| Brief on SADC Set Week 2009
1st SADC SET WEEK
22 – 25 OCTOBER 2009
Swami Vivekananda International Convention Centre
Les Pailles
1.0 Introduction
Mauritius is hosting the 1 st SADC SET WEEK from 22 to 25 October at Swami Vivekananda International Convention Centre under the theme “Harnessing Science and Technology for Socio-Economic Development” to raise the awareness of society on the everyday use of science and technology towards the improvement of the quality of life.
2.0 Main Objectives of the SADC SET week
- Increase people’s understanding and appreciation of the importance of science, engineering and technology in their daily lives.
- Stimulate young people’s interest in studying science and mathematics at secondary school level.
- Encourage young people to consider furthering their studies in sciences and engineering at higher education level.
- Expose people to scientific and technological advances in the SADC region.
3.0 Background
At the SADC Ministerial Meeting of Ministers responsible for Science and Technology held on 11 December 2008, Mauritius was assigned the responsibility to chair the SADC SET Week with South Africa as the Deputy Chair. 4.0 Main Activities
To mark the event, three main activities are being organized concurrently with the participation of the SADC member states.
- a Regional Exhibition on Science & Technology to display scientific and technological development that have taken place in the respective fields and that are relevant for future socio-economic development in Mauritius and the region;
- a Science Education Fair to create awareness on Science courses that universities in the region offer at tertiary level; and
- a Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation with the participation of SADC Member States focusing on topics of regional importance and also of relevance to the theme of the event.
5.0 Arrangements for the SADC SET week
In order to ensure that the SADC SET week is organized in the best possible conditions, the following committees have been set up:
- An Organising Committee, under the chairmanship Mr S.Ragen, Permanent Secretary, comprising representatives of both public and private sectors to look into all logistics and the organizational aspects of the event.
- Sub-Committees on Exhibition on Science and Technology under the Chairmanship of Mr R.Moolye, Principal Assistant Secretary to look into the organizational aspects of the Exhibition.
- Sub-Committees on Science Education Fair under the chairmanship of Dr K.S Sukon, Manager, Human Resource Development Council to look into the organizational aspects of the Science Education Fair.
- Sub-Committees on Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) under the chairmanship of Dr A.Suddhoo, Director, Mauritius Research Council to look into the organizational aspects of the Forum on STI.
- Sub-Committees on accommodation under the chairmanship of Mrs C.Jhowry, Acting Principal Assistant Secretary, to look into issues regarding accommodation and reception of SADC delegates.
6.0 Status on Regional Exhibition
6.1 SADC Member States in SADC SET WEEK
All SADC member states were invited to participate in the SADC SET Week. Each member state has been allocated 5 booths for the exhibition and Republic of South Africa, being the Deputy Chair of SADC Set Week, has been allocated 30 booths.
So far, only the Democratic Republic of Congo (3 booths), Namibia (2 booths) and South Africa (20 BOOTHS) have indicated that they would participate in the exhibition. Republic of South Africa has submitted a list of delegates who would attend the SADC SET week.
Botswana , Malawi, Zimbabwe and the Deputy Minister of Science and Technology at South Africa have confirmed their participation in the SADC SET launch scheduled for 22 October 2009. About 35 foreign delegates from Six SADC Members countries have confirmed their participation in the SADC SET week.
6.2 Participation of Local Institutions in Exhibition
Following formal invitation from the Ministry to organizations in the forefront of cutting-edge technologies, 75 institutions are participating in the Regional Exhibition and Science Education Fair as follows:
(i) 38 public sector institutions occupying 60 booths
(ii) 10 education-related institutions occupying 29 booths
(iii) 28 private enterprise covering all sectors occupying 37 booths
A list of the organizations participating in the Exhibition is at Annex II
7.0STATUS ON SCIENCE EDUCATION FAIR
The Science Education Fair is being looked into by the HRDC. This event will form part of the regional exhibition. Ten education-related institutions are participating in the Fair. The Fair will occupy 29 booths.
8.0 Status on Forum on STI
The Forum on STI will be organized at SVICC concurrently with the other events. MRC is looking into the programme and logistic arrangements. The Launching will be held on Thursday 22 October 2008 at 14.00 hours with a round table discussion under the theme “Harnessing Science and Technology for development in SADC Countries”. A copy of the programme is at Annex IV.
9.0 DELEGATE HANDBOOK
A delegate Handbook highlighting all the administrative arrangements, including list of hotels has been issued to all SADC Member States.
10.0 SENSITISATION CAMPAIGN
To ensure that the SADC SET Week captures the attention of the general public, will be launched a week prior to the event through:
(i) issue of a brochure
(ii) issue of posters to all institutions
(iii) press advertisements a week prior to the event
(iv) Billboards around the island in 21 strategic places
(v) Radio/TV Spots to be released a week prior to the event
(vi) Holding of a Press Conference by Minister
(vii) Issue of letters to all Ministries/Departments, parastatal bodies, NGOs, Senior Citizens Clubs, Youth Centres, CAB Offices, Women Centres, Manufacturing Enterprises, Cooperative Societies and private sectors institutions
(viii) Banners
Over and above, a media partner (Radio Plus) has be identified to cover an event live from the 22 to 25 October 2009.
11.0 FUNCTION
11.1 Launching Ceremony
The Launching Ceremony will be held in the Atrium which can accommodate up to 500 guests. Invitation is being issued to 500 guests, including all Ministers, Members of National Assembly, Diplomatic Corps and private sector stakeholders.
The programme comprises the following items:-
(i) National Anthem of Mauritius and SADC Anthem
(ii) Video Clips on SADC SET Week
(iii) Cultural programme into two parts
(iv) Addresses by Honourable A. Boolell, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Deputy Ministry of Science & Technology of South Africa, Minister of Democratic Republic of Congo, SADC Executive Secretary
(v) Keynote Address by Hon. D. Gokhool, Minister of Industry, Science & Research
(vi) Opening of Regional Exhibition followed by visits.
12.0 Lunch for VVIPS
Arrangements are being made for the hosing of a Lunch by the Minister in honour of the VVIPS at Domaine Les Pailles after Launching Ceremony.
13.0 Cocktail Party
Arrangements are being made for the hosting of a cocktail party in honour of the delegates and the local exhibitors on 22 October 2009 at Domaine Les Pailles.
14.0 SIDE EVENTS
Human Resource Development Council ( HRDC) and Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre ( RGSC) will organize talks, film shows for the benefits of the general public during the event.
15.0 ACCOMMODATION AND RECEPTION OF DELEGATES
Ministry of Industry, Science and is looking in all the logistic arrangements for the accommodation and reception of the Foreign delegates at the airport. The committee would also arrange for transport facilities to be placed at the disposal of the delegates.
16.0 SHUTTLE BUS SERVICES
Free shuttle bus service will be provided to the general public from Place Margéot, RoseHill, Victoria and Immigration Square, Port Louis to SVICC and back.
17.0 Opening Hours for the exhibition
The Exhibition will be opened to the public as follows:
Thursday 22 October 2009 |
From 1.00 to 6.00 p.m. |
Friday 23 October 2009 |
From 9.30 to 6.00 p.m. |
Saturday 24 October 2009 |
From 9.30 to 6.00 p.m. |
Sunday 25 October 2009 |
From 9.30 to 4.00 p.m. |
18.0 Coordinators
To ensure that everything goes on smoothly during the event, the ministry has appointed the following coordinators:
Event Coordinator
- Exhibition Dr A.Maulloo, Director, Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre
- Science Education Fair Mrs C.D Imrit , Administrative Assistant, Human
Resource Development Council
- Forum on STI Mrs P. Ramjeawon, Research Coordinator, Mauritius Research Institute
- Side Events Mr S.Rungoo, Manager/Curator, Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre
19.0 CONCLUSIONS
The Organising Committee and the Sub-Committees have taken all the necessary steps to ensure the success of the SADC SET Week. |
