Scenario Building

Scenario Building Series No. 1: ICT in Secondary Schools- Use of Linux Based Servers

ICT (Information and Communication technology) is a necessary tool that will allow Mauritius to move up to higher stages of economic development and the Government is promoting the use of ICT (Information and Communication technology) in all sectors of the economy, including education.

This paper focuses on ICT (Information and Communication technology) in secondary schools. The aim is to assess the advantages (mainly cost advantages) of using Linux operating system in schools. The current settings of computer labs are compared with three other options namely:

1. a Windows-based server;

2. a Linux-based server;

3. Thin client with Linux.

Scenario Building Series No. 2: Reorienting the Mauritian Textile Industry

The Mauritian textile industry is facing huge challenges- both local and international. The situation requires that stakeholders- the private sector, the government, financial institutions and workers- change the approach to the industry. There are other countries that have faced and survived similar hardships and the paper our textile industry should emulate the steps taken by other countries to face these challenges.

According to the paper, clustering is a way to help the textile industry that has proved to be successful.

In effect, clustering can help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) boost their competitiveness by sharing some of their resources while keeping their identity and remaining competitors. It allows companies grow more rapidly than isolated firms.

The NPCC (National Productivity and Competitiveness Council) has set up a Productivity Implementation Committee (PIC) on Clustering.

The Productivity Implementation Committee aims to promote cluster development initiatives in the textile and textile sector and networking and partnership among service providers.