| | The laureate scheme | | | | Modifier la taille du texte: | A | | | A | | |
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| | Par:- Surendra Bissoondoyal
On 18/02/2010 |
We have, over the years, developed a tendency to prioritize superfi cial solutions to complex issues. No sooner had the award of 31 scholarships to the best ranked Higher School Certifi cate (HSC) students been made public that the laureate scheme started to come under fi re: it should be abolished!
This simplifi cation of the issue of scholarships for studies abroad is not the answer to a proper study of the increasing need for human resource development (HRD) and meritocracy in a country that ambitions to be a tiger in this part of the world.
It is a fact that we are spending a lot of money (around Rs 165 million) on only 31 students, many of whom do not return to Mauritius after their studies abroad. This amount could certainly be used more judiciously, notwithstanding the largesse with which governments squander the contribution of taxpayers in unproductive sectors. As we move into the knowledge sector of the economy Mauritius needs to have a solid base of human resources at the highest level.
We all now live - and work-in a global village, which requires that we take a global approach to our human resource development. Having said this, we have to take a realistic view of higher education as it exists in Mauritius today. The University of Mauritius has come a long way from the days it was providing mainly certifi cate and diploma courses. But its student population still reflects that of a small university unable to cost effectively offer a wider range of courses, and its overdependence on State funding limits its access to resources and its fi eld of action.
The University of Technology of Mauritius (UTM), put together hurriedly in the year 2000, still does not have a proper campus. We have therefore to ask ourselves: Do facilities for higher studies in all disciplines exist locally? Will the public and private sectors prefer graduates from the UK and other well-known universities abroad? Will we not then continue to favour those who can afford to attend the best universities overseas and at the same time getting a global exposure?
Why scrap the laureate scheme altogether when we can convert it into another scheme that will allow for a more judicious use of the funds available? The UoM had, in the past, negotiated with the Universities of Manchester and Newcastle to provide a degree course in medical sciences which would allow students to be exempted from the fi rst two years of their medical course. Similarly, the best students of the UoM obtain scholarships from the UK and French governments to study for a Master’s degree in UK or France. Global exposure is essential in today’s global village and schemes can easily be devised between the Mauritian universities and overseas universities to make it possible for students to spend one year abroad during their undergraduate studies or for a postgraduate study.
Scholarships along these lines can then be offered to all those on the list of best ranked HSC students instead of asking them to study in Mauritius for the full duration of their studies.
It is a fact that the majority of laureates do not come back to Mauritius after their studies. How can we insist that they come back when there is no guarantee of a job here?
In Europe, the USA, Canada and Australia they would have been offered a job even before completing their studies. They are certainly not prepared to come back and “tourne pouce” waiting for manna to drop from heaven.
A guarantee of employment on a 2-year contract basis would see more laureates returning to Mauritius. Of course, human resource development is much broader than just a laureate scheme. Bursaries, soft loans, continuing education and staff development have to form an integral part of HRD.
The ten countries grouped together under the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) : Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and others have put together a scheme to provide scholarships for the “nurturing of young minds”.
There are also exchange programs to enable students to study in different environments. Mauritius, which depends to a large extent on its human resources for its development, needs to recognize talents and reward efforts on the basis of meritocracy and excellence, a feature which is not so evident in the country.
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| brijjb | | | During its electoral campaign of 2005 elections, the Labour party made the statement "pas capav boeuf travay suval manzer". After elections what is that party doing?
1 After it fought to abolish ranking, today the government is shifting its compensation from competent children (who could have been boursier in the previous system) to the incompetent ones. This is why ranking was abolished and ZEP was introduced! The ZEP program is financed by public money the minister should come and tell (a) how much public money is spent for ZEP? and (b) what ZEP has brought to the country? Also, public money is paid to buy students’ books and pay for their exams. Many of those books are never returned and many students never appear for the exams. Bunwaree must come and tell (a) how much public money is thus wasted (b) why his ministry has been ineffective to retrieve the money wasted and (c) why he does not talk about this issue when he appears in the media?
2 To penalize devoted teachers & students, Bunwaree is attacking private tuition which is conducted by mutual agreement between students/parents & teachers. In doing so, he is using the MBC to alienate public from teachers (considered to be a profession) he is tarnishing the image of teachers in the public.
3 Not even laureates are spared! According to what he says, he wants to reduce the privileges from meriting laureates to give to the students coming just after. Who can guarantee that this will be respected?? Does the list of students receiving scholarship ever made public? With Bunwaree's system, the policy-makers will have more opportunity to compensate their close ones who did not come with flying colours during exams.
| | | Anoup | | | Who said there won't be competition??!!! The system is being replaced by new system where there will still be competition for scholarships. Actually there will be more scholarships so as to give even more opportunities for good students to attend universities. The cut-throat competition is being eliminated for more sane competition. For those who want to finance those huge tuition fees in foreign universities, pay it out of your own pocket, especially that laureateship is just another route for some people to emigrate from this country and let others face the effects of brain and cash drain out of Mauritius. Our universities cater for our needs. Some laureates choose to study stuffs for which Mauritius don't have a pressing need but these people just don't care about Mauritius in the end. Make our universities better and promote them instead financing foreign universities through this evil scheme. | | | Mike | | | One of the main things to bear in mind on this issue is that the laureate's education is being paid by the tax payer, i.e the whole population. As such, it is only fair that the country as a whole benefits from this "investment", but this is not the case with only 25% of laureates coming back. It has been mentioned that laureates get a job abroad right after getting their degree, as if it is not possible in Mauritius. Have they even tried? I have friends who were laureates and they got jobs as soon as they came back. The thing is that many laureates just stay abroad without even trying to secure a job in Mauritius first. Another issue raised here also is the "bond" which laureates are supposed to be liable to. The question is: do they really pay back the bond when they stay abroad and do not come back? This is a question to be asked to the ministry of education. If they pay back the bond, then all is good, the country recoups its money. Nobody forbids the laureates to work abroad, as long as it is after they have worked for the country for several years first. And to answer somebody on this blog who seems to think that wanting to change the status quo is to be biased against laureates, just remember that the laureates are in debt towards the country because their overseas education is rendered possible by the whole Mauritian population. | | | citta | | | It's equally true that we also lose our locally trained brains when they choose to emigrate to work in and for foreign countries of adoption.We invest huge amounts in their education for 18 years : 1 yr pre-primary +6yr primary +7/8 yr secondary + 4yr tertiary as most attend public funded institutions. Then when job doesn't come, the only solution is to fly for greener pastures. And no one can morally retain and force them to stay and serve the motherland and her other children who contributed to their education ! Or can we order them to take up those tasks / jobs that other Mauritians have always refused to perform ? May be some will be tempted to prevent such prospective Mauritians from leaving the country unless they pay back all the money invested on them locally ! Can this logic be eventually and successfully considered to make good the billions mysteriously disappearing through our various ministries , an occurrence that the Audit Bureau is alarming about year in year out ? | | | Triptophan | | | Emigration or Brain Drain: Who pays?
Our mentality that the “grass is always greener on the other side” is perhaps a function of our socio-economic and historico-political reality. The late G.Duval was unashamedly pro-emigration. Many Mauritians will tell you that the value of us continuing to learn English and French is in that it equips us to live abroad. It so happens that most of our “laureates” opt to live abroad. The sheer exposure to cultures ( both Eastern and Western) which are much more diverse, psychologically more stimulating, richer in humanitarian values and harnessed with moral, legal and scientific accomplishments, provide for the Mauritian migrants abroad not only opportunities and hope but also dignity and respect that years of schooling at home could never have envisaged. “ le voyage fait l’homme!” The “laureates”, and indeed most Mauritian migrants, will continue to be attracted to live and make a living abroad.
Where is the logic in us enriching the coffers of foreign countries by subsidizing the education of the so-called “laureates” whom we know will not return? It would be rather more beneficial if these monies were invested into our local university’s funds, and our best elements be supported to continue their education at home, hence adding value to our educational system.
The bottom line is: if one competes for state scholarship, one chooses to go to the University of Mauritius, or any of its affiliates, with the “moral” duty to contribute to the “well being” of the Mauritian society.
…But then we should have the right to expect moral behavior from people of all walks of life.
| | | Anoup | | | It is false to say that this scheme is not being scrapped but rather it is being replaced by a new scheme which will allow more than 400 students to get helps to get tertiary education based on merits instead of only 31 students. Note that Mr Gokhool canceled the scholarships that were given those ranked after the laureates. I'm glad that Mr Bunwaree is at least doing something instead of the status quo accepted by past ministers. BTW Mr Bunwaree had announced this move quite a long time ago, not just now because of the proclamation of the laureates. Regarding the global exposure, we should follow how developed countries do it through the creation and development of countless number of exchange programs. Take a look at how many US, European and Australian universities have set up campus in Singapore as well as the numerous exchange programs NUS has with other universities, adding to their scheme of encouraging foreign reputable professors coming to teach in Singapore. Lack of fund starts by the simple fact that, with the laureate scheme, we, poor Mauritian taxpayers are funding already rich universities. An investment going to the toilet if the the fruit of that investment don't come back. | | | Baltazar | | | No scholarship means no competition,no motivation, no elite = NO PROGRESS. Just like expatriates who are not encouraged to return back to serve, so do laureates. And our leaders are still hiring foreign experts. Latest proposal : the GM should hire a foreigner to govern the BM. | | | Sanchita | | | They don't want to come back? Why not change the bond they sign up to 10 times the amount awarded to them, payable within 12 months of the award of their degree, and liaising with the immigration department of the country they are going to study rendering any eventual allowance to work permit void because of the legal agreement they have signed up for..... Mauritius does not provide for the elite because the elite is not there to provide a good base..... and it has to start from somewhere...sooner rather than later... | | | Yashna | | | Jimmy, you seem to be very biased against laureates and I would appreciate if you stopped writing lies such as laureates being cheaply exploited or doing work the Brits don't do, it seems you have never met a laureate and have no knowledge of what they do, most of them were ranked highly worldwide, attend top universities and get a job as soon as they get a degree, now what do you think the situation would be for these same people in Mauritius? And what on earth does your 'little india' comment has to do with the laureate issue? Please stop showing bigotry and be a little more open-minded, the world is a global village but if you see no further than the tip of your nose, it's no wonder you won't see it like that. | | | joy | | | I appreciate the suggestions made and they should be considered. Those who rank just after laureates are equally deserving and our system need to provide for them too and thus making it fairer. On the other hand, I do not agree with the fact that some laureates do not come back because they don't get a job here. The truth is otherwise: Those concerned need to be a little patirotic: after having beneficiated free education at all levels and a scholarship as well from Tax Payer's money, they need to be given a job as well? When will they become independent and responsible. May be the country should also find a partner for them, marry them, get the children for them and thus the cycle would start again for the children of the elites. What I expect from the laureates is, wherever they are, they think of their motherland, they think of those who have contributed for thier success and give something to those in need. In short laureates should also become examples to follow. We don't need the elite to have a mentality of 'milking the cow'. Finally, many of those who stay behind do so because of higher salaries et vinne fer grand-noir ici... | | | Starbright | | | Brain Drain is a phenomenon in which people of a high level of skills, qualifications, and competence, leave their countries and emigrate.One major case of the brain drain happens when students from developing countries studying in developed countries decide not to return after their studies.What are the reasons for international students' inclination to stay in their host countries? A survey was carried out on a sample of thousands of students who came to study in Britain and the United States.The results support a three-fold model of factors that influenced this inclination. Students' perceptions of ethnic differences and labor markets,their adjustment process to the host country, and their family ties in host and home countries,all affect their intention to stay. | | | navin | | | THe dinausaur system of laureates must be abolished.A larger pool of cash must be made available to everyone who wishes to pursue their studies /further studies.Money can be loaned at favourable interest rate,not exceeding two point five per cent and repayable over a period not exceeding seven years.Borrowers must insure their loans at their own expense.Loans become repayable,the moment the course ,embarked upon by the student,is completed.Monitoring of the student's progress is compulsory and part of the conditions for the student to be granted a loan,in the first place.Too many brillant HSC and SC achievers have been abandonned by the country over the last forty years.Courses will include first degrees,apprenticeship,skill upgrade etc.tThose topping HSC exams can still obtain a cash reward ,not exceeding eight thousand rupees per student.Education is on going and is not cocerned solely wih SC,HSC,CPE.Courses can be both vocational and non vocational. | | | Garam Masala | | | Missier la fer ene analyse bien siperficiel ek incoherent, mais napa propose nanrien pou remplace system ki prodire elite ki tou pays ki envi progresser bizin. Sistem laureat mette competition entre zelev ek sa rehausse niveau general. Sans sa nou kapav imaziner ki resiltats HSC ti pou été.
UoM, enkor ene fois, kouma tou sa ki appel sekter piblik, li ena bokou paresse. Nek dir nou ki resserche digne de ce nom ki sorti depi UoM. Par example, kot la voix sa banne gran gran genie UoM la dan debat lor la lang kreol ki d'actualité! Zero plombaz!
Sirtou ein pe de modestie, Missier - pa alle compare UoM avec Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, Stanford, etc, ou pou passe pou ene komik, kuma nou dir dan nou zoli kreol!
Dir moi komien 'professors' UoM ine deza primé pou resserche ki zot fine fer/piblier? Ek mo pas pe coze Prix Nobel, mais bann tipti tipti prix?
Kifer enan autan professionel etranger employer Moris, mais nou banne laureats ki gradier pas revini, dapre sa ki Missier la pretane? Nou mem la faute - nou complexer vis a vis etranzer, sirtou la po blanc. Nou pou paie etranzer gros la paie ki pou fer nou leker gros ek zalouzi pou paie ene Morisyen ki kapav pli bon. Example? MCB exister depi 1838, ek sans auken doute li mem Best la banque, ek de memoire d'homme, tou so banne chefs Morisyen. Nek gette lot la, SBM 'Born to stay ahead', nek etranzer ki bon pou roule li depi ki li ezister!
Aster Missier Basant Roi ki ti Gouverner BoM li mem, pe dir bizin nomme ene Gouverner etranzer apre Bheenick - li pas gagne honter ! | | | Kris | | | An appropriate and resounding response to Bunwaree's decrying and whimpering heard since not this year but ever since last year when he handled the 2008 HSC results as the new MOE&HR minister. Listening to his lame views about laureates and the state scholarships awarded to the deserving youngsters makes one doubt about his being really part of Alliance Sociale during their famous political campaign in 2005 ! Were they then fooling the Labour Party electorate? Isn't it as if they were all out to " cretiniser "the latter?They were shouting "boeuf travaille boeuf meme bisin manzer ". Today you all or only Banwaree seem to have sunk into oblivion.
It is indeed a great pity to hear this minister uttering everywhere, to justify i don't know what, that one laureate answered by YES and NO to one local newspaper reporter.He must look around in the present parliament how so beautifully the very heavily paid honourable members speak on the rare occasions when they are urged, compelled to open their mouth.It is evident that for political mileage, politicians do contradict themselves and flush their manifesto presented to the electorate down into the toilet .They must remind themselves that not all people can be fooled all the time.They must also remember that " THE IDES OF MARCH" is not too far ahead.Luckily we still do believe in the doomsday. Mr Bissoondoyal , Sir, you deserve to be thanked for having given your free advice to these low thinking people. | | | Chetan | | |
Eliminating the rat race: Bunwaree laid the foundations for a thinking society with such bold propositions that included the projected scrapping of the elitist system. This was followed, as expected, by such simplistic comments from pseudo experts as “akoz ou zenfant pas laureat ou p dire sa”.
This is far from being an issue springing out of any form of jealousy or feeling of resentment. It has to do with the simple realization that this present system which thrives on parrot learning is ending up doing more harm than good. It also has to do with the return on investment which is simply not worth the amount of money devoted to such an endeavour. Especially so, if the greater part of the country’s nationally funded eminence grise’s only aim is to pad its bank accounts by working abroad. Not that there is anything wrong with that. But not with studies financed by taxpayers’ money.
Others claimed that they would not return to the country because of the lack of meritocracy and corruption that phagocytes it. But are those acute issues pertinent to Mauritius only? Are they not present in even the most developed of countries? The greatness of all responsible citizens consists in helping change their country for the better instead of deciding to escape to foreign shores. | | | Em | | | I agree with Mr Bissoondoyal, if the current scholarship system is abolished, it needs to be replaced by a different system. And as I said in an earlier post, spending a year abroad in a different environment is highly beneficial. Having said that, the current bursaries are allocated in a very unfair manner and academic excellence should not be the only determining factor as such the laureates scheme has to go. Is is unjust that only a handful of students should benefit from a very expensive scheme. Universities around the world are getting better everyday. The Uk should not be the only focus of our youths. The government and the university of mauritius need to find new partnerships with other universities in the world. Mr Bissoondoyal raises a very interesting point, the employment prospects of mauritian graduates. Can the government / university of mauritius invite employers to be less biased against UOM graduates. An apprenticeship scheme maybe? | | | jimmy | | | There is a contracdiction when you say Uom does not provide the basis to compete on the global village.I leave it up to you to define this fiction that is global village.On the other hand the laureates will not come back with no work for those elites. So, according to you we should stay helpless and let brits steal our best students for free we pay they enjoy.The thing is that our laureates are just cheaply exploited to work in the NHS and banks and do the type of work the Brits do not want to do or are paid cheaply and work off social hours in the banks.So we cannot afford to pay for overseas scholarships but laureates should only have UOM which prepare for our local demand in civil services and education.Those who want to go overseas and work abroad should do on their own means.Mauritus does need local talents to work in the local market such as tourism,textile,finance and agriculture.you see my friend there is no adequacy between our local demand and the type of graduates we need...This is not little india here... | | | Ahmad DEEBEELY | | | Here are some of the realities of the Mauritian Education:
1- The Elites stay the best of any batch of students. these children always emerge in whatever education system they are thrown into...
2- The is a big mismatch regarding the expectation of recruiters and the skill sets of our university leavers. Our fresh graduates are too bookish with minimal polishing of their personality. they are however the products of our system responsible for moulding them. Emerging sectors like IT, BPO and call centers need engineers, talents, skills, hands on, extrovert personality and not memorisers of concepts and books.
3- In Mauritius, the aim of parents is to get their children securing a Bsc, Msc, joining secure public sector and getting them the best possible partner for marriage. This is educational success for many parents.
4- Except some elites, what are being produced by our two national universities? degree holders? sadly Mauritius need much that this... | | | Pedro | | | What a complete non-event article... | |
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