1. Context and Objectives

Context

The next frontier of development remains the ocean. The oceans, estuaries and freshwater bodies have always played an important role in meeting human needs for food, recreation and other resources. They also provide a livelihood for millions of people throughout the world. As a result, sustainable aquaculture is gaining importance as a multi- disciplinary industry that has the potential to meet human needs for food and livelihood, while protecting and maintaining ecosystem structure and functions. Through the adoption of an integrated, holistic and ecosystem- based management approach, aquaculture, mariculture and utilisation of ocean and freshwater resources can be made economically profitable, environmentally sustainable, and socially equitable.

Objective of the Programme

This programme has been devised to be in line with Government policy on developing an Ocean Economy for the Republic of Mauritius (The Ocean Economy Roadmap for Mauritius, 2013; World Bank Report on The Ocean Economy of Mauritius, 2017). Aquaculture, mariculture, biologically active compounds from coastal and marine plant and animal species for use as fertilisers, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, etc. have major potential in this context. To realize this potential, the country needs trained manpower at various levels, scientifically-generated and reliable data and knowledge, as well as the enabling framework. This programme aims to provide graduates with training in advanced aspects of sustainable freshwater, coastal and marine aquaculture, while managing these ecosystems sustainably, and keeping in mind social equity.

Career Opportunities

Upon completion, fresh graduates wishing to make a career in this field, will be equipped with good knowledge and skills in various aspects of aquaculture, which will not only help them up in their own professional development, but will also contribute to promoting sustainable aquaculture ventures in the Republic. Those already in employment will have be enabled to have the necessary competence to play key roles in the development of the Ocean Economy, most specifically in the aquaculture field.

2. Programme Learning Outcomes

The programme is structured towards the acquisition of scientific skills and practical knowledge in aquaculture and food production. In addition, students are exposed with the knowledge and application of concepts, tools and techniques in the management of small, medium large-scale aquaculture.

By the end of this programme, graduates will have developed knowledge, abilities and skills to:

explain the biological and ecological processes of aquatic ecosystems and the organisms living in it, and the various processes governing life in any type of water body.
develop cultures of aquatic organisms (such as fish, crustaceans, echinoderms, corals, sponges, algae, etc.) in a wide range of culture environments (from sea enclosures to semi-extensive ponds and high-tech recirculation systems).
discuss the sensitivity of marine communities in relation to human interventions, including overexploitation, climate change, and habitat destruction.
explain the concept and practices of sustainable governance and management of large water bodies, including local, regional and international regulations.
demonstrate the trends of modern aquaculture, nutrition and welfare of cultured species.
justify the importance of entrepreneurial skills for the development of innovative SMEs in the ocean industry.
develop innovative concepts for new value-added food and non-food products from the aquaculture industry
design, plan and carry out research in the various fields of agriculture,
use appropriate scientific and statistical methods and evaluations for decision making in various sectors of aquaculture,
demonstrate use of written and oral communication skills.