Second Reading du Mauritius Research and Innovation Council Bill par le ministre des TIC

Yogida Sawmynaden a prononcé un discours lors de la deuxième lecture de son projet de loi, le Mauritius Research and Innovation Council Bill, lors de la séance parlementaire du 3 Mai 2019.

Madam Speaker,
I beg to move that the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council (MRIC) Bill be read a second time.
It is a privilege and an honour for me to bring this Bill to the House today. The objective of the MRIC Bill is to provide for the replacement of the Mauritius Research Council Act, and pave the way for the establishment of the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council.
The House may recall that in the Budget Speech 2017/2018, the Government expressed its intention of fundamentally reviewing and restructuring the Mauritius Research Council to transform it into the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council (MRIC) as announced by the Prime Minister, Hon. Pravind Jugnauth.
The main objectives of this transformation is:
to promote high quality applied research in Mauritius,
to empower the Council to re-orient its resources and expertise towards building strong collaborative partnerships with the private sector, encompassing small and large organisations,
to foster innovation as a major growth enabler towards making Mauritius a high-income and inclusive country in line with Vision 2030 of the Government,
and to have more initiatives on social and inclusive innovation.
Extensive consultations as well as comparative exercises of similar Innovation Councils worldwide were carried out during the year and this is how the draft Bill for the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council was worked out.

Madam Speaker,
I will now talk on the existing legislation and its various loopholes which prompted us to come with this new Bill.
The Mauritius Research Council was set up in 1992 as an apex body to promote applied research in Mauritius and coordinate Government investment in this field.
The MRC was also mandated to:
advise Government on science and technology,
advise Government on social and economic issues,
to encourage strategic partnerships,
and to influence the direction of innovation by funding technological applied research projects in areas of national priority.
Over the years, the applied research and innovation landscape has evolved in Mauritius.
Although a number of organisations, such as universities, are engaged in applied research, their focus does not necessarily involve consideration of the opportunities for business innovation and commercialisation.
In order to strengthen the mandate of the Council, the MRC Act was amended in 2014. The amendment was, however, limited to the introduction of a National Research and Innovation Advisory Committee.
Since then, further changes have occurred. Although engagement with enterprises and business has increased, there is still a disparity in terms of private sector participation in applied research and innovation, as opposed to what can be observed in other countries, where advances are driven largely by the private sector.
Consequently, there is an urgent need for appropriate structures and mechanisms to ensure more effective coordination and synergy between Government and the private sector in the field of applied research to address priority areas of the country.
It is therefore important that the Council focuses on the following strategic axes:
Knowledge Prioritisation,
Knowledge Generation,
Knowledge Management,
Knowledge Transformation,
Knowledge Dissemination and Exchange,
and the Efficient Use of Knowledge by innovators and entrepreneurs,
all within a framework equipped with the tools for measuring and evaluating progress.
The existing legislation reveals a number of areas which are currently not addressed and which need to be considered through a more appropriate framework. They are:
Increasing private sector participation in applied research and innovation to propel our country further,
Having better budgetary control at the national level on applied research and innovation to improve how financial resources are allocated, in a way leading to commercialisation. Today, there is limited scope in the Council’s ability to encourage commercial utilisation of the results produced. An improved framework will allow for a decrease in the time needed for new products and services to appear on the market,
Ensuring that inventors own all intellectual property derived from their work. The existing legislation creates some uncertainty in who owns the IP of any product or service developed, and this sometimes makes the private sector reluctant to engage in the use of the Council’s funds. By ensuring that ownership of intellectual property remains with the inventor, a strong signal will be sent to encourage private sector investment in applied research, research & development and innovation.

Madam Speaker,
Allow me to delve on the objectives of the new legislation. With a view to modernising the applied research and innovation landscape in Mauritius, the proposed MRIC Bill will establish the necessary legal framework to achieve the following:
reinforce the position of the MRIC as the apex body advising Government on all matters concerning applied research and innovation,
emphasize the links between applied research, innovation, intellectual property and entrepreneurship;
catalyse private sector involvement in applied research and innovation that will address the scientific, technological, social and economic needs and challenges of the country,
and promote international networking of the innovative people of Mauritius with like-minded people from other countries.
For the achievement of the above objectives, the MRIC will, as set out at Clause 4 of the Bill, specifically engage in:
a) promoting and coordinating applied research and innovation according to the needs of the country and to improve the quality of life of our citizens,
b) fostering an applied research, innovation and entrepreneurship culture,
c) encouraging the development and application of advanced and innovative technology to meet the needs of industries,
d) enhancing private sector participation in applied research and innovation,
e) and promoting commercial utilisation of the results of applied research and innovation in the national interest.

Madam Speaker,
The new legislation gives a new impulse to innovation. Rationalism and pragmatism demand that we understand that the future is not a completely unknown territory into which we step, but an extension of the present that we can shape by thoughtful and proactive decisions and actions.
In this connection, the new legislation charts the pathway for the MRIC’s role in helping to shape the country’s future.
The changes brought through Clause 5(a) of the new legislation will set the national direction in terms of developing policies and strategies for applied research and innovation involving private sector collaboration and the creation of funding initiatives that strengthen applied research and scientific capabilities, while at the same time maintaining a strong focus on achieving economic and national impact.
In parallel, these efforts will also improve the country’s competitive position internationally. The MRIC will, therefore, be business oriented, as set out at Clause 4(d) of the Bill.

Madam Speaker,
For the private sector to invest further in applied research and innovation, it needs to have confidence that the overarching aims of the new Council will include its interests within the national dimension.
Among the core issues being addressed by this Bill are the development of appropriate Performance Metrics and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), all of which will play a key role in the national innovation strategy and in determining the success of our knowledge economy.
Further, the Council will be shifting from an advisory role to having a more direct hand in steering collaborative applied research, aligned with the country’s increased emphasis on innovation for driving the economy, as set out at Clause 5(b) of the Bill.
Building on earlier achievements, the focus of the MRIC will be targeted to growing private sector applied research capabilities and, through collaborative efforts, encourage the emergence of high growth innovative enterprises which fully leverage technology.
These investments will then turn into new products, new services and new solutions that create better economic and societal outcomes for all citizens and all tourists visiting Mauritius every year.
It is clear that value-creation will increasingly cut across traditional boundaries. Consequently, collaborative efforts between Government and the private sector, will most likely be influenced by multi-disciplinary trends in areas such as:
agritech,
the use of blockchain in fintech,
high-tech manufacturing and engineering,
health and biomedical sciences,
the ocean economy,
and, of course, the digital economy and the ICT sector in general.
In adopting a strong business focus, the MRIC will be able to drive innovation within existing organisations and start-ups and thus will assist creative people, wherever they are, to launch, build and grow successful businesses.
As a key objective of the Council enunciated at Clause 4(e) of the MRIC Bill, promoting commercial utilisation of the results of applied research and innovation in the national interest will make the MRIC a focal point for technology transfer.
The Council will work closely with economic agencies and provide guidance and training for industry and their applied research partners to commercialise their products and services.
The support will also extend to early stage collaborative projects, which could include proof-of-concept or prototyping activities. Such projects will improve the readiness level of the technology to a stage where it could be more easily understood, developed and then deployed by industry.
To encourage international collaboration and exchange, Clause 5(k) of the MRIC Bill makes provision to deepen and diversify the international connections of our people and enterprises to their counterparts in global markets who are at the forefront of innovation and technology.
This will facilitate the exchange of ideas and increase collaboration opportunities in the region and beyond.

Madam Speaker,
At this point, allow me to talk about a very important and innovative project currently being undertaken by the MRC and which the MRIC will have to complete.
I am, of course, referring to our MIR-SAT1 project, the first Mauritian satellite expected to be launched by the end of this year.
One year ago, a multi-institutional team, led by the MRC submitted a proposal under the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) KiboCUBE Programme 2018, for the design and building of the first Mauritius cube satellite.
The Mauritian proposal, called MIR-SAT1, was retained by the JAXA / UNOOSA as the best submission from a developing country in 2018 and consequently Mauritius has been offered the opportunity, for the first time in its history, to build and deploy a Mauritian Nano Satellite in space.
Concretely, MIR-SAT1 is currently being assembled at this moment by AAC-Clyde Space in the UK, based on designs created by the team led by the MRC. The assembly and testing will be finished by September this year and the cube satellite will then be transported to Japan to be, subsequently, sent to space, aboard a rocket.
MIR-SAT1 will then reach the International Space Station (ISS) and, after some time, will be launched in space from the ISS. This will happen before the end of this year.
As soon as it starts operating, MIR-SAT1 will collect images of Mauritius and surrounding regions using a long wave infrared thermal camera. The data from the satellite will be collected by a main ground station situated in the MRC premises.
The data collected from the cube satellite will be used for capacity building, applied research and innovation in areas pertinent to national problems.
Having our own Nano-satellite orbiting planet Earth will be a major achievement for a small island nation such as Mauritius. It is not only about having a satellite, but it is also about fostering collaboration between Government, associations and private companies to leverage the data coming from space.
It is also about inspiring a whole new generation of young Mauritians to embark on Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) studies in order to become the space engineers and space explorers of tomorrow.
MIR-SAT1 is also going to pave the way towards the establishment of a Space Agency in Mauritius in the long run.
I am sure that everyone in this august assembly will understand that the future is bright for the young people of Mauritius with a Government which has a strong Vision into making Mauritius a better country and making sure that this Vision becomes reality.

Madam Speaker,
Allow me to come back to the new legislation which will ensure that the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council operates through a strengthened legal instrument for applied research and innovation in line with Government strategies and budgetary measures.
Clause 5(j) will allow the reinforcement of the role of the Council as the national innovation agency and enhance its ability to implement applied research and innovation programs, including those under the National Innovation Framework.
This Framework places emphasis on the need to increase the efficiency of applied research and innovation by local enterprises within a setting that accommodates a wide spectrum of relationships between industry and academia, as set out at Clause 5(b) of the Bill.
In view of the aims and objectives of the MRIC, the composition of the Council, as laid down at Clause 7 of the Bill, is designed to ensure that the members have, between them, significant direct experience in the development and exploitation of science, technology, innovation as well as in industrial, commercial and financial matters.
It is vital that the interests of applied research and innovation are properly balanced by persons with experience in industry who are used to taking risks in the commercial world.
The Council will have responsibility for leading in overall strategic direction and cross-cutting decision-making, as well as ensuring close working relationships with a wide range of key stakeholders.
The Council composition proposed in the MRIC Bill, therefore, delivers a membership which is able to think and act entrepreneurially in the interests of applied research, innovation, the economy and society.

Madam Speaker,
The dynamism of the eventual MRIC will depend on its deliverables, the main ones of which are as follows:
a) implementing the National Innovation Framework;
b) devising new collaborative grant schemes to promote innovation in the private sector;
c) building strong public-private and industry-academia partnerships;
d) improving products, services and business processes through proof-of-concept support;
e) setting up incubators with the participation of private companies; and
f) organizing Innovator-Business Forums.
The MRIC will help support growth of the economy of Mauritius through applied research and innovation by:
reinforcing commitments to strategic thrusts, including driving applied research and innovation excellence through competition,
ensuring impact through public-private collaborations, industry-oriented applied research and development and commercialisation,
exploring new and emerging technologies such as Internet of Things, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain,
and developing talent and expertise in Mauritius.
The key to Mauritius remaining competitive in a fast-changing world with global and regional economies stepping up their development, is for our enterprises and applied research institutions to build deep capabilities, and work in partnership with one another to seize opportunities.
Effective communication will be of utmost importance. In this respect, the Bill emphasises not only the need for the mechanics of collaboration, but also that of a culture where public and private organisations work together.
To ensure meaningful and rewarding collaboration between private sector and academia, this new legislation aims to promote the right culture and environment to ensure that these two sectors do not just have a sense of working together but see themselves as partners in a very important endeavour.

Madam Speaker,
Please allow me now to highlight the major features that are being brought in this Bill.
Clause 13 of the Bill relates to the establishment of a National Research and Innovation Fund. The linkages between applied research, innovation and business should be nurtured and this fund will serve to encourage the development of innovative products, processes and services. The fund will also help to increase investment by the public and private sectors towards addressing the scientific, technological, social and economic needs and challenges of the country.
With this approach, the MRIC will be able to bring the applied research base and industry together in a more purposeful way to encourage the creation of jobs and the growth of businesses.
If we are to have a successful knowledge economy, it will be through the successful implementation of this fund to create an environment that is conducive to the commercialisation of new products and new services.
Clause 14 of the Bill relates to the administration of National Research and Innovation Fund which will be subject to monitoring systems, determined through a Committee set up by the Council. Such monitoring systems could include, for example, setting and tracking of KPIs and Value-For-Money (VFM) Reviews. These systems will seek to improve performance and ensure accountability of projects, schemes, events and other initiatives financed through the Fund.
On the setting and tracking of KPIs, it is envisaged that projects, schemes, events and other initiatives will have their output and outcome KPIs set prior to their funding approval and disbursement of funds. Before the end of the funding period, the Committee will review the progress of each of the initiatives to assess if they are on track to meet their KPIs. Funding will be reviewed where necessary. At the end of the funding period, the Committee will review the outcomes of the projects and other initiatives. KPIs will be re-established for funding of a new cycle and these projects and other initiatives will be revised if necessary.
For the Value-For-Money (VFM) Reviews, the Committee will assess the cost-effectiveness of projects, schemes, events and other initiatives, identify potential areas for improvement and provide recommendations. These findings, along with the achievement of KPIs, will be factored into the review of subsequent projects and other initiatives at the end of the funding cycle.

Madam Speaker,
At Clause 16, the Bill provides for significant changes in the way intellectual property is managed. Promotion of applied research and innovation in various sectors, and the support being provided to enterprises as they engage with academia, are all dependent on a successful intellectual property framework.
Intellectual property is the sum of a person’s or a business’s creativity or unique knowledge and gives ownership to all artefacts created.
It is vital for the economic prosperity of Mauritius and is the foundation from which people can derive value from their innovation and investments. This will be of crucial importance if we are to transit to a high income economy.
Whereas the previous approach was for intellectual property to be retained by the Council, the MRIC Bill brings in a marked shift in enabling intellectual property to be owned by the innovator.
This is a revolutionary step towards a modern Mauritius and is fully in line with the Vision of our Prime Minister, Hon. Pravind Jugnauth, to transform Mauritius in a high-income and inclusive country well before 2030.
This approach is the same as that adopted for the management of intellectual property by the vast majority of applied research councils across the world, where emphasis lies in encouraging use of the intellectual property by enterprises as a lever to boost business growth.
Intellectual property rights and intellectual property-supported business will be at the heart of many new trade arrangements Mauritius will have with other countries throughout the world.
It is therefore important that the provisions of the MRIC Bill are in consonance with these trends and are aligned with the needs of private and public collaborating partners engaging in applied research and innovation.
It is useful to understand that intellectual property can exist in various forms, for example, industrial designs, patents, trademarks and copyright.
Similarly, the number and quality of start-ups being created out of the intellectual property developed by these applied research partnerships can be an important metric to determine how innovative Mauritius is.
As the size of projects taken on by industry-academia partnerships grow, indicators such as the number of collaborations, number of intellectual property registrations, number of intellectual property licences or licence revenues can serve to measure the rate of successful commercialisation.
Accordingly, the MRIC Bill will help to create strategic links between applied research and innovation, intellectual property and other components of the knowledge economy and promote collaboration with the Industrial Property Office of Mauritius.
Our intellectual property framework is evolving, and in anticipation of the new intellectual property legislation, the provisions of the MRIC Bill will allow flexibility in identifying ownership in cases where innovation arises from the use of resources managed by the Council, from resources shared by private enterprises, or from work commissioned from the Council.

Madam speaker,
As any revamped legislation, the MRIC Bill at Clause 24 relates to Savings and Transitional Provisions in view of the emergence of an organisation with a new identity. This will, among others, ensure that the terms and conditions of persons employed on the permanent and pensionable establishment of the MRC shall be not less favourable when they will be transferred to the new MRIC.
I strongly believe that the new MRIC Bill will go a long way in creating a more conducive and enabling environment for applied research and innovation which will definitely have a high incidence on socio-economic development of the country.
Madam Speaker,
Before ending my speech, please allow me to point out that my attention has been drawn to a typing error in the Explanatory Memorandum where the word “Innovative” should in fact read “Innovation”. Further, I propose to bring a minor amendment to Clause 24 at Committee Stage.
“Aujourd’hui, Maurice est un vaste chantier”.
It is clear that the Government, under the leadership of Hon. Pravind Jugnauth, is doing everything which is needed to transform the lives of all our citizens.
Works on the first phase of the Metro Express will be completed in five months, major enhancements to our road and water infrastructure are currently being done and will be completed soon and we will have our own satellite orbiting planet Earth by the end of the year!
Today, with this Bill, we are paving the way towards the full collaboration between Government and the private sector in applied research and innovation to make Mauritius a better country.
With these words, Madam Speaker, I would like to commend this Bill to the House.
Thank you.