Minister Sukon highlights need to translate Research into Innovation

Mauritius must strengthen the commercialisation of research, increase patenting and forge closer links between academia and industry to drive innovation and economic development, stated the Minister of Tertiary Education, Science and Research, Dr Kaviraj Sharma Sukon.

He was speaking on 11 September 2026 at an Academia Roundtable held at the University of Mauritius (UoM) in Réduit, in the context of the official visit of the Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Mr Daren Tang. The Vice-Chancellor of the UoM, Prof. Kavi Kumar Khedo, representatives of higher education institutions, researchers and students were also present.

Minister Sukon highlighted that greater emphasis must be placed on creating the conditions for research and innovation to flourish, rather than focusing solely on measuring innovation performance. He observed that while academics traditionally focus on research publications, greater efforts are required to encourage them to take their work further through patenting and commercialisation.

He outlined several initiatives to reinforce collaboration within the higher education ecosystem, including the organisation of a joint National Research Week and the setting up of a National Committee on Curriculum Development.

Dr Sukon further invited WIPO to consider establishing a WIPO Academy in Mauritius so as to contribute to intellectual property capacity building locally and potentially serve the wider region.

As for Mr Tang, he emphasised the importance of transforming research and innovation into tangible economic and societal value. He pointed out the need to support researchers and students in turning laboratory breakthroughs into marketable products and services, while fostering university spin-offs and stronger connections between researchers and enterprises.

He also dwelt on technology transfer, appropriate intellectual property policies and capacity building as key components of a vibrant innovation ecosystem.

Prof. Khedo, for his part, reiterated UoM's commitment to strengthening research commercialisation, technology transfer, entrepreneurship and collaboration with WIPO.

14 September 2026

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