Mauritius Telecom Foundation Launches New HSC Science Scholarship

Mauritius is expanding its support for academic excellence in science, with the Cabinet approving a new scholarship scheme run by the Mauritius Telecom Foundation targeting top-performing students in the Higher School Certificate (HSC) Science stream. The decision was made at the Council of Ministers meeting on Friday, 9 October. **Who is the scholarship for?** The new award is specifically designed for the student who ranks immediately below the State Scholarship recipients on the official science merit list. In Mauritius, the State Scholarship is the most prestigious academic award available to HSC students, recognising the very highest achievers. This new scholarship bridges a gap — rewarding high-performing science students who narrowly miss out on that top honour. In practical terms, this means a student who performs at an exceptional level but does not quite make the State Scholarship cut will no longer leave empty-handed. The Mauritius Telecom Foundation Scholarship will offer them the financial means to pursue higher education under strong conditions. **Who runs the scheme?** The scholarship falls under the Mauritius Telecom Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of Mauritius Telecom — the country's leading telecommunications provider, majority state-owned. The Foundation already runs various education and community programmes across the island. **What happens next?** The Ministry of Education and Human Resources will shortly forward instructions to the State Law Office — specifically the Office of the Attorney General — to draft the legislation needed to formally govern the scheme. This legal framework will set out the criteria, administration process, and official award procedure for the scholarship. Until that legislation is in place, the scholarship does not yet have a formal legal basis, meaning the full details — including the financial value of the award — have not yet been made public. **What this means** For Mauritian families and students aiming for the top of the HSC Science rankings, this is a meaningful development. Competition for State Scholarships is fierce, and the margin between success and near-miss can be razor-thin. This new scheme acknowledges that effort and creates an additional pathway to funded higher education for science students. It also signals continued investment by Mauritius Telecom in science education — a sector closely aligned with the country's ambitions to develop a knowledge-based economy. Full details on the scholarship value and eligibility process are expected once the legislation is drafted and passed. Source: ION News