers, partners, and stakeholders to enhance educational capacity and awareness across Africa, focusing particularly on Mathematics and Science Education.
Highlighting the pivotal role of science and technology in Africa’s development, Mr Auckbur emphasised that Applied Sciences were crucial for the Continent’s future growth, given the pervasive influence of technology in today’s world. He stressed the importance of sharing knowledge and ideas to prepare Mauritian students for careers in science and technology, citing initiatives such as the establishment of Polytechnics Mauritius Ltd and the Institute of Technical Education and Technology, as well as the introduction of the Technology Education Stream and the Higher Education Pro, as critical components for fostering economic development.
Mr Auckbur further noted the dynamic nature of science and technology, advocating for widespread scientific literacy among children in response to the evolving technological landscape. He, thus, mentioned the Forum’s role in promoting African collaboration to enhance expertise and innovation in these vital fields, underscoring the importance of this shared effort in advancing science and technology across the Continent.
For her part, Mrs Sichangi spoke about the critical role of STEM Education in addressing global challenges, highlighting its alignment with key thematic areas of the ICQNs such as innovation, digital literacy, and environmental sustainability. “The ICQNs envision empowering countries through comprehensive STEM Education programmes that not only equip students with technical skills but also foster creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities, essential for sustainable development in the 21st century,” she added.
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