University of Technology, Mauritius

The bivariate discrete-valued auto-regressive time series (BINAR) process has gained lot of popularity in the recent years due to the number of applications involving bivariate discrete data. Some examples include the intra-day transactions of two competing stocks, the time series of day and night accidents, the weekly number of COVID-19 infected and death observations, the series of male and female domestic violence cases, and among others. These data series are exposed to several challenges such as mutual over-dispersion, high ordered lags, significant sample cross-correlation, non-stationarity and especially are mutually high-ordered. Thus, there is the need to develop high-ordered bivariate integer-valued auto-regressive models with different innovation distributions under time-dependent moments to account for the non-stationarity. This chapter therefore focuses on the development of the different BINAR models of general order p. The estimation of parameters is conducted using the Conditional Maximum likelihood (CML) approach. The proposed model is applied to the COVID-19 series in Mauritius.

The concept of spatiotemporal correlation, initially rooted in the domain of physics, has increasingly become of interest to scholars across various fields. This burgeoning interest is especially noted within the realm of human dynamics, where the examination of human behavior’s spatiotemporal aspects is emerging. The exploration into the nuanced ways in which human actions intertwine with geographical contexts is paramount. This paper delves into the Time-Space Characteristic Correlation of Human Behavior (TSCH) model, a pioneering framework that melds the intricacies of human behavior with geographic considerations through a micro-dynamic approach to population strategy, employing the mean-field limit method. This study scrutinizes the spatiotemporal dynamics of individual travel behaviors, focusing on specific traits such as sudden increases in activity (paroxysm B), behavioral memory (M), and the radius of gyration (Rg). The stability of these behavioral waves is evaluated through the application of the “db4” wavelet basis function, revealing stable fluctuations in population travel patterns that resonate deeply with regional characteristics. The model enables the computation of the overall cost burden of area visits for local residents, uncovering a power-law correlation between this cost and the spatial attractiveness of urban centers when analyzed at a collective level. Our findings underscore a profound linkage between the temporal and spatial patterns of human behavior at the urban scale. Furthermore, the TSCH model’s advancement facilitates a nuanced understanding of complex social issues, including urban development, public health management, and transportation systems optimization, offering valuable insights for sociological inquiry and practical application in addressing contemporary societal challenges.

As such the international situation of gender in the HRM domain demonstrates a case of entrenched gender bias and been qualified as a classic case of gender discrimination with an imminent need for more research in this area and this study on gender in the HRM domain in Mauritius fills this much needed gap. This study explores the unequal position of gender in the HRM domain from the various occupational sectors of Mauritius by using the qualitative research methodology of Focus Group discussions (FGD’s). The women who participated in the FGD’s were from the public and private sectors of Mauritius. The realities of women’s occupational lives in the HRM domain were explored during the FGD’s. The conversations were digitally tape recorded, transcribed and the material was analysed by the use of thematic analysis. The themes that emerged were the barriers, hurdles and impediments they experience and also the aspects that they want to change, that would facilitate their progression and advancement, reduce obstacles they face and enable them to make a meaningful contribution in their occupational lives. Though this study mainly focused on women in the HRM domain, the findings could apply unequivocally to women in diverse professions in Mauritius and internationally.

The full enjoyment of all women’s and girls’ human rights, gender equality, and empowerment are all universal ideals in and of themselves. They were outlined in the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. They are also necessary for economic progress, sustainable development, and leaving no one behind. For members of the OECD’s Development Assistance Committee (DAC) and other development partners working to advance gender equality, Gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls: Guidance for development partners serves as a helpful handbook. This advice was created with the programme cycle in mind, as well as other factors including the policy framework, analysis, design, and execution, as well as learning and assessment. It outlines the problems of how to best set up the internal organisational processes necessary to deliver on gender equality in all development and humanitarian assistance operations, as well as potential for boosting funding for gender equality with and beyond official development assistance (ODA). Effective development cooperation is based on strong leadership commitment and a solid policy framework that recognises the value of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. Members of the DAC are concentrating on gender-related inequities in light of the international resolve to leave no one behind. The necessity for transformational change is also widely acknowledged. In order to achieve transformative change for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, this Guidance outlines strategies for development partners to address unequal power relations and damaging structures and norms as well as entranced gender bias. Against the above backdrop, this chapter aims at critically analysing the significance and relevance of this Guidance in the combat against entrenched gender bias. It provides recommendations pertaining to whether this Guidance can be used in a contextualised manner for countries to adapt their legal framework accordingly to ensure that entrenched gender bias is eliminated from societies.

This article focuses on the impact of land investments in Mozambique. It examines the effects these land investments are having on local people’ access to food and sustenance, culture, land and water, and political engagement in some Mozambican provinces and areas. The next section critically evaluates whether human rights related to the aspects are being violated, as well as Mozambique’s legal obligations under both local and international law. The main goals are to alert the academic community to the negative impacts that land grab and investments have on local populations in Mozambique and to explain how these activities can be effectively stopped by using the normative framework now in place on human rights. It argues that foreign companies and investors in Mozambique are causing significant negative impacts on local communities, including livelihood, food, culture, land, and political participation. These issues are already protected by human rights law, and effective protection by the state could help combat land grabbing. Mozambique’s judiciary, civil society, and human rights institutions should work together to prevent local communities from being harmed.

Tourism is a vibrant business for many countries, and it has demonstrated its economic, socio-cultural, and environmental potential to many countries over the past decades. Island republics like Mauritius are successful examples of how to go from a monocrop economy to a well-known island resort with a diverse range of tourism activities. Mauritius is an idyllic destination classified as the 10th densely populated island with most of its tourists coming from European countries, France, the United Kingdom, Germany and Reunion Island, South Africa, and India (Statistics Mauritius, International travel and tourism. [Online]. Available from: https://statsmauritius.govmu.org/Documents/Statistics/ESI/2021/EI1567/Tourism_Yr20.pdf. Accessed: 17 June 2022, 2020). Despite its economic benefits, tourism remains a sensitive and vulnerable industry that must not be overlooked. The idea and philosophy of sustainable tourism arose globally as a means to address and limit potential negative tourism impacts. Since 2015, the World Tourism Organization has defined sustainable tourism as “one whose practices and principles can be applicable to all forms of tourism in all types of destinations, including mass tourism and the various niche tourism segments.” Given the importance of tourism growth for Mauritius, sustainable innovation in this sector has increased the good sides of tourism while reducing the negative repercussions on the environment, society, and culture. The Tourism Authority in Mauritius and the Collaborating Centre on Sustainable Consumption and Production (CSCP) created the SUS-ISLAND initiative; a project to foster pro-handprint innovation (a concept to describe positive and value-adding impacts of products and services, e.g., for the local community to prosper, preserve culture and nature, and the awareness of clients, tourists, locals) and simultaneously many niche markets are being prioritized. Innovatively over time, the tourism products in Mauritius have extended to now include medical tourism, wellness and spa, MICE-weddings, shopping tourism, heritage and cultural tourism, and sports tourism (e.g., kite-surf, golf, cycling, and trail) as major ones. People that travel to participate in any form of physical sports activity or event, either as participants or spectators, in urban or non-urban regions, inside or outdoors, and in various weather conditions or seasons, are referred to as sports tourists. Multiple local stakeholders ranging from the Ministry of Tourism and Leisure, the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA), and other registered associations, along with the private sector, have promoted leisure, recreational, and athletic activities. As land-based activities, we commonly find trails, golf, and horse riding, and water sports activities vary from water skiing, catamaran trips, stand-up paddles, kitesurfing, and deep sea fishing among many more. Mauritius has hosted several international sports events and competitions such as the Ferney Trail, the Surf-ski Week, Paradis Gold Challenge, the Ultra Trail Raid-light Beachcomber, the Indian Ocean Triathlon, and the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open Golf tournament among others. Accordingly, this chapter sets out to thoroughly understand the relevance and contributions of sports tourism for the local economy and further provides insights into the evolutionary journey of sports tourism in Mauritius. Furthermore, the chapter investigates and delves into the arising economic, socio-cultural, and environmental opportunities and challenges arising from sports tourism based on the core sports tourism domain. Objectively a critical literature review was completed, whereby sports tourism as part of the Mauritian tourism product was the focal point. Accordingly, while adopting a secondary data analysis, local action plans, strategies, and research works addressing sports tourism evolutions and contributions for Mauritius were studied. Through empirical observations made, the chapter further reports and summarizes the specific characteristics of Sports Tourism in Mauritius as well as its related socio-economic and environmental contributions are highlighted. Additionally, the diversified sports tourism product is explained while addressing the evolutionary journey of sports tourism for Mauritius.

The escalating prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCD) presents a concern in Mauritius. These diseases, caused by many factors, reflect the social, economic and environmental conditions within which people live and work. Type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension and obesity are the most prevalent among Mauritian adults. Within the framework of a comprehensive systems approach aiming at addressing the social determinants of health, there is a need for customised strategies for both management and prevention of non-communicable diseases. One such example is exercise referral. Exercise referral schemes (ERS) represent an emerging tool for helping people become more physically active and healthier. Evidence of their effectiveness is equivocal and lacks contextual insight into their value in a Mauritian context. Hence, this study serves to bridge this gap. We report the outcomes of a 20-week ERS. Two hundred sixty consenting adults recruited from Area Health Centres (AHC) and Mediclinic’s around Mauritius were assigned to one of two groups: intervention group (ERS + guidance and support by exercise referral consultant) or control group (exercise ‘advice’ from a general practitioner). Body mass index (BMI), grip strength, waist circumference, fasting blood sugar (FBS), HbA1c, lipid profile and blood pressure were measured at week 0, 10 and 20. This quasi-experimental longitudinal study successfully demonstrated improvements in parameters associated with risk factors for coronary heart disease, particularly among women in the intervention group. Significant reductions in weight, waist circumference, FBS and BMI at week 10 and 20 were noted. A less pronounced decline in parameters was observed in men, except for waist circumference, which reached near significance (p = 0.076). Using female participants as a primary focal point, this study supports the notion of exercise referral as part of a holistic treatment plan to control NCDs. We advocate future ERS initiatives prioritise a patient-centred comprehensive approach in design and implementation to ensure successful outcomes.

The Greymodels package presents an interactive interface in R for the statistical modelling and forecasting of incomplete or small datasets using grey models. The package, based on the Shiny framework, has been designed to work with univariate and multivariate datasets having different properties and characteristics. The functionality of the package is demonstrated with a few examples and in particular, the user-friendly interface is shown to allow users to easily compare the performance of different models for prediction and among others, visualize graphical plots of predicted values within a user chosen confidence interval. The built-in algorithms in the Greymodels package are extensions or hybrids of the GM$(1,\,1)$ model, and this article covers an overview of the theoretical background of the basic grey model and we also propose a PSO-GM$(1,\,1)$ algorithm in this package.

Mangroves are amongst the richest ecosystems in the world providing valuable goods and services to millions of people while enhancing the resilience of coastal communities against climate change induced hazards, especially island nations. However, these mangroves are severely affected by many anthropogenic activities. Therefore, understanding the spatial variability of mangroves in island nations is highly essential in the events of ongoing climatic change. Thus, this study assessed the use of remote sensing techniques and GIS to map and monitor mangrove cover change at selected sites, namely Le Morne and Ferney, on the tropical island of Mauritius. Freely available 2013 SPOT-5 and 2023 Sentinel 2A images were retrieved and processed using ArcGIS Pro tools and SNAP; mangroves were mapped based on Google Earth Pro historical imagery and ground truthing at the respective sites. Following the application of selected vegetation indices, GLCM and PCA analysis, mosaicked images were classified using the Random Trees algorithm. Kappa values of all the classified images were in the 90 s; Le Morne showed a significant increase in mangrove cover over the decadal scale with main class change from mudflat to mangroves. This study demonstrates how geo-spatial tools are crucial for monitoring mangroves as they provide spatially explicit and time sensitive information. Decision makers, researchers, and relevant stakeholders can utilize this data to bolster tailored mitigation and adaptation strategies at specific sites, thereby enhancing resilience to climate change.

Recently, the popularity of university rankings has grown significantly. They are considered a significant source of guidance for various stakeholders.Some of the most well-known rankings are the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings (QS), and Times Higher Education Rankings (THE). These ranking systems usedifferent parameters and methodologies, producing different ranking results.Here, we use data envelopment analysis (DEA) to obtain anaggregate ranking of universities based on the data of these established systems.Because of DEA's lack of discriminatory power, we considered the cross-efficiency method, which allows ordering among entities and removes unrealistic weight schemes without weight restrictions.Cross-efficiency evaluation is usually applied only to precise inputs and outputs.Since our data set does not include any input measures, DEA-WEI (Without Explicit Input) modelsare studied. To consolidate the classification, we consider the rankings of thethree systems, which are ordinal data. Hence, we develop a new cross-efficiency approach torank entities with imprecise data and WEI. In order to illustrate the applicability of our proposed model, we apply it to the rankings data and institutes of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. MSC Classification: 90C08 , 90C90

The purpose of this research is to investigate the effectiveness of ‘sponsored’ labelled targeted ads in Mauritius and whether these ads can impact the brand awareness and purchase intention of Meta group social media users. By adopting the Uses and Gratification Theory (UGT), this research brings forward a conceptual model of six constructs (customisation, informativeness, entertainment, intrusiveness, brand awareness and Purchase intention) to quantitatively understand the effectiveness of targeted ads on Meta Platforms. A sample of 382 students participated in the survey, where 333 valid responses were used for further analysis. In this research, Confirmatory Factor Analysis was utilised to examine the measurement model for brand awareness, customization, informativeness value, entertainment value, intrusiveness value, and purchase intention. The fit indices indicated a reasonable fit between the model and the data. Using Structural Equation Modelling to test the model, the regression weight between customisation, informativeness, entertainment, intrusiveness and brand awareness were statistically significant. The regression weight between brand awareness and purchase intention was also statistically significant. Practically, the findings emphasize the need for marketers and advertisers to invest in strategies that effectively increase brand awareness through targeted advertising.

Along with physical activity and exercise, maintaining a nutritious diet is crucial to preventing obesity and a number of illnesses like diabetes, stroke, and cardiovascular diseases. The development of solutions for the automatic monitoring of dietary intake has been made possible by recent advancements in machine learning applications for computer vision. They contribute in providing a seamless approach to track daily food consumption and regulate eating patterns with improved precision as compared to conventional systems which rely mainly on manual input. This survey examines modern vision-based algorithms based on machine learning used in autonomous dietary evaluation and presents their performance, usability as well as the limitations and obstacles which are yet to be solved.