Local Mauritius

Life skills for pre-voc pupils extended

The award ceremony for 25 trainers who followed the Life Skills Education project in 2010 was held on Thursday at Mauritius Institute of Training and Development (MITD) lecture theatre, Phoenix. The ‘Train the Trainers’ programme was also launched for a second cohort of 25 trainers. Minister of Education, Dr Vasant Bunwaree, minister of Youth and [...]

25 Mar 2011, The Independent Daily

Five new centres for special needs children

Five Special Education Needs (SEN) resource centres will be set up in different regions of the island namely at Flacq, Ferney, Beau Bassin, Riviere des Anguilles and one in the North. This announcement was made by the minister of Education and Human Resources, Dr Vasant Bunwaree on Thursday at an open lecture organised by the [...]

25 Mar 2011, The Independent Daily

No cause for TB scare

On the eve of the World Tuberculosis Day which was observed on Wednesday, four suspected cases of tuberculosis were identified at the University of Mauritius (UoM) which created a temporary sense of panic. The authorities were even considering closing the campus for four days, said an administrative officer. A team of medical officers were dispatched [...]

25 Mar 2011, The Independent Daily

Committee set up to improve civil service

The minister of Civil Service and Administrative Reforms, Ashit Gungah, held a consultative meeting with Permanent Secretaries and Supervising Officers of different ministries on Thursday. “The importance of this meeting is to know what we can do to make the civil service better, thus making it more effective and efficient,” said Gungah. He added, “Hence, [...]

25 Mar 2011, The Independent Daily

UK tightens student visas

Britain unveiled tough new visa rules Tuesday that have got parents in Mauritius worried. HSC results are out and Britain remains one of the prime choices. However, a British Council resource person said genuine Mauritian students with necessary entry requirements need not worry. “Many students with little education background choose poor-quality colleges to get entry [...]

24 Mar 2011, The Independent Daily

Boodhoo challenges police to arrest him

In a letter sent on Wednesday to the police commissioner,former PSM leader Harish Boodhoo has asked the commissioner to arrest him. This was announced at a press briefing held at the Marie Reine de la Paix social centre in Port Louis on Wednesday. Boodhoo explained that this is following the statement made by Dr Navin [...]

24 Mar 2011, The Independent Daily

CEOs discuss good governance

A half-day workshop on corporate governance was held on Wednesday morning at Link Hotel, Ebène. Around 100 chairpersons, including chief executive officers, secretaries and board members of parastatal bodies participated in the workshop that was organised at the initiative of the Office of Public Sector Governance (OPS). The main objective was to sensitise stakeholders on [...]

24 Mar 2011, The Independent Daily

Divorce by mutual consent bill voted without hitch

The Divorce and Judicial Separation Bill was presented by the attorney general Yatin Varma in the National Assembly on March 22 and has been voted without amendment. To recall, divorce by mutual consent existed from 1808 to 1884 in the Civil Code and was removed. It was reintroduced by the Law Reform Commission in December [...]

24 Mar 2011, The Independent Daily

US professor to hold conference for HR managers

A conference led by professor Dave Ulrich will be held on Friday at Link Hotel, Ebène. “The conference aims to bring the latest expertise, knowledge and tools in the field of human resources for the professionals of this field in Mauritius,” said Kiran Dinaran, CEO of Multievents. He said that Dave Ulrich, an American, is [...]

24 Mar 2011, The Independent Daily

Japanese tech pick-ups at low prices

Chinese automobile firm Changfeng Motors is promoting its pick-ups equipped with Japanese technology and the proven Japanese engines. With its traditional appearance, the vehicle inspires a sense of elegance and great flexibility with a classic interior. The diesel version of the model is being sold at a promotional price of Rs 490,000. The Turbo model [...]

24 Mar 2011, The Independent Daily

AHC proposes strategy to offset low tourist arrivals

The Association des Hôtels de Charme (AHC) members say they are not concerned about the low tourism season as they have a strategy to attract more visitors to the island. Speaking at a press conference held at its head office in Port Louis on Wednesday, the AHC announced its plan to target specific tourist clientele, [...]

24 Mar 2011, The Independent Daily

MEF for national employment policy

The Mauritius Employers’ Federation (MEF) held its 49th general meeting on Wednesday at its premises in Ebène. This was an opportunity for MEF president François de Grivel to focus on the need to promote collective bargaining for the proper functioning of enterprises. De Grivel spoke in favour of a National Employment Policy to allow private [...]

24 Mar 2011, The Independent Daily

20 children to undergo heart surgery

Renowned Polish surgeon, professor Michael Woltajick is on a week-long visit to Mauritius to perform surgery on some 20 children who suffer from heart-related diseases. The specialist will operate at the Pamplemouses Cardiac Centre. The operations are complex as the children, aged between one and four years, only weigh about six to 15 kg. These [...]

24 Mar 2011, The Independent Daily

Fortis Clinic Darné opens new Renal Sciences dept

Fortis Clinic Darné at Floreal officially launched its new Renal Sciences department on Wednesday. “The clinic’s goal is to take medical excellence to the next level,” said Dr Simmardeep Singh Gill, who was recently appointed as the new chief operating officer at Fortis Clinic Darné. The new department will be headed by urologist Dr Balbir [...]

24 Mar 2011, The Independent Daily

Four Cases of Tuburcolosis At The University Of Mauritius

Very strange coincidence as World Tuberculosis Day is observed today, it appears that Tubercolosis has resurfaced in Mauritius. Four suspected cases of tuberculosis were identified at the University of Mauritius. Four students were admitted at Pourdre d’Or Hospital, an institution specializing in the treatment of patients with tuberculosis. For now, these cases are treated as

24 Mar 2011, MauritiusHot

PM announces four new campuses

Prime Minister Dr Navin Ramgoolam, who was speaking at the inauguration of the Charles Telfair Institute (CTI) in Moka on Wednesday, recalled that many experts in Mauritius were against Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam’s project of setting up a university in Mauritius. “Experts look at the profitability of a venture and not at the long term vision. [...]

24 Mar 2011, The Independent Daily

Rs 457 million more for the renovation of Plaza, Rose Hill

It was with surprise that the Opposition was informed that Rs 457 million more will be needed to complete the renovation of Plaza, Rose Hill. This sum was announced yesterday at the National Assembly during parliamentary proceedings. The first phase of work at the Plaza has been completed and It cost Rs 87 million.

23 Mar 2011, MauritiusHot

A 20 year old man dies electrocuted at a construction site

The bad series of fatal accidents at work continues. A young worker died electrocuted and another was severely burned after accidentally received an electric shock on a construction site at Arsenal on Tuesday afternoon. Locknathsingh Ramgoolam said Pravesh, 20, died in the accident while he was handling the iron bars on the roof of a

23 Mar 2011, MauritiusHot

Water tariffs to increase in April

An increase in domestic and commercial water tariffs is imminent. To that end a ministerial committee is working on the new tariffs which will most probably come into force next month. Chaired by the deputy prime minister and minister of Energy and Public Utilities, Rashid Beebeejaun, this committee is composed of vice prime minister Xavier-Luc [...]

23 Mar 2011, The Independent Daily

MedPoint in Parliament

MedPoint clinic was the subject of intense debate in National Assembly on Tuesday. In reply to the private notice question, Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam rejected the idea of setting up a select committee to investigate government acquisition of the clinic. He gave three reasons. There was an on going inquiry by the Independent Commission Against [...]

23 Mar 2011, The Independent Daily