Minister of Tertiary Education, Science, Research and Technology Rajesh Jeetah has launched the first Business and Research Incubation Centre (BRIC) at the Mauritius Research Council in Ebène.
The BRIC is a connecting and collaborative platform designed to provide the necessary environment that will translate innovative ideas into fruitful businesses.
The setting up of the BRIC follows the Business Angels Forum which was held last year in a bid to bridge the gap between academia and the business world.
According to Minister Jeetah, the BRIC is another step towards the setting up of a science and technology park in Mauritius, highlighting the major role played by the MRC in creating employment opportunities from ideas put forward by academia and other stakeholders.
He called for a change in mindset among young people and urged them to take advantage of the many opportunities offered in various sectors such as telecommunications, communications, tourism, health, among others and to become innovative entrepreneurs.
The BRIC will act as a facilitator in the investigation of the commercial potential of innovative ideas from academia and other sources.
It will encourage tertiary-level students to undergo training at the incubator centre to help them to generate innovative ideas and grow their own businesses.