A Memorandum of Understanding for the implementation of the mytGPT Educational Platform Pilot Project was signed, yesterday, by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Human Resource, Mr Doonunjoy Dassaye, and the Chief Executive Officer of Mauritius Telecom, Mr Veemal Gungadin, in Port Louis.

The mytGPT Educational Platform is an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered platform designed to support students, teachers, and parents across the education system. The initiative aims at creating a more personalised, accessible, and resilient education system by enabling learners and educators to access high-quality content anytime, anywhere. The project also aligns with the broader national strategy of leveraging AI as a transformative tool to propel greater efficiency, productivity, and innovation across all sectors of the Mauritian economy.

The Minister of Education and Human Resource, Dr Mahend Gungapersad; the Minister of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation, Dr Avinash Ramtohul; and other personalities were present at the signing ceremony.

In his address for the occasion, Dr Gungapersad welcomed the implementation of the platform which coupled with empathy, and emotional intelligence can contribute to the holistic development of the students. He was adamant that the collaborative endeavour marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to improve Mauritius’ education system, by harnessing the power of AI for a more inclusive future for the nation’s students. He dwelt on the benefits of AI in enhancing teaching outcomes, and particularly in creating personalised learning pathways for students facing challenges in the classroom.

The Minister also stressed the importance of equipping educators, school administrators and relevant stakeholders with the knowledge to effectively utilise the platform. Dr Gungapersad informed that the pilot project would be rolled out, in the first instance, in one primary school and one secondary establishment across each of the four Educational Zones. Initially, the pilot project was launched at Maréchal College in Rodrigues to test the platform’s effectiveness and identify areas for improvement before wider deployment.

As for the Minister of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation, he highlighted the collaborative nature of the project, stressing the importance of breaking down silos and fostering cooperation between institutions. He underlined the necessity for Mauritius to become an AI-ready nation and maintain its competitive edge in a rapidly evolving global landscape.

According to Dr Ramtohul, AI can play a key role in supporting students in their learning curve. He further reiterated Government’s commitment to inclusivity, focusing on bridging the digital divide, particularly for the 9,700 individuals listed on the Social Register of Mauritius. On that score, he announced that old computers from the Ministry would be refurbished to ensure that students from vulnerable families have access to the tools necessary for their learning.