Republic of Mauritius- International seminar focuses on challenges of disruptive technologies

The Minister of Technology, Communication and Innovation, Mr Yogida Sawmynaden, the President of the Institute of Engineers Mauritius (IEM), Mr Raj Prayag, the President of the Institution of Engineers India (IEI), Mr T.M Gunaraja, and the Vice-President of the World Federation of Engineering Organisation (WFEO), Mr Martin Manuhwa, were also present.

The event, organised by the IEM in collaboration with the IEI, the Federation of Engineering Institutions of Asia and Pacific Committee on ICT, and the University of Mauritius, is being held in the context of the 100th anniversary of the IEI. The seminar will provide an in-depth insight of disruptive technologies, which displace an established technology or a ground-breaking product, like Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things or 3D Printing, to create a completely new industry.

In his address, Minister Sawmynaden recalled that engineers across the world, irrespective of their fields, have been instrumental in shaping the society and have been at the forefront of development. With global challenges on various fronts namely ecological, environmental, health, aging population, the importance of engineers to come up with innovative ideas is now more fundamental, he indicated.

Speaking about disruptive technologies, he stated that according to the World Bank, they are quickly unlocking innovative solutions to complex challenges across a broad range of sectors from health and education to transport, disaster risk management, or agriculture in both developed and developing countries.

The ministry, Mr Sawmynaden further mentioned, has embraced the use of digital technology which has revolutionised the way Government works and connects to the citizens to provide better services and opportunities, and to build a better future. He highlighted that Government aims at transforming almost every sector of the economy by introducing new business models, new products, new services and new ways of creating value and jobs adding that Artificial Intelligence is one of the Ministry’s priorities towards the next phase in the digital transformation in Government processes.

According to the Global Competitiveness Report, Mauritius is ranked 45^th in the world; 72^nd on the ICT Development Index; and 66^th on the E-Government Development.  The country is also ranked 49^th on the Network Readiness Index and 6^th on the Cybersecurity index.