The University of Technology, Mauritius (UTM) and edTech start-up edVentr are working together to promote the dissemination of Digital Design learning and skills across the country and beyond. An official signing ceremony between the two parties was held on 10 August 2022 to consolidate this collaboration.
The President of the UTM board of Governors, Mr. Raj Makoond, GCSK, the UTM Director General, Dr Dinesh Kumar Hurreeram, and edVentr Director Mrs. Mudrika Periwal were the main signatories to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Other members present at the signing ceremony included the Registrar of UTM, Ms Nikita Peeroo; Head of School of Innovative Technologies and Engineering, Dr. Shireen Panchoo; the Programme Director of UTM Graphics Design programmes, Dr. Nassirah Laloo; UTM administrative representative, Mrs. Rishma Lallbahadoor; and edVentr director, Mr. Sandeep Chagger.
The objective of the MOU is to impart training to the students in the digital design field and make accompanying certifications accessible to students. The collaboration will allow students to enrol for courses and certification exams for Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Indesign, Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe After-Effects and Unity certified user for artist, Virtual Reality Developer and Programmer.
“At edVentr, we offer learning material and certification exams from world leading organizations such as Microsoft, Adobe, Apple, Autodesk, EC-Council, Intuit, Project Management Institute and Unity, amongst others. Our collaboration with University of Technology, Mauritius will create an opportunity for learners in the field of design and virtual reality to get certified by Adobe and Unity, respectively,” explains Mudrika Periwal, Director, edVentr.
Under the MOU, students registering at UTM will benefit from preferential prices on examinations offered by edVentr.
“While the courses offered by edVentr range from IT, business skills, office skills (Microsoft, communication, digital literacy etc), current/future industry topics (blockchain, agile, project management, cybersecurity), graphic design, web and game development, UTM currently offers the following approved short courses; Photoshop Essential Skills, Illustrator Essential Skills, InDesign Essential Skills, Premiere Pro Essential Skills and After-Effects essential skills.
Given the increasing importance of technology in a post-pandemic world, the certifications from edVentr will equip UTM students with enhanced professional skills and further their digital design journey. Our objective is to bridge the gap between industry needs and academia by enhancing the IT skills of students in the country and increase employability of our graduates through these industry recognised certifications offered by edVentr,” concludes Dr Dinesh Kumar Hurreeram, UTM Director General.
