Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698147254161.pdf (Mauritius)
COMMUNIQUÉ AWARD OF POSTGRADUATE COMMONWEALTH SCHOLARSHIPS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM FOR YEAR 2022 Applications are invited from qualified Mauritian candidates for the nomination of up to two Commonwealth Scholarships, for one year (Full Time) Master’s Course tenable in the United Kingdom as from September/October 2022.

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Course of Study (i) The Commonwealth Scholarships will be offered under six themes: (a) Science and technology for development The scholarship, which may be in any area of science or technology (including, for example, agriculture, veterinary science, or forestry), will develop knowledge and/or skills that are directly related to the specific needs of a low or middle income country.

Where possible, applications should cite expressed national or local priorities.
(b) Strengthening health systems and capacity The scholarship will develop knowledge and/or skills that will improve health provision or outcomes for disadvantaged groups in low and middle income countries.

A range of approaches could be adopted, such as training staff to fill critical shortage areas; establishing better systems, processes, or management; health promotion and improving understanding of non-take up; or developing new treatments.
(c) Promoting global prosperity The scholarship will support economic prosperity in low and middle income countries.

The knowledge and/or skills gained could lead to, for example, enhanced trade capacity; improved economic understanding or decision-making by business or government; new products and services; or long-term capacity building, through the development of entrepreneurial skills, for instance.
(d) Strengthening global peace, security and governance The scholarship will develop knowledge and/or skills that will strengthen peace and security at national, regional, or international levels.

Multiple approaches could be used, such as strengthening open and transparent governance; improving mutual understanding within and between societies; or building systems that reduce the potential for conflict or encourage its resolution.
1 (e) Strengthening resilience and response to crises The scholarship will develop knowledge and/or skills which will help low and middle countries adapt to changing contexts, withstand sudden shocks, or increase capacity to preserve the continuity of operations following such events.

This could apply to a broad range of threats, including natural and physical disasters; such as climate change; interruptions to the supply of key resources; or sudden economic or technological disruption.
long-term threats (f) Access, inclusion and opportunity The scholarship will develop knowledge and/or skills that will promote opportunity amongst historically disadvantaged groups in low and middle income countries.

This could be through, for example, expanding educational opportunities; conducting community outreach; enhancing access to decision-making; or increasing understanding of the barriers faced.
A range of disadvantages can be addressed – including social, economic, gender, ethnic, regional, or political – provided that the need is clearly stated.

(ii) Consideration will be given to applications that demonstrably link to the development priorities of Mauritius in line with the List of Indicative Priority Fields of Study (2017/2019).

Such Links should be made explicit in the candidate’s write up accompanying the application.
(iii) The List of Indicative Priority Fields of Study 2017/2019 which has been affixed on the Notice Board of the Ministry, Ground Floor, MITD House, Pont Fer, Phoenix can also be consulted on the following website: https://education.govmu.org 3.
Eligibility Requirements 3.1 Qualifications (i) (ii) SC/GCE ‘O’ level with credits in at least five subjects including English Language at one and the same sitting; HSC/GCE ‘A’ Level with three subjects at Principal level and a pass in General Paper or equivalent qualification obtained at one and the same sitting; and (iii) A first degree of at least Upper Second Class Honours level.

The onus for the provision of equivalence of qualifications rests upon the applicants.
2 3.2 Other Requirements (i) Candidates should clearly indicate their course of study.

They are expected to state at least one, but are strongly advised to propose three institutions of study on their application form in order of preference and to state the reasons for their choice.

The final decision on host institutions will be made by the Commonwealth Scholarships Commission.
Candidates are strongly advised to submit independent applications directly to their preferred institutions in advance of, or at the same time as, their scholarship application.

Where formal offers of admission have been obtained, these should be included with the application and any subsequent correspondence with UK universities listed within the application should be submitted with the application form.
(ii) Candidates should submit their detailed study plan of at least 750 words along with their application; (iii) Candidates must submit a write up indicating the direct and applied relevance of their study to development in Mauritius.

Candidates should make any such links explicit in their applications.
(iv) Candidates must indicate in their applications:- (a) which of the CSC’s six development themes they are applying under (b) up to three Sustainable Development Goals relevant to their development impact.

(v) Candidates should submit a their application which will provide the selection panel with more information about their background and give an additional context to their application.
‘personal statement’ within (vi) As per rules of the Commonwealth Scholarships Commission, the Ministry will give a priority to ensuring gender balance in the nomination process.

NOTE: (i) Commonwealth Scholarships are aimed at individuals who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK.

Every candidate will be required to sign a declaration that they do not have access to sufficient funds to study in the UK.
(ii) Candidates are informed that the Selection Committee in the UK will request for at least 2 references to be provided as part of the final submission after nomination; 3 (iii) Awards are tenable at any approved UK university or higher education institution with which the CSC has a part-funding agreement.

A list of these institutions can be found at: http://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/uk-universities (iv) Awards are not made to candidates who are already holder of a Master’s degree from the UK.

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Conditions of Scholarship 4.1 The Scholarship covers, inter alia, airfare, tuition and examination fees and living allowance.

4.2 The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission does not require candidates to take an IELTS test as part of application process.

However, as a condition of offering a place on a course, the host institution in the UK may require a candidate to take a particular English Language test and reach a particular level.
The Commission will not confirm an award until such conditions have been met and will withdraw the offer of award if conditions are not met in sufficient time for the scholar to arrive in the UK by the commencement of the academic year.
4.3 Candidates are reminded that being nominated by the Ministry does not automatically guarantee final selection or placement in the the Commonwealth Scholarship United Kingdom and Commission in the United Kingdom will make the final selection according to criteria which include: that o Academic merit; o Quality of study plan; o Potential impact of the work on the development of the candidate’s home country.
Candidates are therefore strongly advised to take the above criteria into consideration when submitting their applications.

4.4 Beneficiaries of scholarships will be required to sign an undertaking, thereby committing themselves to return to Mauritius immediately after completion of their studies and work for at least two years in the public or private sector.

4.5 Only the best qualified candidates will be nominated.
Candidates who have not been informed of their nomination within eight weeks as from the closing date for application should consider that they have not been selected.

4.6 A Communiqué will be placed on the website of the Ministry to inform applicants that the selection exercise has already been carried out.

4 4.7 Applicants are advised to start the process of identifying up to three institutions and programmes of their choice and submit applications for a seat.
A list of institutions for which the scholarships are tenable can be consulted on the following website: http://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/about-us/scholarships 4.8 Candidates must be able to take up their awards in October 2022; deferments are granted in only the most exceptional circumstances, and will not be considered for start dates beyond January 2023.
4.9 It is the requirement of the Commonwealth Scholarships Commission, UK that candidates be made aware of the CSC antifraud policy at:- http://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-international- development/about#reporting-fraud and the local anti corruption policies at:- http://www.icac.mu 5.
Mode of Application 5.1 Applications must be made on the prescribed form: (i) available at the Scholarships Section, Ministry of Education, Tertiary Education Science and Technology, 1st Floor, MITD House, Pont Fer, Phoenix, or (ii) downloaded from the Ministry’s website: https://education.govmu.org 5.2 The completed forms along with all supporting documents should be by of submitted Friday 15 October 2021 at 1400 hours at latest.
the Ministry Scholarships Section the to 5.3 Responsible parties of applicants not in Mauritius may apply on behalf of their wards.

5.4 Applicants already in employment, whether public or private, must fill in the application form in duplicate.
One copy thereof along with the relevant supporting documents, should be submitted to the Scholarships Section, and one copy to the applicant’s employer to enable the latter to decide on the release of the applicant for the course, and if so, on what terms and conditions.

Such information should be available at the time of submission of application.
5 5.5 All candidates should ensure that certified copies of certificates, transcripts of final university result/marksheets and all other relevant documents relating to their qualifications are submitted to the Scholarships Section, along with their applications.

Non-submission of same by the closing date will result in their elimination from the selection exercise.

Certification of documents may be done at the Scholarships Section of the Ministry.

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Additional Information Full details of the scholarships are contained in the 2022 Commonwealth Scholarships prospectus, a copy of which is available on the website at: http://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/about-us/scholarships & http://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/apply/csc-disability-support-statement 20 September 2021 Scholarships Section Ministry of Education, Tertiary Education Science and Technology MITD House, Pont Fer, Phoenix 73544 6