UniSey launches degree course in public administration |29 October 2013

The University of Seychelles (UniSey) has officially launched the Masters in Public Administration (MPA) programme.

This was during a short ceremony held yesterday at the School of Education’s auditorium at Mont Fleuri.
 
Also coinciding with the launch of the MPA programme was the start of a three-day Human Resource Forum.

Both programmes are being jointly offered and conducted by the UniSey and the Eastern and Southern African Management Institute (Esami).

Dr Justin Valentin, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, officially launched the two programmes.

Altogether 19 students have enrolled on the MPA programme which will be carried out at both the Mont Fleuri and the Anse Royale UniSey campuses.
 
Meanwhile 20 human resource managers, directors and officers from both the private and public sectors are taking part in the Human Resource Forum which will take place at the School of Business Management at Ma Joie.

Three lecturers from the Esami including the institution’s director general Bonard Mwape who are in the country for two weeks will lead the three-day forum and oversee the MPA programme.

Yesterday’s launch ceremony took place in the presence of the pro-chancellor of the UniSey, Professor Rolph Payet, vice-chancellor Marina Confait, lecturers and students.

Addressing everyone present Professor Mwape said the MPA is perhaps the most respected degree for men and women who committed their lives to serve the public service.

“The MPA provides not only academic but practical teaching and training to enhance the capacity of those who graduate from it to help the government deliver effective and efficient service to better serve their country,” said Mr Mwape.

With regard to the human resource forum which has as theme ‘Performance Management’, Professor Mwape said this complements the whole issue of developing talents to deliver in the public service.
 
He said he is happy to have committed his institution to this partnership at the end of which both the Esami and the UniSey would have contributed to enhancing capacity in the public service.
 
When he took the stand to address everyone present, Dr Valentin said the UniSey is indeed very delighted to be affiliated with Esami, an organisation which Seychelles owns along with nine other African countries. “The relationship between the UniSey and Esami is growing fast and strong. Other than the Human Resource Management Forum which is now becoming customary, the MPA programme signifies a new direction in the relationship between the two institutions,” said Dr Valentin.

He said the Human Resource Forum, an activity which the Esami offers in Seychelles annually, demonstrates that the institution is indeed an active partner in the development of our country’s human resource capacity.

“The forum creates a platform for human resource personnel in Seychelles to deliberate on factors challenging their field of work, while at the same time to reflect on potential solutions as the way forward,” he pointed out.

Addressing the MPA students, Dr Valentin said: “Through this programme, we expect that you grow professionally and academically. Much of the hard work will have to come from you. You will have to juggle between your professional obligations and the academic requirements. While we acknowledge that it would be difficult, we count on you to set standards and achieve the best results.

 Apply yourselves fully and work vigorously,” he told the students.