Africa-Press – Mauritius. An award of certificate ceremony was held, on Thursday 13 July 2023, at the Open University of Mauritius (OUM) in Réduit, for 21 students who have successfully completed the e-VidyaBharati and e-AarogyaBharati (e-VBAB) project through scholarships offered by the Government of India to enable them to pursue Undergraduate and Postgraduate programmes online in various reputed Indian Universities.
The Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Education, Tertiary Education, Science and Technology, Mrs Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun; the High Commissioner of the Republic of India to Mauritius, Mrs K.
Nandini Singla; the Director-General of the OUM, Dr Kaviraj Sharma Sukon; the Additional Secretary, Central and West Africa Division of the Ministry of External Affairs of India, Mr Sevala Naik Mude; and other personalities were present at the ceremony.
In her address, VPM Dookun-Luchoomun indicated that Mauritius and India have always placed a premium on education adding that the e-VBAB scholarship scheme is a testimony to both nations’ unwavering commitment to investing in the youth’s future as human capital.
The e-VBAB project, she underscored, is a ground-breaking one offering an unparalleled opportunity for Mauritian students to pursue higher education in Indian institutions of repute.
“It also ensures that our students can contribute to diverse sectors and drive innovation across various industries by focusing on a wide range of fields as it is a transformative endeavour that seeks to empower learners through education, technology, and international collaboration,” the VPM added.
In addition, Mrs Dookun-Luchoomun highlighted that the e-VBAB project leverages the power of technology to foster global connections and allow learners to access lectures, study materials, and interactive sessions from reputed Indian faculties and institutions through dedicated e-learning platforms.
“Through the e-VBAB Network Project, a lot of cultural exchange and international understanding have been encouraged through a diverse and vibrant academic environment and by engaging with Indian scholars, fellow students, and different cultures, our students have broadened their global perspectives,” she observed.
Furthermore, VPM Dookun-Luchoomun emphasised that the e-VBAB project aligns closely with Government’s vision to promote an inclusive and knowledge-based society.
By investing in education and providing equal opportunities to all, we aim to create a generation of skilled and well-informed individuals who can drive our nation’s development and prosperity, she added.
Speaking of bilateral relations with India, the Vice-Prime Minister underlined that India has had a long history of cooperation and solidarity with Africa, dating back to the anti-colonial and anti-apartheid struggles and is based on mutual respect, equality, and demand-driven assistance.
India, she stated, has always been by our side where education is concerned and we have a history of a passel of Mauritian students who went on to be the alumni of prestigious Indian Universities.
“Many of them have occupied and continue to occupy key positions and enjoy an equally prestigious status in their professional occupations,” Mrs Dookun-Luchoomun pointed out. On this score, she thanked the Government of India for its unwavering support and commitment to this national endeavour.
“Through the e-VBAB project, India has invested a lot in scholarships, infrastructure, and technology to ensure its success in Mauritius and this educational collaboration between our nations testifies to the deep-rooted friendship and shared values that bind us together,” Mrs Dookun-Luchoomun remarked.
For his part, the Additional Secretary, Central and West Africa Division of the Ministry of External Affairs of India, Mr Sevala Naik Mude, highlighted that India remains among the top five destinations for African students travelling abroad for higher education.
“Currently some 25,000 African students are studying in 500 public and private universities across India and the numbers should grow in future with increased cooperation between India and Africa,” he pointed out.
As regards the e-VBAB project, he remarked that what distinguishes the e-VBAB project is that it is completely online and African students are pursuing their higher education from Indian Universities in the comfort of their homes.
Furthermore, Mr Mude indicated that so far, 22 African countries have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to join the e-VBAB programme. “In the last three years, some 14,000 scholarships have been offered under the project out of which over 500 scholarships have been offered to the students of Mauritius,” he said.
The Additional Secretary also outlined some of the benefits obtained by students through this project, namely: the entire programme fee is covered under the scholarship; students can access the study material at their convenience anytime, anywhere and on any device; and the degrees offered are approved by the University Grants Commission.
Finally, Mr Mude underlined that India is proud of its long-lasting educational ties with Africa which will carry on through the tele-education under the e-VBAB project which offers a good opportunity to the students of Mauritius and other African countries to avail a recognised degree from premier Indian Universities. About the e-VBAB project
The Government of India offers fully funded scholarships to students from partner African countries through the e-VBAB Network Project to pursue online Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Diploma, and Certificate programmes from various reputed Indian Universities and Institutes in several disciplines including: computer application, business administration and commerce, healthcare, tourism, and humanities and arts, amongst others.
This project is the second phase of the Pan African e-Network Project which was conceived by the former President of India, late Dr Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam.
Following the success of the first Pan African e-Network Project, the Government of India launched a technologically upgraded version of it to service African students for five years.
The Open University of Mauritius is the Learning Centre for the e-VBAB project in Mauritius and as such it acts as a link between the Indian institutions and the Mauritian students who will apply for the scholarships offered by the Government of India.
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