Ameenah Gurib-Fakim
Bibi Ameenah Firdaus Gurib-Fakim | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 17, 1959 Surinam, Mauritius |
| Occupation(s) | Biodiversity expert, politician |
| Years active | 1987–present |
| Known for | Sixth President of Mauritius (2015–2018), first female president of Mauritius |
Dr. Bibi Ameenah Firdaus Gurib-Fakim (born 17 October 1959) is a Mauritian biodiversity expert and politician who held the position of Mauritius' sixth president of Mauritius between 2015 and 2018. In December 2014, she was chosen as the presidential nominee for Alliance Lepep. After Kailash Purryag stepped down on 29 May 2015, her candidacy was unanimously ratified by the National Assembly, receiving endorsements from both Prime Minister Anerood Jugnauth and Opposition Leader Paul Berenger.
Gurib-Fakim made history as the first female president of Mauritius and became the third woman to occupy the role of Head of State, following Elizabeth II and her predecessor and inaugural Vice President, Monique Ohsan Bellepeau. In 2019, she delivered a keynote address at the "Africa Together: Which Way Forward?" conference held by the University of Cambridge.
Early life and education
Born in Surinam, Mauritius, on 17 October 1959, Bibi Ameenah Firdaus Gurib-Fakim completed her primary schooling in Saint-Patrice and attended Loreto Convent Quatre Bornes for secondary education. She graduated with a BSc in chemistry from the University of Surrey in 1983 and subsequently earned a PhD in organic chemistry from Exeter University. In 1987, she returned to Mauritius to join the University of Mauritius faculty.
Career
Gurib-Fakim was Managing Director at CIDP Research & Innovation (previously Cephyr, Centre for Phytotherapy Research). Since 2001, she held a personal chair in Organic Chemistry at the University of Mauritius, where she also served as Dean of the Faculty of Science and Pro–Vice Chancellor from 2004 to 2010. Her earlier roles included leading research efforts at the Mauritius Research Council between 1995 and 1997 and chairing the International Council for Scientific Union’s Regional Office for Africa from 2011 to 2014. In 2015, her presidential nomination by PM Anerood Jugnauth received unanimous approval by the National Assembly. She stepped down in 2018 amid a financial controversy during Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth’s administration. The presidency remained unoccupied until December 2019; Vice President Barlen Vyapoory acted as president until Prithvirajsing Roopun took office.
Vice-chancellor appointment
In December 2013, Gurib-Fakim lodged a complaint with the Mauritian Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC), alleging religious bias during her candidacy for Vice Chancellor at the University of Mauritius (UoM). The EOC found no evidence of discrimination but identified procedural weaknesses such as vague criteria and unclear assessment methods. The ultimate decision was made by Professor Jugessur, then-president of the UoM Council.
Subsequently, Gurib-Fakim resigned her professorship to found CIDP Research & Innovation, where she currently serves as Managing Director.
Personal life
She married Dr. Anwar Fakim, a surgeon, in 1988. They have two children: Adam (born 1992), a University of Kent alumnus, and Imaan, who pursued studies in Computer Science.
Controversies
After assuming the presidency, former Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam challenged Gurib-Fakim’s doctoral credentials and reiterated his concerns during the Platinum Card Scandal.
On 23 March 2018, Gurib-Fakim resigned following revelations by L'Express that disclosed her banking details related to personal expenses charged on a credit card tied to her role as Vice-Chairperson of the Planet Earth Institute (PEI). Although these expenditures had been reimbursed a year earlier, scrutiny intensified due to business trips funded by PEI with government approval and controversies surrounding PEI founder Álvaro Sobrinho. Additionally, Gurib-Fakim had requested that the Financial Services Commission grant Sobrinho a banking license to administer PASET Funds.
In June 2018, the Mauritian government initiated a Commission of Inquiry into alleged breaches of constitutional and legal provisions by Gurib-Fakim, headed by Judge Asraf Ally Caunhye. Prior to her resignation, she had independently appointed Sir Hamid Moollan to lead an earlier investigation into Sobrinho’s conduct. Despite nearly three years of hearings, this inquiry remains unresolved.
National distinctions
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- Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (GCSK)
- Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (CSK)
International distinctions
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- Member of the Order of Academic Palms, 3rd Class (French national order)
- Castroan Royal Family of Two Sicilies
- Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Francis I (dynastic honour)
Awards and accolades
Gurib-Fakim has been honored with numerous global awards, such as the L'Oréal-UNESCO Award for Women in Science in 2007, recognition as a Laureate by the National Economic and Social Council (2007), and the CTA/NEPAD/AGRA/RUFORUM accolade for ‘African Women in Science.’ Additionally, she received the African Union Award for Women in Science. In 2008, she was named Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (CSK) for her significant contributions to science and education. The French government bestowed upon her the title ‘Chevalier de l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques’ in 2009. Upon assuming the presidency, she was promoted to Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (GCSK). Gurib-Fakim also earned a place among Reputation Polls International’s list of the 100 Most Reputable Africans.
Domestic awards
- : Laureate awarded by the National Economic and Social Council
International and foreign awards
- African Union: African Union Award recognizing 'Women in Science' (2009)
- African Union: CTA/NEPAD/AGRA/RUFORUM Laureate for 'African Women in Science' (2009)
- : Honorary doctorate conferred by Pierre and Marie Curie University
- : Fellowship at the Jordanian Islamic Academy of Science
- : Fellow status at the African Institute of Science and Technology
- : Recipient of the L'Oréal-UNESCO Award for Women in Science for Africa
- : Elected Fellow of the Linnean Society of London (2007)
- : Awarded the 2024 International Women of the Year at EPG's 16th Annual Political & Public Life Awards held at the House of Commons of the United Kingdom
Scholarly publications
(Many additional academic articles emphasize antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antioxidant, and pharmacological characteristics of medicinal plants predominantly from Mauritius, underscoring her impact on pharmaceutical research and traditional medicine.)
General audience works
- Plantes médicinales de l'Île Rodrigues (1994)
- Plantes médicinales de Maurice (1995)
- Natural toxins and poisonous plants of Mauritius (1999)
- Maurice par les plantes médicinales (2002)
- Mauritius through its medicinal plants (2002)
- Molecular and therapeutic aspects of redox biochemistry (2004)
- An illustrated guide to the flora of Mauritius and the Indian Ocean Islands (2003)
- Medicinal Plants of the Indian Ocean Islands (2004)
- Guide illustré de la flore de Maurice et des îles de l'Océan Indien (2004)
- Biodiversity towards drugs development (2005)
- Booklet on 'Medicinal Plants at the state House, Le Réduit' (2005)
- Lesser-known and under-utilised plant resources (2005)
- Ressources végétales méconnues et sous-utilisées (2005)
- Guide illustré de la flore de Maurice et des îles de l’Océan Indien (2006)
- Medicinal Plants of Mauritius and of the World (2007, 2011)
- Plantes médicinales de Maurice et d’ailleurs (2007, 2011)
- Plantes d’hier et médicaments d’aujourd’hui (2008)
- Mieux connaître les arbres et arbrisseaux de Maurice et des îles de l'Océan Indien (2008)
- Towards a better understanding of Trees and Shrubs of Mauritius and the Indian Ocean Islands (2009)
- African Herbal Pharmacopoeia (2010)
- Guide des plantes tropicales de l'Île Maurice et de La Réunion (2011)
- Trees of the World (2013)