Academic excellence. Graduation. Lifelong connections. This has been a season of celebration at Curtin Mauritius. We honoured students on the Vice Chancellor’s List, cheered our graduates as they embarked on their next chapter, and welcomed alumni back for an evening of reconnection and new beginnings. Moments like these are what the Curtin Mauritius experience is built on.
Excellence, Recognised
The Vice Chancellor’s List has been a proud Curtin University tradition since 1991, when it was first introduced by Curtin Fellow Dr John Walsh. It remains one of the most prestigious academic honours a Curtin student can receive. This semester, 53 students at Curtin Mauritius earned a place on the list, representing the top one percent of academic achievers across the university, based on their semester weighted course average. Each recipient receives a certificate, a notation on their academic transcript, and the iconic lapel pin, a design created in 1991 by artist Bronwyn Goss, inspired by the pinecone as a symbol of learning and growth. Students who graduate with VC List membership will also have it noted on their Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement and receive a special cord at the ceremony.
Celebrating Our Highest Academic Performer of 2025
Congratulations to Fahim Damaree on his outstanding achievements throughout his Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting and Finance. Fahim completed his degree with an overall course weighted average of 91.3%, earning 22 High Distinctions out of 24 study units and a place on the Vice Chancellor’s List in all six consecutive semesters of his studies. He has also received the 2025 Curtin Business School Student Excellence Award, and was honoured with the Eclosia Dux Award, presented by Mr Cédric de Spéville, CEO of Eclosia Group.
Being on the Vice Chancellor’s List is more than an academic milestone. It is a mark of dedication, and a reminder that excellence inspires those who come after.
The Big Day
Curtin Mauritius celebrated the achievements of 409 graduating students at the Trianon Convention Centre.
Among the graduates were 83 international students from 16 countries, primarily from the African continent. The ceremony also saw the first seven graduates of the Master of Science in Applied Psychology, a new programme offered by the institution. This cohort holds special significance, coinciding with 22 years of partnership between Charles Telfair Education and Curtin University. Since its founding, the institution has now produced more than 16,700 graduates, active across a wide range of sectors in both the Mauritian and African economies.
An Evening to Reconnect
Our annual alumni cocktail brought together graduates, friends, and partners for an evening of celebration, reconnection, and shared pride in the Curtin Mauritius community. The highlight of the evening was the inaugural Curtin Mauritius Alumni Awards, recognising graduates who go above and beyond to make tomorrow better for all, across three categories: Professional Achievement, Young Achievement, and Community Service.
Professional Achievement Award — Business & Law
Stéphane Poupinel de Valencé, CEO of Beachcomber Resorts and Hotels, was recognised for his extensive leadership and strategic vision. Since joining in 2018, he has played a pivotal role in the organisation’s growth and the creation of Semaris. A Curtin University graduate with an MBA from Sorbonne/Paris-Dauphine, Stéphane has built a distinguished career across leading business groups.
Professional Achievement Award — Humanities
Gunadevi Chengalaram Valaythen has risen from an entry-level role to a group-level communications position at ABC Group in just nine years. With experience across multiple sectors and international operations, she brings strong strategic insight and expertise in corporate and crisis communications, while also dedicating time to mentoring the next generation of professionals.
Young Achievement Award
Arshad Naushad, Director and Head of Compliance and MLRO at Inventure Limited, was recognised for his outstanding career in Compliance and AML. Having reached senior leadership by age 27, he has earned multiple excellence awards and led the development of a startup bank’s compliance framework, setting a benchmark for young professionals in the sector.
Community Service Award
Dr Hemant Bessoondyal was honoured for over 31 years of distinguished service in education. As UNESCO Chair in Higher Education from 2022 to 2024, he advanced international collaboration and strengthened tertiary education systems. A former Director of the Mauritius Institute of Education, Dr Bessoondyal was awarded the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean, Mauritius’s highest national honour, in recognition of his exceptional contributions.
