Higher Education: Mauritian and French Researchers Called to Unite Their Skills

An informational session on the Hubert Curien Partnership (PHC Le Réduit) 2026 was held on Monday, February 2, 2026, at the Mauritius Institute of Education in Réduit, attended by the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Research, Dr. Kaviraj Sukon.

Representatives from the French embassy in Mauritius, academics, researchers, and other dignitaries also attended the event.

The aim of this information session is to help researchers and academics better understand the PHC Le Réduit, which serves as a key instrument for bilateral scientific cooperation between the Republic of Mauritius and the French Republic.

In his speech, Dr. Kaviraj Sukon urged Mauritian academics and researchers to develop significant projects in collaboration with their French counterparts that will have a positive impact on society. He encouraged potential participants to choose teamwork over working in isolation and to take advantage of the facilities provided to them by the PHC Le Réduit.

The minister also emphasized that all research areas are eligible. "However, priority will be given to projects in the following disciplines: applied sciences, human health, veterinary and agricultural sciences, biology and biotechnology, pharmaceutical research and industry, arts and heritage, humanities and social sciences, French language teaching, digitization, and emerging technologies in education," he stated.

The PHC Le Réduit initiative aligns with the government's objectives to transform the island into a knowledge hub by enabling Mauritian researchers to collaborate with the international scientific community on strategically important innovative research projects for the country.

To promote scientific cooperation and researcher mobility between France and Mauritius, PHC Le Réduit has launched its sixth call for projects for 2026/2027. The deadline for submitting applications is set for March 13, 2026.

Initially launched in 1976 and named after physicist Hubert Curien (1924-2005) since 2007, the PHC is a key instrument for cooperation between France and its partners. These bilateral programs fund the mobility of researchers working on joint projects, co-financed with the partner country.