Congratulations to Dr. Keshav Bhuckory, a member of the non-academic staff at UdM, who has just earned his PhD in Geotechnical Engineering, a specialisation within Civil Engineering. His achievement is a testament to perseverance, passion, and the pursuit of knowledge. We are proud to see our staff members reaching new academic heights and inspiring others to aim higher.  

1. What was the focus of your PhD research?

My PhD. is in the field of Geotechnical Engineering, which a specialisation of Civil Engineering and pertains to the behaviour of earth materials (soils and rocks), using the principles of soil mechanics to solve problems and enhance base constructions, soil excavations and also prevent disasters such as landslides among others. My thesis focussed on the sustainable stabilisation of soils to prevent landslides.  

2. What inspired you to pursue a PhD in Geotechnical Engineering?

Following my first 2 diplomas, my undergraduate degree, my masters degree, and getting chartered, I have always worked in the industry involved with excavation, base construction and landslide prevention. I have worked for the Japan International Coorperation Agency (JICA) under the outsourcing company Kokusai Kogyo Co. Ltd. as the Project Coordinator for Landlside Prevention in Mauritius under a bi-lateral agreement between the Government of Mauritius and the Government of Japan. During this time I had the opportunity to work wiith Japanese Doctors, who are world-leading experts in Geotechnical Engineering and have further pushed me towards this field which is in high demand in the world.  

3. What was the most challenging part of your PhD studies?

The  most challenging part of my studies was keeping my productivity up in terms of sample collection and laboratory experiments during the COVID-19 pandemic lock-down. Some equipment were not available at the university and I had to look for external laboratories. I also had to find the funding for buying some of the equipment. I had to import equipment from China, but most ports from China were closed during the pandemic, causing me delay in my research. Moreover, I had to learn new skills in the field of electronics to modify the apparatus coming from China since they use different electric frequencies as compared to Mauritius. Fortunately, I was the first student of the Université des Mascareignes to secure a full scholarship from the Higher Education Commission of Mauritius (HEC), which allowed me to be financially worry-free.  

4. How does your work contribute to solving real-world civil engineering problems

As my thesis focusses on the sustainable stabilisation of soils to prevent landslides, I have developped new techniques of stabilising landslide-prone areas, using by-products such-as bitumen and waste products such as crushed glass in an attempt to save lives and property, while reducing the burden of landfill disposal. This new method proved to be 14.3 times more efficient than some traditional stabilisation methods. This makes it a fully sustainable solution to lanslide prevention in terms of financial, social and environmental impact and in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations.  

5. What are your next steps after earning your PhD?

Since there are many materials that have yet to be researched in the field of Geotechnical Engineering, I intend to do more academic research concerning the same. I also wish to help the Government and private sector in terms of consultancy in Geotechnical Engineering, given the scarcity of qualified resource person in this field.  

6. What advice would you give to students considering a PhD in civil or geotechnical engineering?

A PhD is a great journey with many ups and downs. My advice to aspiring doctorate students is to never give up. It is not necessary to complete the PhD in the shortest time possible. A PhD, especially in the Engineering sector, varies in complexity. It is better to take some more time, but do the research well and excel in that field of study.  

Ritrik Ramma is currently pursuing his studies at ENSIL-ENSCI in Limoges. He shares with us his thoughts on the course, his experience as a student, and life in Limoges.

Can you tell us about the program you are pursuing in Limoges?
The program I’m pursuing is Electronics and Telecommunications. In my first year at ENSIL-ENSCI, I studied a lot of analog electronics, digital electronics, electronic board engineering, microwaves, computer science, and signal processing. We also had some common core subjects which gave me insight into other fields of engineering. I find that very interesting—it’s general knowledge that is useful to have when you become an engineer.

How different is the education system in France compared to Mauritius?
The main difference is that in Mauritius, we follow a British-based system. On a personal level, I find the level here higher, the courses and lectures are faster-paced, and you need to be very attentive. There is also a lot of practical work, which is great because it gives you hands-on experience.

What are some key skills or knowledge you’ve gained so far?
As I mentioned, there is a lot of practical work. From programming microprocessors and PLCs to mastering software like MATLAB, LabVIEW, and ADS (for microwave circuits), and even Excel, I’ve had the chance to learn new things and improve on what I already knew.

How do you see this academic experience contributing to your future career?

Having the “titre d’ingénieur” will be a great asset for my career—it will allow me to aim higher. I’m learning a lot, especially things that are directly relevant in the industry and in companies. With all the practical work and the internships I will do, I hope that by the end of my course, I’ll be able to adapt easily to any workplace.

How has your overall experience been living in Limoges?

Being bilingual really helps. The adaptation was relatively easy. Plus, we have a group of Mauritians here who help guide newcomers, which is great. Limoges has almost everything you might enjoy—restaurants, cinemas, and a good transport system.

What do you enjoy the most about life in Limoges?
I think Limoges has a great atmosphere for studying. It’s not too cold in winter, life is peaceful, there’s no violence, and there are many students from all over the world. You can build a network, and of course, we also have our own Mauritian community.

What advice would you give to future students preparing to study at ENSIL-ENSCI?
It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—seize it! Don’t forget what you learned at UdM; you’ll definitely use it again.

Through a trilateral agreement between the Université des Mascareignes, the French Embassy in Mauritius, and the engineering school of the Université de Limoges, scholarships are awarded to outstanding Mauritian students, giving them the opportunity to pursue their studies at ENSIL-ENSCI (École Nationale Supérieure d’Ingénieurs de Limoges).

We caught up with Tanvi Chandika Kishto, who is currently studying at ENSIL-ENSCI, as she shared her experience with us.

Can you tell us about the program you are pursuing in Limoges?
I am currently enrolled in the National Master’s Degree in Engineering, specializing in Electronics and Telecommunications at ENSIL-ENSCI. The program is very hands-on, combining theoretical knowledge with practical lab work.
In addition to specialized modules such as digital and analogue electronics, microwaves, and signal processing, we also have common core modules that cover fluid mechanics, programming, and even some accounting. This allows us to gain insight into other fields of engineering as well.

How different is the education system in France compared to Mauritius?
One major difference is the emphasis on practical learning in France. At ENSIL-ENSCI, we have regular laboratory sessions and group projects, which complement the theoretical lessons. The curriculum is also very structured and focused on specialization.

What are some key skills or knowledge you’ve gained so far?
I’ve gained strong technical skills in microcontrollers, embedded systems, and signal processing.
I’ve also had the opportunity to use engineering software such as LABVIEW, ADS (for microwave circuits), and CONTROL EXPERT (for drawing ladder diagrams and GRAFCET to control automatons).

How do you see this academic experience contributing to your future career?
This experience is not only enriching my technical knowledge but also providing valuable international exposure. With future internships and industrial visits planned over the next two years at ENSIL-ENSCI, I hope to become adaptable to a wide range of professional environments.

How has your overall experience been living in Limoges?
Living in Limoges has been a very positive experience. It’s a peaceful city with a welcoming atmosphere and a good balance between student life and cultural activities. The transition from Mauritius to Limoges was smooth, thanks to the guidance of former UDM students who are already living here.

What do you enjoy the most about life in Limoges?
I particularly enjoy the calm environment and the beautiful green spaces. It’s also rewarding to be part of a diverse student community made up of people from around the world — it’s a great opportunity to learn about many different cultures.

What advice would you give to future students preparing to study at ENSIL-ENSCI?
I would encourage them to be open-minded and to take full advantage of every academic and cultural opportunity. I’d also advise them not to forget the knowledge acquired at UDM — it will be very useful during their time at ENSIL-ENSCI.

How do you feel about this nomination?
My nomination as Head of the Doctoral School at the Université des Mascareignes enhances this sense of belonging and the feeling of being an integral part of a team at UdM. It’s indeed a great perception about being given the possibility to handle additional responsibility alongside my academic role. I’m delighted about this opportunity which would enable me to scale up my skills and grow professionally.

 

Can we attribute this achievement to your hard work and dedication?
I believe that dedication and hard work is always there, for all working people, but what makes the difference is going beyond working hard. What I mean here is, when we continue doing the hard work even after we get tired of doing the hard work we already did. That’s what I can say about my hard work and dedication. To some extent, it was also a question of availability. There are many academic colleagues at UdM who are already taken up with other additional responsibilities and cannot afford any add-on. Whereas, I was willing to take an auxiliary responsibility for the furtherance of the Doctoral School and UdM.

 

What are your plans or vision for the Doctoral School?
As Head of the Doctoral School my primary objective is to ensure that the relevant procedures for graduate students are followed and monitored regularly, and that appropriate provision is made for graduate studies to go on seamlessly, in line with regulations, Research policy, and Codes of Practice at UDM. Moreover, there is also a need for reinforcing materials, equipment and resources for the proper evolution of the Doctoral School. The aim is to provide adequate training and development initiatives and opportunities for higher degree by research candidates for the latter to develop capabilities and experience extending beyond their disciplinary knowledge. My vision is to contribute to the development of a powerful research and innovation environment at UdM that drives economic and social progress in Mauritius and worldwide.

 

Is there anything else you would like to highlight?
Research is a doorway, opening onto a whole new outlook on the world, it inspires something in you that makes you want to find out things. You need neither be especially clever nor especially gifted, you just need to be very curious. On that note I would like to thank the Director General of UDM, Dr. Radhakhrishna Somanah for inspiring us to become more and more academically curious and embark into academic Research. Also, a special word of thanks to my predecessor Dr. Swaleha Peeroo for having done a wonderful job. Thank you.

Throwback of the launching and presentation of the Alumni club of UdM which was held on 6th July at Voilà Bagatelle.

The event was graced by esteemed chief guests from various industries, including:
Ms. Swatee Umapaty, President of JCI Beau Bassin/Rose-Hill
Mr. Jean Marie Puran, General Manager of Sotravic Ltee
Mr. Hanauer Bertrand, CEO of Trainvest Construction
Prof. (Dr) Ramesh Durbarry, Director General of Civil Service College

Kudos to the incredible organizing team notably the President and Vice President of the Club, Mr. Durgesh Teeluckdharry & Ms. Rufaida Jeewon. Heartfelt thanks to our sponsors for making this event so special.