Unlike previous competitions, two winners emerged from the final of this year?s Brains Trust Competition - Royal College of Curepipe and Saint-Esprit College. The runner-up was the Royal College of Port-Louis, and just after came Loreto College of Port-Louis. The performances of the students left the jury impressed. When the time came to release the names of the winners, they admitted how hard it had been to make up their minds. They had finally chosen Royal College of Curepipe and Saint-Esprit College.

The competition started in May with the preliminary rounds on 8th and 9th May. The Brains Trust is an initiative of the Rotary Club of Port-Louis, under the project leadership of past President Philippe Ah Chuen. For the second year running, the Mauritius College of the Air (MCA) gave its technical support and hosted the competition in its recording studio under the supervision of Kureeman Vishwanath, coordinator of the MCA educational services. The jury this year was composed of the chairman, Patrice Legris, Director of AHRIM, assisted by Sushilla Gopaul, part-time lecturer at the MCA and Om Varma, associate professor at the Mauritius Institute of Education.

Thirty-four colleges took part in this year?s competition. They were drawn up into four pools of four colleges for the second round, on15th and 16th May. The winning schools of the four pools - RCC, Saint-Esprit, LCPL and RCPL made it to the final. Each team had to discuss a common topical issue chosen by the organizers. This year, it was chikungunya and its impact on the tourism industry.

<B>Foster team-spirit</B>

This competition has two main aims: to give an opportunity to HSC students to analyse topical problems and propose solutions and to foster a team-spirit. Participants in the Brains Trust Competition over the years are now members of the legal profession and professionals in other fields. Those who have returned from studies abroad still remember with emotion the influence of the Brains Trust Competition.

The competition targets pupils of Lower 6 and Upper 6. The rules are simple. Each team is composed of five students, including a captain. All teams are given the same topical issue to discuss. For each round a different topic was given. For the final, the students were given one hour to prepare their speech for a presentation lasting for eleven minutes. They had to tackle the issue within a time frame, explaining the subject, giving their points of view and recommending solutions.

<B>Elocutionary skills </B>

Once all presentations were over, the jury had to decide on the winner. But in the mean time, the tension was rising among the participants. The team spirit was very much in evidence as they waited the crucial moment. The RCC captain, Shaneel Bappayya, could not hide his delight after the verdict given by the jury. ?It was an enriching experience. I now feel more prepared for future tasks in life. But without team-spirit, our team would not have won. I feel very happy that my team has won the Brains Trust competition!? he said.

For his part, Philip Ah Chuen explained: ?We, at the Rotary, provide a forum for HSC students to work as a team. We want them to work together. In our secondary schools, this is not encouraged enough! In the Brains Trust Competition, all the participants are winners! To talk in front of a camera about topical issues is something not everyone can do.? Philip Ah Chuen expressed his satisfaction with the initiative. He said: ?I am very satisfied, especially because I have noticed that every year there is an improvement in the performances of the pupils. Moreover, I have noticed that students from colleges that are not what we call ?star colleges? did very well. I am very pleased with this. And I seize the opportunity to thank the MCA for its technical support, and also all the teachers of the participating schools who took part in the event. The teachers have been great. They have provided continuous support for their pupils!?

The prize-giving ceremony will be held at a future date. The winning team will be given book vouchers and individual trophies. The other finalists also will be rewarded with book prizes.