Ameenah Gurib

Her Excellency
Ameenah Gurib
GCSK CSK
6th President of Mauritius
Assumed office
5 June 2015
Prime Minister Anerood Jugnauth
Vice President Monique Ohsan Bellepeau
Barlen Vyapoory[1]
Preceded by Monique Ohsan Bellepeau (Acting)
Personal details
Born (1959-10-17) 17 October 1959
Surinam, Mauritius
Political party Independent
Spouse(s) Anwar Fakim (1988–present)
Children Adam
Imaan
Residence State House
Alma mater University of Surrey
University of Exeter
Religion Islam

Bibi Ameenah Firdaus Gurib-Fakim, GCSK CSK[2][3] (born 17 October 1959)[4] is a Mauritian biodiversity scientist who serves as President of Mauritius since 2015. In December 2014, she was selected to be the presidential candidate of the Alliance Lepep. After Kailash Purryag resigned on 29 May 2015, both Prime Minister Sir Anerood Jugnauth and Leader of the Opposition Paul Berenger positively welcomed her nomination, which was unanimously approved in a vote in the National Assembly.

Gurib-Fakim is the first woman elected President of the country and is the third woman to serve as Head of State following Elizabeth II and Monique Ohsan Bellepeau, who acted as President in 2012 following the resignation of President Anerood Jugnauth, and again in 2015 following the resignation of President Kailash Purryag.

She worked as Managing Director of CIDP Research & Innovation (formerly Cephyr, Centre for Phytotherapy Research), where she devoted her time to researching the medical and nutritive implications of indigenous plants of Mauritius.[5] Previously, she was a Professor with a personal chair in Organic Chemistry at the University of Mauritius (2001) and where she served successively as Dean of the Faculty of Science and Pro–Vice Chancellor (2004–2010). She also worked at the Mauritius Research Council as Manager for Research (1995–1997).[6] She served as the Chairperson the International Council for Scientific Union – Regional Office for Africa (2011–2014).[7]

Gurib-Fakim has also been the recipient of various international awards including the L'Oréal-UNESCO Award for Women in Science (2007), Laureate for the National Economic and Social Council (2007), the CTA / NEPAD / AGRA / RUFORUM for ‘African Women in Science’ and the African Union Award for Women in Science.[6] She was also made Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (CSK) by President Anerood Jugnauth in 2008 for her contribution in the education and the scientific sector. She was awarded the Order of the ‘Chevalier de l’Ordre des Palmes Academiques’ by the Government of France in 2009.[8] Upon becoming President, she was automatically elevated to the highest civilian award of Grand Commander of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (GSCK).[9]

Early life and education

Ameenah Gurib was born in the village of Surinam on 17 October 1959, to parents Hassenjee Gurib and Firdaus Durgauhee. She grew up in Plaine Magnien and completed her studies at the primary school in Saint-Patrice. She then moved to Mahébourg Loreto Convent, finishing her Higher School Certificate at Loreto convent Quatre Bornes before flying to England for her license in chemistry. She graduated from the University of Surrey in 1983 with a BSc degree in chemistry. After obtaining her PhD degree in organic chemistry at Exeter University, she returned home in 1987 to take employment at the University of Mauritius.[10]

Presidential styles of
Ameenah Gurib-Fakim
Presidential seal
Reference style Her Excellency, Dr. (Mrs.) Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, President of the Republic of Mauritius
Spoken style President Dr. Gurib-Fakim
Alternative style Madam The President

Personal life

In 1988, she married Dr. Anwar Fakim who is a surgeon. She has two children; a son and a daughter. She is currently resident of the town of Quatre-Bornes, Mauritius. She lives with her husband, children and her elderly parents.

Vice-chancellor appointment

In December 2013 Dr. Gurib-Fakim made a complaint to the Mauritian Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) alleging religious discrimination in the consideration of her application for Vice Chancellor of the University of Mauritius (UoM). The EOC investigation found that this was not the case, but noted shortcomings in the selection process. The report cited the lack of clear criteria and mark sheets for evaluating candidates. Similarly, the last word went to Professor Jugessur, then president of the Council of the UoM if tiebreak.[11]

Gurib-Fakim eventually left her position as Professor at the University to open her own science center known as CIDP Research & Innovation where she is the Managing Director.

Honours and awards

Honours

National honours

Foreign honours

National awards

Foreign and international awards

Bibliography

Academic works

Popular publications

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Presidents of Mauritius.

References

  1. 303, Belson (4 April 2015). "Mauritius has a new Vice-President". newsfeed.mu. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
  2. "Prime Minister's Office - National Day Honours 2008". Republic of Mauritius.
  3. 1 2 "Her Excellency Dr. (Mrs) Bibi Ameenah Firdaus Gurib-Fakim, G.C.S.K., C.S.K President of the Republic of Mauritius". The President of the Republic. Retrieved 2015-06-05.
  4. "Ameenah Gurib-Fakim : " Je suis une emmerdeuse, c'est ça ? "". Retrieved 2015-05-31.
  5. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim. "Ameenah Gurib-Fakim: Humble plants that hide surprising secrets - TED Talk - TED.com". ted.com.
  6. 1 2 http://www.icsu.org/icsu-africa/about-icsu-roa/about-us/files/ShortBiographyProfFakim.pdf
  7. "Prof. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim Joins SAA - Spa & Wellness Association of Africa". Retrieved 2015-06-04.
  8. "Gurib-Fakim, Ameenah".
  9. "National Awards Act - Act 53 of 1992" (PDF). Republic of Mauritius Attorney General's Office. 1 February 1993.
  10. "AMEENAH GURIB-FAKIM: "Cette nomination a déjà fait sauter quelques verrous"". lemauricien.com.
  11. "EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES COMMISSION—AFFAIRE GURIB-FAKIM: Troublantes révélations sur les promotions à l'UoM". lemauricien.com.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "ICSU-ROA Committee Member- Biography for ICSU Website" (PDF). International Council for Science. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
  13. http://president.govmu.org/English/The-President/Pages/Profile.aspx
  14. http://www.realcasadiborbone.it/onorificenza-conferita-s-presidente-della-repubblica-delle-mauritius-ameenah-gurib-fakim/
  15. http://www.upmc.fr/en/university/history_and_famous_people/doctors_honoris_causa/dhc_2013/ameenah_gurib_fakim.html
Political offices
Preceded by
Monique Ohsan Bellepeau
Acting
President of Mauritius
2015–present
Incumbent
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