We, the additional scholars, wish to bring to your attention the dire financial difficulties and dilemmas to which we are currently confronted. The laureates entitled to the additional scholarship receive only Rs 590,000 per year to cover both their tuition fees and living expenses.

We strongly believe that this sum offered to us no longer represents a passport to world-class quality tertiary education, and is in fact,hardly sufficient to sustain even the tuition fees currently applicable in the UK and Australia. The top universities in these countries charge at least £9 000 or AU$20 000 per annum for classroom based courses, £11 700 or AU$24 500 per annum for laboratory courses and £21 300 or AU$38 000 per annum for clinical courses.

The key to the country?s progress and current challenges is investment in human capital. We, laureates, will pursue our studies in fields such as medicine, engineering, law, economics and finance. Being true patriots we wish to serve our motherland with the best intellect and knowledge and we will only be able to do so if we are given the same benefits as the State of Mauritius laureates.

A certain inconsistency exists at the level of the additional scholarships, in that, a sizeable depreciation of the Mauritian Rupee and substantial increase in the tuition fees during the last years have not been considered. In 1999, the quantum of Rs 500,000 for additional laureates was enough to cover both tuition fees and living expenses. In 2002, however, this sum was insufficient for even tuition fees. The laureates proclaimed in that year, obtained a meagre increase of Rs 90 000 which still was inadequate.

With the appreciation of the pound sterling from the yearly average of Rs 45.293 in 2002 to Rs 54.497 in 2006, the value of the scholarship fell from £13 026 to £10 826. In addition, with inflation abroad, both cost of living and tuition fees have skyrocketed. With an increase of £2 000 in tuition fees for classroom based courses, £3 200 for laboratory courses and £3 050 for clinical courses from 2002 to 2006, we are currently unable to sustain the financial expense of a world class quality education.

The amount of money awarded to State of Mauritius scholarship winners increases every year, in line, with the appreciation of foreign currencies and with rising university costs ; the value of the additional scholarship has remained fixed for the past three years. We feel that we are being unduly penalized as our scholarship is fixed in terms of Mauritian Rupee. A fixed allowance is unrealistic when university expenses rise continously.

The Standing Committee presided by Dr Lutchmeah, set up by Cabinet in September 2001 admirably underlines the problems of Additional Scholarships. It also moved towards a rationalization of the system. However, its recommendations were piece-mealed and the Additional laureates were ignored. There should not be apartheid among laureates. It is the duty of the State to be impartial and to fight exclusion.

Today, we feel that we are second-class laureates and that our country does not think us to be as deserving as the State of Mauritius laureates. We have worked diligently since many years, and have made a lot of sacrifices to attain our dreams of becoming laureates and going to world renowned universities. We are now on the brink of disillusion and are frustrated. We fear that our dreams and aspirations will never materialize.

Some of us come from a middle-class background and others from low-income groups and have at least one or two younger siblings who have to be educated as well. Our parents who are nearing retirement are finding it very hard to fulfil our dreams. Some of us are unable to take loans because of the absence of collateral.

The general philosophy in awarding scholarships is to reward the students, such that they can pursue their studies in a conducive atmosphere. With the existing Additional laureate scheme, we will be forced to work and study simultaneously. Should we fall prey to unforeseen circumstances in a foreign land, our studies will suffer.

We have put in as much effort as the State of Mauritiuis laureates. All the laureates, whether State or Additional, sign a bond of Rs 500,000. We should all be treated equally. There should be no double standard (deux poids, deux mesures) when rewarding equally deserving students. Fairness, social justice and meritocracy should prevail.

We have the deep-seated belief that you will not let us down. We approve of your project for a world class quality education and your quest for excellence. We share your ideals and hope that you will accede to our request to give the Additional laureates the same status and benefits as the State of Mauritius laureates. We should be grateful if you would see to it that justice is done, and that we do not become the victims of narrow-minded persons who wish to repress the elite.

We thank you in advance and support you in your reform. We pray God that you succeed in all your endeavours.

Naresh Rai Shumsher Rughooputh, Toshima Issur, Anishta Heeramun, Eshwan Ramudu, Varsha Heerasing, Foon Lien Ng Kee Kwong, Zaynah Mosafeer