Unisey showcases potential through fest |04 April 2012

Members of the National Assembly, UniSey’s corporate partners, Ministers, Vice Chancellor of the University Marina Confait, Lucy Athanasius, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Deans of Faculties Shirley Marie and Dr Ganesh Chelumbrun, Registrar Michel Denousse, faculty members and students were also present.

In his opening speech, Pro Chancellor to UniSey Dr Rolph Payet said the fest will become an annual event on the university’s academic calendar.

He also added that the aim of this activity is to give opportunity to “parents, prospective students, employers and indeed all members of the public to visit and learn about the University of Seychelles; its programmes, its achievements and its progress” as well as creating more opportunities for the youth of Seychelles.

Dr Payet also thanked the university’s corporate partners for their support adding “they provide the platform for the university to become a real contributor to the economic and social development of the country”.

Before ending, he also announced three of the university’s important initiatives; the first being the establishment of their own interpretation centre financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and which will be open to all members of the public and students.

Secondly, he announced the involvement of Seychelles in the Google Science Fair and finally – for existing students – the opportunity to take on various degree programmes scholarships to study in “top universities in Europe for their Masters and eventually up to a PhD. We have already obtained a donor for the Law Programme for students to study at the London School of Economics and we are seeking other donors,” he said.

After the official opening, invited guests and the public were asked to stay around for a small tree planting ceremony in the UniSey garden followed by visits around the University to view the exhibitions among which were those set up by some of the university’s corporate sponsors –   including Cable & Wireless, Barclays Bank and Airtel to name a few – who were also showcasing their ideas and products.

This was followed by other activities such as songs sung by students and a show by local artist Reuben in the evening.

Rebecca Chang-Tave