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First and foremost, what we have accomplished would not have been possible without the dedication of our Members and all hardworking and committed Office Bearers of ESU, not forgetting Mrs Neeta Ramchurn for her dedication to the Business Case Competition and, of course, our “jewel in the Crown”, which shines ever so brightly, Anne-Marie Ahkine. Thank you all for your continued dedication, loyalty and support. I have now embarked on my third and last year as President of ESU. I wish that it was my first year - minus the Covid pandemic. But we have shown, throughout, “True grit” and inventiveness in the face of adversity, whilst demonstrating our unshakable solidarity in hard times. I look forward to a very successful year ahead with the continued effort of all our Members and the drive to make 2022 an amazing year. As the Welsh poet T.S. Eliot wrote in “Four Quartets”, “In my end is my beginning.”

Best ProfessorregardsSerge Rivière Inside this issue Page In Memoriam of late Mr Prem Burton, CSK …………….... 2-3 Annual General Meeting …………... 3-4 Congratulations to ESU Vice-Presidents Dr Rajendra Korlapu-Bungaree and Mr Kevin Pather ………………….….…. 4 Public Speaking Competition ….… 5-6 Support to Educators …….…..….…... 6 Community Service Project run by The US Embassy………………….….. 7 American Week at Le Lycée des Mascareignes ………………………. 7 Business Case Competition ………… 8-9 Forum on Emotional Well-Being ……... 9 ESU on other Platform & Other Miscellaneous Activities………….… 9-10 “Travel with Voltaire: Academic Memoirs” by Prof Serge Rivière…….. 10 This annual gathering is a fine example of the spirit of friendship and cooperation that exists between all ESU branches.

INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL MEETING OF ESU

Issue No. 53 Jan - Dec 2021 END-OF-YEAR

ESU MAURITIUS – 6TH FLOOR, KEN LEE BUILDING, 20 EDITH CAVELL STREET, PORT LOUIS, MAURITIUS TEL: (230) 208-8591 FAX: (230) 213 6543 EMAIL: esumau@intnet.mu Web: esumauritius.org 1

The Annual International Council Meeting of the English Speaking Union was held virtually on Thursday 9th December 2021. Delegates from ESU branches worldwide met to discuss matters of common interest and to provide details of their respective educational programmes. The main item of discussion this year was “ESU International Cooperation”. Owing to the continuing uncertainty over health and travel restrictions, it was decided that the 2022 International Public Speaking Competition would be held online in the week of 9-13th May 2022. For the second year running, ESU-Mauritius was represented by ESU VicePresident Dr Rajendra Korlapu-Bungaree and Secretary Mr Deepak Maunthrooa. MESSAGE FROM ESU PRESIDENT, PROF SERGE RIVIERE My warmest greetings to each of you! I hope that this message finds you safe and healthy. It gives me great pleasure to convey my best wishes to you all, and to your respective families, for a very joyful and successful New Year.

As the calendar page turns to a New Year, it is good that we reflect on the past two years which have been like no others due to the unprecedented global pandemic. We, at ESU, had to adapt to the circumstances. Of course, had it not been for Covid, we would have accomplished more. But, we nevertheless feel pride about our achievements, especially with our limited financial and human resources.

Dr Patricia Day Hookoomsing, Managing Director, Consultancy Co Ltd: “Indeed a great loss for the ESU. Let us hope that the younger generation continues to take inspiration from his advice and guidance”.

ESU MAURITIUS – 6TH FLOOR, KEN LEE BUILDING, 20 EDITH CAVELL STREET, PORT LOUIS, MAURITIUS

Mrs Touria Prayag, Editor in Chief, Weekly : “What a terrible loss. Mr Prem Burton did contribute extensively to the promotion of English in this country. May his soul rest in peace.

Ms Zeenat Fugurally, Educator at RCC: “This is indeed very sad news and a major loss. I used to meet Mr Burton at nearly every ESU event and at the Annual prize giving ceremony at RCC. His experience and calm demeanour are what I will remember. May his soul rest in peace”. Mr Marlowe Kamulsing of Le Bocage International School: “I am very sorry to hear about this great loss. We all have some anecdotes or moments spent with Mr Burton to remember and cherish. He was considerate, erudite, humble, helpful, a gentleman! Our thoughts are with his wife and family”. In September 2019, Mr Burton was presented with a “Lifetime Achievement Award” in recognition of the enormous contribution which he had made to ESU.

TEL: (230) 208-8591 FAX: (230) 213 6543 EMAIL: esumau@intnet.mu Web: esumauritius.org

ESU President, Prof Serge Rivière, paid tribute to late Mr Prem Burton in an obituary which appeared in several Press including Le Mauricien, l’Expresss, Le Dimanche l’Hebdo, Le Défi and Sunday Times.

Ms Joyce Troughton, ESU New Zealand: “Your loss is indeed a loss for the whole ESU. Having enjoyed meeting Prem on several occasions: in your beautiful Mauritius, in Pakistan and in London, I found him to be an example of co-operation, understanding and helpfulness: a pillar of the aims of ESU’s founding fathers, and a good and honest friend. He will be missed, but his influence will continue”.

IN MEMORIAM OF MR PREM BURTON, CSK – FORMER PRESIDENT OF ENGLISH SPEAKING UNION ESU has, in the recent years, lost some of its most prominent Members: Late Mr Sanjit Teelock in 2019, and Late Sir Victor Glover in 2020. It is with great sadness that we learnt of the demise of another Pillar of ESU, late Mr Amritlall Prem Burton, CSK, on 16th November 2021. Late Mr Burton, a well-known figure in the Education sector in Mauritius, joined ESU in 1996. After having served ESU as Vice-President for a number of years, he was appointed President from 2013 to 2016; and after stepping down as President, he stayed on the Executive Committee. In the last five years, he had served as our Mentor, providing us with invaluable guidance and wisdom. He worked tirelessly to promote the English language in Mauritius and in Rodrigues, and to keep ESU’s independence so it remains a branch of the English Speaking Union of the Commonwealth which was set up under a Royal Charter with Her Majesty the Queen as the Patron and Her Royal Highness, the Princess Royal, as our MessagesPresident. had flooded in from ESU Members both locally and internationally - from various ESU branches worldwide - about the sad loss of his demise to the whole ESU community. Here are a few examples: Mr Amritlall Prem Burton, CSK (1938-2021) Teacher extraordinaire, Mentor and Former President of English Speaking Union It is with great sadness that friends and colleagues at English Speaking Union-Mauritius have heard of the passing, on 16 November 2021, of yet another ESU stalwart and beacon of light, Mr Prem Burton, not long after the demises of former ESU Presidents, Mr Sanjit Teelock and Sir Victor Glover. Mr Burton became a member of the ESU in 1996 and worked tirelessly as its dedicated President from 2013 to 2016. Until recently, he remained on the Executive Committee in spite of his illness. Throughout his ESU career, Mr Burton was vigilant, rigorous, forward-looking, and never short of innovative ideas. For the last five years, he has been ESU’s Mentor, happy to be consulted, willing to listen to others’ opinions, and ready to lend sound advice. For his immense contribution, ESU will be eternally grateful. Humility was one of Mr Burton’s shining qualities; when addressed by me as “Mr Burton” – for he had been my venerated English Teacher in the 1960s at RCC, appointed by the Rector, Mr Bullen, “to serve them all his days” - he would correct me by gently whispering: “Call me Prem!”. And I did and he became my friend and advisor at ESU, as Plato was to Socrates. It brought him great joy to host our ESU subcommittee meetings at his home; those were gleesome and fruitful gatherings when we were subtly shown the way ahead by a wise, yet polite and gentle man with an unimpeachable knowledge of English Language and Literature. During such meetings, our charming hosts, Mr and Mrs Burton would proudly show us their resplendent and lovingly-tendered garden – “Nature to advantage dressed” (Alexander Pope). We shall all miss such occasions.

Membership – Adult Members, Students, School Members and Sponsors As regards the renewal of Membership from Adult Members, Students and School Members, I wish to inform you that we have updated our data. Members who had not paid their Membership for a number of years, in spite of reminders, have been removed from our Membership list. Paid-Up Members now stand as follows: 67 School Members, 90 Adult Members and 22 Executive Members. “At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember [him].” (Laurence Binyon)

I am pleased to inform you that, in August 2021 the Executive Committee endorsed the nomination of two new Members after considering their rich and diverse background and past contribution to ESU. I am therefore delighted to welcome Mr Ashveen Kutowaroo and Mrs Danielle Zélin on the Executive Committee. They have already started working actively in the field towards our aim. Thank you both for your incredible enthusiasm in helping ESU develop further.

It is my pleasure to present to you my Report as President of ESU. I have now embarked on my third and last year as President of ESU. The work, so far, has been enriching and stimulating for me. Unfortunately with the Covid-19 situation, we could not accomplish as much as we had planned. I am nevertheless looking forward to working with my esteemed colleagues to achieve the objectives which we have set for ESU in the year 2021-22”.

ESU MAURITIUS – 6TH FLOOR, KEN LEE BUILDING, 20 EDITH CAVELL STREET, PORT LOUIS, MAURITIUS

For his numerous students who drank from the fountain of knowledge over the years, his passing will be an equally great loss. He was born to teach and light up a spark in learners’ minds; in this dark hour, shortly after members of the English Speaking Union received news of his passing, we, his friends and colleagues, former and present students could only recall the good times and Prem’s benevolence and goodwill towards others.

Above all, Mr Burton will be remembered as a man who, through ESU, and his teaching career, “mobilized the English Language” to promote genuine fellowship, and high standards, among his fellow countrymen, just as Winston Churchill, an early Chairman of ESU International, had done from 1921 to 1925. Owing to the prevailing Covid situation in Mauritius and to ensure the safety of our Members, ESU held a virtual Annual General Meeting on Thursday 25th November 2021. Following a poignant tribute paid to late Mr Prem Burton, the President of ESU, Prof Serge Rivière, presented his report to Members.

We are pleased to reproduce hereunder a few extracts of Prof Serge Rivière’s report. Details of activities which Prof Rivière presented at the AGM are listed separately for your ease and convenience To Mrs Madhur Burton and her entire family, all Members of English Speaking Union-Mauritius would like to express their deepest condolences.

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Membership on the Executive Committee “I wish to convey my warmest gratitude to all Members of the Executive Committee for their continued trust and support - especially my most trusted and active lieutenants, Vice Presidents Messrs Kevin Pather, Rajendra KorlapuBungaree and Rajen Gangoosingh, Secretary Deepak Maunthrooa, Assistant Secretary Mrs Sanjiveni PackiryPoullé, Treasurer Mr Ganesh Rampat and Deputy Treasurer Mrs Pratima Beedasy. Above all, I cannot find better words to describe our Administrative Secretary, Anne-Marie Ahkine, than our “Jewel of the Crown”, our chief pillar at ESU without whom the office would surely collapse. I would also like to stress the importance of having our “ExOfficio” Members on our Executive Committee. We are very grateful for the support received from the US Embassy, the British High Commission, the Australian High Commission, the British Council and the various Ministries who regularly attend our meetings – the Ministry of Arts & Cultural Heritage, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Prime Minister’s Office and Ministry of Education, Tertiary Education, Science and Technology. Thank you all for always lending support, for your loyal presence at our meetings, as well as for your invaluable liaising work and solid advice when required. But without our Members, we, the Office Workers, would be toiling in vain – so my sincere thanks all ESU Members in Mauritius and in InRodrigues.August2021, Mr Parmanand Nunkoo, OSK, tendered his resignation as a Member of the Executive Committee. He had joined ESU in 2002 and had contributed in various activities, with dedication and enthusiasm. We convey our most sincere thanks to him for the time and knowledge he has given to ESU. We will miss his input, but we wish him well in his future endeavours.

“I am delighted to welcome you to the 27th Annual General Meeting of the English-Speaking Union, held virtually owing to the resurgence of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has disrupted the conventional ambience we are used to.

PATHERVICE-PRESIDENT,CONGRATUTIONSKORLAPU-BUNGAREETOESUMRKEVIN

I would like here to stress our concern regarding the financial repercussions Covid had on ESU finances. The Government grant channelled to us through the Ministry of Arts & Cultural Heritage has been subject to two consecutive cuts, – a 17% cut during the financial year 2020-21 and a further 5% in this current financial year. We nevertheless convey our thanks to the Ministry of Arts & Cultural Heritage for the grant and for their unfailing support. Corporate donations were always very difficult to obtain, and even more so this year because of the current Covid situation. The fact that our activities (e.g. the Public Speaking Competition) are now being held virtually does not encourage Corporates to support us because visibility is not Oursubstantial.Sponsorfor the Public Speaking Competition for the last 10 years – HSBC – has decided not to sponsor this activity anymore. Instead, they are focussing on improving the Business Case Competition which ESU organizes for Undergraduate students, for which we are immensely grateful”. Activities for the year 2020-21 “Covid –19 has brought disruption and uncertainty which have significantly impacted on our activities. We were hoping for brighter and sunnier skies. All indications are that it is unlikely that we shall be able to resume our physical activities for Students, in the near future as Mauritius – as well as the rest of the world - continues to be challenged by recurrent waves of Covid infections, even more so in the recent weeks, with the prevalence of the Delta and Omicron variants. Yet, in spite of such real challenges due to the Covid pandemic and its repercussions and our difficult financial situation, it my pleasure to report that, at ESU, we were nevertheless able to maintain an adequate level of activities and visibility during the year 2020-21. “When the going gets tough, the tough gets going” as I stated in my address at last year’s AGM. And tough or determined, we certainly “Afterare!”. the lifting of the lockdown in June 2020, ESU had to follow a strict Covid sanitary protocol to keep everyone safe. It was evident then that our activities could not resume physically. We, therefore, had no choice but to cancel the annual Spelling Bee Competitions which attract some 600 students every year. The Spelling Bee has now been cancelled for two years running, in 2020 and 2021”. “We however moved quickly after the first lockdown, to resume the Public Speaking Competition and the Business Case Competition in a modified format – This year also, both competitions were held virtually... A fine example of ESU’s adaptability!”.

I would like to convey our warmest appreciation to our Members and Sponsors who have willingly contributed to ESU through their subscription and donations. Your continued financial and moral commitment helps provide consistency and stability to keep ESU running smoothly and efficiently. We hope to continue to recruit new Members, with your help and hopefully, with a better year ahead, our ESU activities will give us greater visibility in Mauritius and Rodrigues. Please encourage your friends and colleagues to join the ESU.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ESU VICE-PRESIDENT, DR RAJENDRA

ESU MAURITIUS – 6TH FLOOR, KEN LEE BUILDING, 20 EDITH CAVELL STREET, PORT LOUIS, MAURITIUS TEL: (230) 208-8591 FAX: (230) 213 6543 EMAIL: esumau@intnet.mu Web: esumauritius.org 4

Government Grant and Sponsorship

“I take this opportunity to convey our appreciation to our Members who had helped us in our activities, especially all Coaches and Judges for our Public Speaking Competition and everyone who contributed in developing the Business Case Competition this year. This is a fine example of team spirit among ESU Members and well-wishers, “by uniting we stand, by diving we fall” says the Liberty song written by American John Dickinson (1768)”.

ESU conveys its warmest congratulations to its Mr Kevin Pather for the publication of his new book “Star is born” for Grade 10 and 11 Students. We proudly announce that ESU Vice-President, Rajendra Korlapu-Bungaree had been awarded a PhD in Education. We all join in to convey our warmest congratulations for his achievement. This shows that hard work pays off. Well done! Dr Korlapu-Bungaree is a Senior Lecturer, HOD English at the Mauritius Institute of Education.

Audited accounts for the year 2020-21 Prof. Serge Rivière and Deputy Treasurer, Mrs Pratima Beedasy, expressed their gratitude to Mr Shareef Ramjan of SRA Partners who has audited ESU accounts, free of charge. He had done so for over 15 years. Mrs Beedasy gave a detailed account of ESU’s Financial Statements. Members wishing to receive a copy of our audited financial statements are invited to contact the Office of the ESU.

Miss Erin Hendrikse of Northfields International School won the 2020 Public Speaking Competition.

Miss Erin Hendrikse, National Winner of the 2020 Public Speaking Competition represented Mauritius at the International Public Speaking Competition (IPSC) organized by ESU Headquarters, held virtually via the Zoom platform in May 2021. Because of the change in the school calendar in Mauritius, the month of May was not ideal for Miss Hendrikse as it coincided with the HSC examinations. She, nevertheless, did her best to juggle with her exams and the competition. We congratulate her for adapting to the circumstances.

Following his win at the IPSC, Pavit Coran had worked closely with ESU-Malaysia, and together with ESU-Hong Kong, they have initiated a Webinar on the theme “What can the young generation do to have a sustainable future”.

The 2021-22 Edition of the Public Speaking competition

The Participant from ESU-Malaysia, Pavit Coran, was declared the Grand Winner of the 2021 International Public Speaking Competition. He delivered a powerful speech about mental issues entitled “Behind the Smile”.

The Webinar held on 17th December 2021 was open to all Public Speaking enthusiasts including Mauritian youths.

Finalists of the International Public Speaking Competition (IPSC) awaiting the announcement of the results.

The use of technology assisted us in connecting with students for a workshop on Public Speaking skills to help participants better prepare for the competition. ESU conveys its appreciation to the Coaches, ESU VicePresident, Dr Rajendra Korlapu-Bungaree and ESU Members, Mr Dharamjeet Bucktowar and Mr Raj Trilochun, for running the workshop benevolently. At the preliminaries, participants were requested to send a video recording of their speech on the theme “Simplicity is the Ultimate Sophistication”. Semi-Finalists were requested to submit a second video on the theme “Our real choices are made without us realising it” – a theme chosen by ESU Headquarters for next year’s International Public Speaking Competition.

National Winners of some 30 participating ESUs worldwide took part in the International Public Speaking Competition. Participants received training in public speaking and debating skills from world-class ESU mentors. They also took part in cultural exchanges.

Webinar open to all Public enthusiastsSpeakingacross the world. A chance to hear the views of two very talented Speakers on the theme “What can the generationyoungdo to have a sustainable future”.

The new edition of the Public Speaking Competition was launched in October 2021 with the participation of 100 participants from schools all across Mauritius and Rodrigues. The number of participants had dropped as compared to a “normal year”. However, given the Covid-19 circumstances – especially since schools were being run in a staggered manner – ESU was very much satisfied with the 100 entries received.

On a much sadder note, we wish to inform Members that HSBC which had sponsored the Public Speaking Competition for over a decade, has decided not to support our Public Speaking Competition anymore. Instead, they will focus their sponsorship on helping ESU improve the Business Case Competition. Our attempts to secure another Sponsor for the Public Speaking Competition have so far been unsuccessful. Given that our activities are held virtually, Corporates are not motivated to support us financially because visibility is not substantial.

OFFERED BY THE US EMBASSY

ESU conveys its gratitude to all Members of the Adjudicating Panel comprising Dr Rajendra KorlapuBungaree, Messrs Nick Von Mertens, Deepak Maunthrooa, Ashveen Kutowaroo, Roshan Chundunsing, Azagen Vencatapillay, Jessen Samy, Sarvesh Jeetoo, Mrs Niamh Drysdale-Allen, Mrs Wedsha Appadoo-Ramsamy, Mrs Razita Dabeedial, Ms Zeenat Furally, Mrs Anita Mangar, Ms Shamini Bisnauthsing, Mrs Mitravada Rughoonauth, Mrs Hafsa Farhanaz Goolamhossen, Ms Vidiksha Nankoo and Mrs Sanjiveni Packiry-Poullé.

Wetechniques.convey

The Online Professional English Network Program

TESOL Elevate Virtual Conference held from 26th to 30th July 2021 ESU acted as Facilitator for the nomination of Miss Anne Marie Emmanuella Edouard of Grande Montagne College for the TESOL Elevate Virtual Conference offered by the US Embassy. The focus of this programme was on teachers who are still in training or at the beginning of their career. ESU conveys its appreciation to Ms Rose de Lima Edouard, Commissioner for Youth & Others, and to Mrs Arielle Francois-Nicolas, Departmental Head of the Commission for Education in Rodrigues for assisting ESU in this nomination. Other English Language Resources & Programs

our warmest congratulations to all Educators who took part in the programme during the year 2021, amongst whom Mrs Shobah Beeharry-Panray who scored an amazing 100%.

The nine best speeches (8 from Students in Mauritius and that of the Winner for Rodrigues) were judged by a panel comprising Mr Nick Von Mertens, Public Affairs Officer of the US Embassy, Mrs Niamh Drysdale-Allen, Director of the British Council and Dr Rajendra KorlapuBungaree, Vice-President of ESU-Mauritius. The nine finalists are: Julia Anna Victoria Glover of Northfields In School Mandy Mardiapoullé of GMD Atchia State College

Heelona Appadoo of Gaetan Raynal SSS Lorena Lafleur of St Marys’ West College, and Francois Ory André of Rodrigues College Results will be announced in early 2022. The National Winner will take part in the International Public Speaking Competition (IPSC) in May 2022. Unfortunately owing to the recurrent waves of Covid across the world, the IPSC will once again be held virtually in May 2022.

Participants to the programme have the possibility to follow an on-line course to acquire the newest and most advanced tools to help them enhance their teaching

ESU Members regularly receive information from the US Embassy about available English language resources (e.g. webinars, workshops, courses) offered by their Regional English Language Office in Pretoria. We convey our appreciation to the US Embassy for offering such opportunities to Educators in Mauritius and in Rodrigues.

We invite Educators and Trainee Teachers who wish to join the “Online Professional English Network (OPEN) Program” to contact the ESU to find out more about the various courses offered and to enlist for the next intake (Spring 2022).

Ms Vidiksha Nankoo, Educator at Adolphe de Plevitz Secondary School had recently been nominated as an OPEN High Performing Alumni-Spring 2021. She has since been part of the Community Lead programme. We congratulate her for her hard work and efforts. Congratulations also to Ms Marie Christine Spéville, Educator of Ananias André Le Chou College, Rodrigues, who has just been nominated as an OPEN High Performing Alumini for Fall 2021 in recognition of her excellent English language skills, thoughtful assignments and meaningful engagements in discussions with colleagues.

The judges had spent ESUteamfinevideos.anddiligentlyhoursviewingmarkingtheThiswasaexampleofspirtamongMembers.

SUPPORT TO ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATORS

Kenshin Newk-Fon Hey Tow of Royal College P-Louis Bibi Wazifah Imambaccus of Queen Elizabeth College Hayyan Bhaukaurally of Royal College Curepipe Khushi Thaneesha Ramlowat of Dr Maurice Cure SC Co

The 4th edition of the Community Project was launched in September 2021, once again with the collaboration of ESU. The results for that edition will be announced in early 2022.

Lycée des Mascareignes invited ESU to join the US Embassy on the occasion of their “the American Week” organized in the month of October 2021. The event was attended by ESU Vice-President, Mr Kevin Pather and ESU Secretary, Mr Deepak TheMaunthrooa.schoolhosted

AMERICAN WEEK ORGANIZED BY LYCEE DES MASCAREIGNES - OCTOBER 2021

COMMUNITY SERVICE CONTEST FOR GRADE 12

a series of events focussed on American culture, education and history. The programme included an exhibition on Dr Martin Luther King, lectures, film screenings, the unveiling of a US corner and the display of American books, state flags, food and music. Mr Kevin Pather participated in a panel discussion on the theme “American Dream” with reference to the “Death of a Salesman” by author Arthur Miller. PROJECT FOR GRADE 12 STUDENTS

ESU MAURITIUS – 6TH FLOOR, KEN LEE BUILDING, 20 EDITH CAVELL STREET, PORT LOUIS, MAURITIUS TEL: (230) 208-8591 FAX: (230) 213 6543 EMAIL: esumau@intnet.mu Web: esumauritius.org 7

COMMUNITY SERVICE

AN ACTIVITY RUN BY THE US EMBASSY

The US Embassy partnered with ESU, the Nelson Mandela Centre for African Culture and the Private Secondary Education Authority (PSEA) for the running of the 3rd edition of their National Black History Month Community Service project to help foster a commitment to volunteerism and service to others among youth. This contest is based on Dr Martin Luther King’s inspirational words “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is “What are you doing for others?”. Students of Grade 12 (Lower VI) from all secondary schools of Mauritius and Rodrigues were invited to initiate and be involved in a community service project based on themes such as civic engagement, economic opportunity, Human Rights, alleviation of poverty, equal opportunity or women empowerment. The competition was launched in January 2020. However, as a result of the lockdown and the uncertainties regarding the Covid-19 situation, the competition was suspended in March 2020. The viewing of the videos resumed in January 2021. Queen Elizabeth College was awarded the first prize of the 2020-21 Community Service Project. Their video, showing their compassion for animals, and their welfare, appealed to the judges. The second and third prizes went to Mont Lubin College in Rodrigues and GMD Atchia State College respectively. Owing to social restrictions, the prize award ceremony was held virtually for the participants on 11th February 2021. Only a few guests were invited at the US Embassy, amongst whom ESU Vice-President, Mr Kevin Pather.InNovember 2021, Mont Lubin College (Rodrigues) organized a virtual prize-award ceremony to mark the occasion. It was attended by Mr Nick Von Mertens and Ms Audrey Athave of the US Embassy and ESU Secretary, Mr Deepak Maunthrooa.

The National competition was held in March 2021 and the Winning team - University of Mauritius (UoM) - competed against 22 elite institutions in the Asia-Pacific region at the Regional Business Case Competition organized by Hong Kong University in June 2021. The UoM Team was very strong and made a very good impression in the Regional competition. ESU takes pride in the fact that the Winning team comprised two past participants of our Public Speaking Competition – Miss Sanjana Chooneea (Past National Winner) and Mr Sarvesh Jeetoo (Past Semi-Finalist and Recipient of the “Pan-Africa Youth Leadership Programme” offered by the US Embassy in collaboration with ESU). We believe that ESU has played a major role in helping these youngsters improve their confidence in English and develop their presentation and communication skills. This competition allowed ESU-Mauritius to have greater visibility among both our Universities and the general Public. ESU posted details of the competition on its Facebook page and received over 15,500 views, the largest number of views ever received. ESU also received excellent press coverage.

All in all, we can safely say that the transition to the online format was successfully achieved, so much so that we have launched the 5th edition of the online Business Case Competition in September 2021, this time with the participation of eleven institutions. We have also partnered with International entities which are Ex-Officio Members of our Executive Committee (i.e. the US Embassy, British High Commission, Australian High Commission and the British Council) as well as some Business entities such the Mauritius Chamber of Commerce, American Chamber of Commerce, the British Business Group in Mauritius and the Australian Chamber of Commerce. These entities are providing coaching and mentorship to the participants so they have a good view of the economic and sustainable development realities of Mauritius, Africa and the Asia-Pacific region.

A 2-day virtual conference was held on 29th and 30th November 2021, with Professionals sharing their respective business models and providing valuable entrepreneurship tips to the participants. Undergraduate Students and Coaches from participating institutions were invited to attend. The winning team – University of Mauritius posing with Senior Official of HSBC for a debriefing session after the announcement of the results in March 2021.

BUSINESS

Speakers at the virtual conference held in November 2021

The Business Case Competition aims at instilling a mindset of Business Culture amongst our undergraduate students. It has today become one of our flagship activities.

The 2021 edition of the Business Competition was successfully launched in November 2020 and a first training session was held in February 2021 at the University of Mauritius with the participation of four institutions - University of Mauritius, Middlesex University Mauritius, MCCI Business School and Université des Mascareignes, with each sending two teams. Following the resurgence of the Covid-19 pandemic in February 2021, ESU had to adapt promptly to the situation. We undertook significant work to develop new rules to be implemented for an online version. It was a steep learning curve for everyone involved - ESU Staff, HSBC Coaches (Our Sponsors) and the participants alike. Training sessions were successfully conducted online by HSBC Senior Officers.

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ESU-HSBC CASE COMPETITION FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

The competition which was held last year - in February and March 2020 - had been suspended and later cancelled as a consequence of the lockdown and uncertainties resulting from the Covid situation.

All this has been made possible thanks to the support of ESU Member, Mrs Neeta Ramchurn, who was entrusted with the administrative tasks related to this activity. We express our gratitude and appreciation to her.

Prof Rajeev Sooreea, Associate Dean and Associate Professor of International Business, Dominican University of California - a Fulbright Scholar with the US Embassy -, further conducted a workshop held on Saturday 11th December 2021 to train participants on how to analyse a Business case, identify key issues, evaluate suitable solutions and implement action plans. On that occasion, participants were given to read a Harvard Business Case.

ESU conveys its appreciation to the Panellists, to all attendees and more especially to ESU President, Prof Rivière, for initiating that forum, and to our Vice President, Dr Rajendra Korlapu-Bungaree for acting as Facilitator between ESU and M.I.E. and as Master of Ceremony, a role which he filled in with professionalism and dedication.

Prof Sooreea will conduct further workshops in the new Besides,Year. two full-day conferences will take place in the next three months leading to the National competition scheduled in March 2022. The Winning team will be offered further training until they compete at the regional competition in June 2022.

• ESU informed Members of facilities offered by the US Embassy in terms of English language resources (workshops, on-line courses, scholarships) and encouraged Students to use the US Embassy’s library in Curepipe.

ESU President, Prof Serge Rivière and Vice-President Dr Rajendra Korlapu-Bungaree posing with the Panellists

• ESU President and other Office Bearers attended several book launches and book sales by ESU Members.

FORUM ON EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING AND POSITIVE EDUCATION

a welcoming address by Prof Serge Rivière, President of the English-Speaking Union, Prof (Dr) Basseer Jeeawody, Founder and Chairperson of the Emotional Well-Being Institute (Geneva) delivered an inspiring keynote address on the topic of the day. There was also a panel discussion on the importance of Emotional Well-Being within our community, in our educational establishments and in the workplace. Members of the panel comprised Prof Basseer Jeeawody, Dr Ameenah Sorefan, a well-known Health Professional Doctor and Consultant Psychiatrist, and MIE Staffs, Former Director Dr Oomandra Nath Varma and Mr Satyen Singh TheBeedassy.Forum was productive, informative and successful, especially during these turbulent times when the issue of Mental Health is not only relevant but crucial.

• ESU President attended several functions organized by various Institutions.

• ESU encouraged students to take part in the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition organized by the Royal Commonwealth Society.

ESU-HSBC BUSINESS CASE COMPETITION FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS (Cont…)

ESU MAURITIUS – 6TH FLOOR, KEN LEE BUILDING, 20 EDITH CAVELL STREET, PORT LOUIS, MAURITIUS TEL: (230) 208-8591 FAX: (230) 213 6543 EMAIL: esumau@intnet.mu Web: esumauritius.org 9

ESU President and Office Bearers of ESU were present on many platforms to represent ESU.

In February 2021, during the “eye of the Covid storm”so to speak - ESU organized a Forum on Emotional WellBeing and Positive Education, held at the Frank Richard Lecture Theatre, Mauritius Institute of Education, Réduit. The lecture theatre was packed to its full capacity with some 120 Professionals of diverse backgrounds, including Staff of M.I.E. We convey our thanks to M.I.E for hosting the Followingevent.

• ESU Secretary Mr Deepak Maunthrooa represents ESU as a Panel Member of the Evaluation process for the Covid-19 Artist support plan 2021 and production of short stories. Besides, he forms part of the Editing Committee of the Aapravasi Ghat Trust Fund Magazine and he recently attended a virtual training on Corruption Risk Assessment.

ESU PRESENCE ON OTHER PLATFORMS & OTHER MISCELLANEOUS ACTIVITIES

• ESU encouraged Members to participate in some activities organized by ESU headquarters or other branches of ESU worldwide (e.g. A global online gathering for Shakespeare enthusiasts, a webinar of public speaking enthusiasts etc…).

• ESU promoted the achievements of its Members on its Facebook page which is updated on a regular basis. ESU also promoted activities run by other organizations which promote the English language (e.g. the Poetry competition in homage to late Edouard Maunick, organized by the President’s Fund for Creative Writing).

ABOUT “TRAVELS WITH VOLTAIRE: ACADEMIC MEMOIRS” BY ESU PRESIDENT PROF SERGE RIVIERE “This is the story of my educational journey which began as a young student with a modest social background, living in a large Creole family of ten children in Mauritius to Professorships of French and Cultural Studies at universities in Australia, Mauritius, Scotland and Ireland. My early education in multicultural Mauritius, at primary school in the 1950s, and subsequently at Royal College Curepipe in the 1960, exposed me to diverse cultures and languages such as Kreole, French, English, Latin, Ancient Greet and a little Hindi. This instilled in me an undying love of languages which led to further studies in Culture and Literature, and ultimately to research all over the globe toward books on Voltaire, the Enlightenment, Cultural History, and Travel Literature. In my early teens, Immanuel Kant’s phrase, Sapere Aude (“Dare to know”), mentioned to me en passant by my RCC Latin Teacher in 1962, became my motto and fuelled an insatiable curiosity for reading and learning. My life as a young undergraduate and postgraduate bilingual student in Scotland and Canada, and later as an academic working at various universities in Canada, Scotland, Australia, Ireland and parts of the EU from 1970 to 2008, required me to negotiate the complexities of foreign customs and traditions”.

ESU MAURITIUS – 6TH FLOOR, KEN LEE BUILDING, 20 EDITH CAVELL STREET, PORT LOUIS, MAURITIUS TEL: (230) 208-8591 FAX: (230) 213 6543 EMAIL: esumau@intnet.mu Web: esumauritius.org 10 • • • President’s Fund for Creative Writing (PFCW)Following the appointment of ESU Vice-President, Dr Rajendra Korlapu-Bungaree, as a Board Member of PFCW, and the nomination of ESU Secretary, Mr Deepak Maunthrooa, and Mrs Mangala Jawaheer (Member of ESU) as Members of their Quality Control Unit, the “President’s Fund for Creative Writing” was able to fully rely on ESU’s support to bring to fruition its activities, such as being on the judging panel of their poetry competition and helping with the organization of their prize-award ceremonies.

ESU Vice President, Dr Rajendra Korlapu Bungaree acting as Master of Ceremony at the prize-giving ceremony of the poetry competition organized by the PFCW We convey our appreciation to the Chairperson of the President’s Fund for Creative Writing, Mrs Anitah Aujayeb for her trust in ESU. We look forward to supporting PFCW in its mission in the New Year. We convey our warmest Congratulations to our President, Prof Serge Riviere on the launch of his new book “Travels with Voltaire: Academic Memoirs". In his preface, Prof Rivière tells us about what inspired him to become an Author and how “Voltaire” accompanied him throughout his journey.

We are pleased to invite you to get a copy of your “Travel with Voltaire: Academic Memoirs” at “Editions le Printemps” and at “Bookcourt”

• ESU Vice-President, Mr Kevin Pather, was interviewed by “News on Sunday” on the occasion of the International English Language Day which is celebrated annually on the 23rd April, the date traditionally observed as both the birthday and the date of death of William Shakespeare.