The meeting was attended by a vibrant mix of Mauritian authorities, the European Commission, and ICT stakeholders from Europe, Mauritius and neighbouring countries such as Madagascar, Comoros and the Seychelles. The first day was successively introduced by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Mauritius, Konrad Morgan, who welcomed the participants and insisted on the importance of mobile technologies. Then, the Director of the Bureau of Indian Ocean of the French-speaking University Agency – AUF) who highlighted the importance of ICTs for the development of knowledge-based societies in a North-South perspective. Next, Honourable Dr. Rajeshwar Jeetah, Mauritius’ Minister of Higher Education, Sciences, Research and Technology pointed out areas of actual and potential cooperation in ICTs, such as digital libraries. Finally, Honourable Pillay Chedumbrum Tassarajen, Minister of Information Communication and Technologies, insisted on the importance of ICT for the economic and social development of Mauritius. As ICT is already high in the agenda in Mauritius, he noted, the country would like to expand and cooperate with neighbouring countries at the regional level. The ICT Minister then officially opened the 14th EuroAfrica-ICT FP7 Awareness Workshop.

To begin with, the speakers focused on the technical and scientific research on ICT at the country and regional level (Didier Oillo, French-speaking University Agency; Kavi Kumar Khedo, Mauritius University; Fouady Goulame, Comoros University). Next, they introduced the 7th Framework Program and ICT (Karine Valin, Sigma Orionis) as well as the EuroAfrica-ICT project (Erol Külahci, French-speaking University Agency). In particular, they highlighted the importance of thinking about ICT research projects at the Euro-African level. Furthermore, they presented exchanges on perspectives and prospects for Euro-African cooperation (Didier Oillo; A. Toolseeya, National Computer Board; Olivier Robinson, Antananarivo University). Finally, they informed the guests and participants about national, regional, African and Euro-African projects (Lala Andriamapianina, Antananarivo University; R. Sungkur and V. Hurbungs, Mauritius University; Nawaz Mohamudally, University of Technology, Mauritius; Jayantee Gukhool, Institut Francophone pour l’Entrepreneuriat à Maurice). Private Mauritian (M. Joseph Tsan Man King and M. Pather, REDSAT)and European (Rooktabir N. Sauba, GL Noble Denton) stakeholders then presented their ongoing projects and main obstacles in managing those initiatives.

During the second day of the awareness workshop, participants split themselves into thematic groups focusing on e-Learning, digital libraries, e-Inclusion and e-Health. In the morning, the organisers of the workshop allowed the participants to share their insights and perspectives regarding ICT research priorities and to provide more detailed feedback on areas of collaboration in these thematic areas. Next, participants were also asked to think about credible ICT research projects at the Euro-African level. One of the main problems highlighted by participants related to the lack of connections with European partners.

In the afternoon, the facilitator and the rapporteurs presented the results of each debates and discussions. These reports were followed by question/answer sessions that allowed participants attending other thematic groups to express themselves and to eventually make links with the concerns of their own working groups. All in all, the participants made a significant effort to respond to the questionnaire on insights and perspectives regarding Euro-African ICT research priorities and to develop ideas for credible Euro-African ICT research projects. The challenge now is to develop and refine further these emerging ideas of projects.