Bilkiss Jaffaralli
2 April 2008
Port Louis — Indur Fagoonee, Cassam Uteem, Soodurshun Jugessur and Aartee Beekharry join to cut the traditional cake.
The celebration of the 40th anniversary of the 1st UOM graduates last Friday at Octave Wiehe Auditorium was an opportunity to measure the road travelled over these four decades. "This day is a great symbol for the students. It's a day to reflect on the progress made by the university. Commemorating this day has been a joint venture between the Students' Union and the university.
The University of Mauritius is a platform of education of excellence and personal development. Not only can you have a successful career but you also grow in all aspects in life. Here at the university, we are all like the 'UOM' family", declared Aartee Beekharry, the president of the Students' Union, which had been party to that celebration. Former president Cassam Uteem, was among the first graduates from the Faculty of humanities and social sciences before going to France for further studies.
Cassam Uteem felt very emotional about being the guest of honour. After expressing his grief for the dead victims of last Wednesday's floods, he reflected on issues such as the 'Noubanisme' that some people are using for their own interests while causing harm to others. "It has been a long time since we Mauritians have been living together. But we have lost some of our values over time. There was more solidarity when we were poor. We had a better sense of sharing during those days. If we don't put a stop to all these things, our little heaven-like island will certainly become a hell ."
Vice-chancellor Indur Fagoonee expressed his appreciation of the students' potential to organize activities and for taking such an initiative. "Students from the University of Mauritius are high profile citizens, not only here but at international level also. Indeed, our students do perform even when they are abroad." However, he expressed his disappointment that the auditorium was not full and reflected on moral values like strengthening family's ties, assuming responsibilities and educating children about citizenship and eco-citizenship, which are very important today.
The Pro-chancellor of the University, Soodurshun Jugessur, still remembers when the university started 43 years ago, in a small building in Rose-Hill with students in the administration faculty. Later on, it moved to Réduit in the small stone building. He still remembers the initiative of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, to open a university, as there was a need for qualified people to run the country, which was preparing to become an independent nation. Since the administrative department, the faculty of Agriculture, followed by the four faculties, the university has made enormous progress.
But memories stay. He still remembers the first pro-chancellor, Sir Harilal Vaghjee, the vice-chancellor, Prof Hale and the second vice-chancellor, Prof Paul Octave Wiehe after whom the auditorium was named. "There are lots of things to be done yet. We must see what we have achieved and where we are going. The institution stays but it's we who go. We must have a glance at the past and a vision of the future. The University of Mauritius is bringing the change for the future. To do it, we need more money, buildings, qualified staff and equipment. We are thinking about trusts, endowments to get the funds for the benefit of students and the future. I'm sure we are going to make it."
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