One of the 18 Fijians who rejected Indian scholarships yesterday explained why he did it.

He explained that he turned down the scholarship after he was offered it because it did not suit him.

Sanil Sami, 24, said he applied for a Bachelor of Engineering scholarship but the scholarship offered Bachelor of Technology.

He claimed he conducted a research which revealed the university that was being offered was not accredited.

“This will mean that I will spend my four years of study and not be able to be recognised by an engineering body in Fiji or the Pacific.

“I advised ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations ) of my decision to turn down the offer and they did not ask for a reason,” he said.

Mr Sami said he was excited at first and also very grateful to the centre. But after discussions with experts, he said he changed his mind.

“I did advise the centre with ample notice, and they could have contacted those students who were on the waiting list,” Mr Sami said

Meanwhile, Housing Authority Analyst Programmer Shavendra Chand who was given a scholarship of Bachelor of Technology to study at Uttar Pardesh Technical University in Uttar Pardesh, India,  in 2005 said he was satisfied.

“I was happy to receive a scholarship from ICCR to study in India,” he said.

“My first three months, I struggled to adjust to the environment but after three months, I was able to adjust to the environment.”

He said that he loved studying in India and experienced many new things.

ICCR director in Suva, Kishan Lal Kanojia, could not be reached to comment yesterday.

In an earlier interview, Mr Kanojia had confirmed the 18 Fijian students who had rejected scholarships. He said:

“I am sad about the fact that 18 students rejected their scholarships to study in India. This is not the case every year.”

The students gave various reasons for turning down the scholarships.

Feedback: shahani.mala@fijisun.com.fj