UoM, CIT Sign MoU for Collaboration in Research, Teaching

The event was attended by minister of Foreign Affairs Arvin Boolell, minister of Tertiary Education Rajesh Jeetah, Australia High Commissioner Sandra Vegting and CIT executive director development Ian Drayton.

Minsiter Jeetah underlined that the MoU is in line with the vision of the government to target knowledge, innovation and foster economic growth in order to help the island gain a competitive edge.

 “We want to widen access to tertiary education to a considerable number of students and several international universities have set up shop on the island,” he added.

Jeetah announced that a research centre in collaboration with Oxford College for diabetes will be set up on the island as well. “Three new campuses will also be set up on the island to cater to 8,000 students,” he said.

Foreign Affairs minister Dr Arvin Boolell recalled that the chancellor of UoM, Sir Ramesh Jeewoolall informed him of the opportunity to sign a MoU with a reputed university in Australia.

 “I told the chancellor that we need to grasp the opportunity and I am glad that we are welcoming CIT which is a premiere institution in Australia,” he said.

Boolell emphasised: “Very often, we sign MoUs and we tend to forget our commitment, but there is a need to have a stern look at our undertaking. We must ensure that we honour our commitments since there is a high need to undertake research and development that will benefit our students.”

Drayton said that both universities are looking to identify common objectives and mutual understanding through the MoU.