Graduation ceremony for the schools of Visual Arts and Business Studies & Accounting |16 April 2014

‘Nothing is worth achieving without an investment of effort’

This week’s Education Page brings you the full speech made by Josianne Bristol, the director of the School of Business Studies & Accounting, at the school’s graduation ceremony on Thursday last week. The graduation was jointly held with that for the School of Visual Arts.
The speech highlights some of the key achievements of the two institutions as well as pertinent messages for existing as well as potential students aspiring to further their studies.

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It is my distinct honour to welcome you all to the graduation ceremony of the Schools of Visual Arts and Business Studies and Accounting.

I would like to express a very warm welcome to the vice-president. It is indeed a great privilege to have you with us to share this momentous occasion.

Allow me to begin by congratulating the 144 graduands who are the reason we are assembled here today.This is your day and we celebrate with you this important milestone in your life.Today,you will receive your Diplomas and Advanced Certificates and we are here to bear witness to the culmination of your dedication and perseverance through your years of study. May I please ask everyone assembled to give a round of applause to the graduands of 2013.

Ladies and gentlemen, over the past two to three years these young graduands have acquired a variety of skills and have managed to broaden their knowledge and aptitude in Textile, Fashion, Graphic Design, Fine Art, Office Management & Administration and Business Studies and Accounting.

At the School of Visual Arts, students following a programme at Diploma Level can also opt for the Cambridge GCE A Level Art Exam if they want to pursue further studies in the Arts. The institution is happy to announce that in 2013 a total of 12 students sat for this exam and managed to achieve very good passes.

Students from this institution have also benefited from a range of artistic experiences last year to better prepare them for diverse functions and a thorough understanding of more contemporary artistic expressions through workshops with renowned international artists. Such opportunities have become possible as a result of the institution’s engagement and partnership with other agencies and ministries such as the National Arts Council, the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, the Ministry of Environment and Energy, Wild Life Club Seychelles and few others. We would like to thank these agencies for their continued support and we look forward to sustain these successful engagements.

It is important to note that in recent years the school has observed an increase in the number of visual arts graduates who have successfully joined the creative and cultural industries. The school strongly advocates the need for Work Based Experience which is contributing to narrow the gap between industry and training. Furthermore, it helps in providing clearer pathways and wider job opportunities in the arts.

Last year the School of Visual Arts also piloted a new unit - Entrepreneurial Business in Small Scale Enterprises - with the aim of empowering its graduates with the necessary skills and knowledge required for starting their own businesses. Other additions to the programmes, such as Digital Photograph, has also become an impetus for job opportunities and further training opportunities abroad.

At the School of Business Studies and Accounting, this year’s cohort is the first group to complete the three-year Diploma programmes in Office Management and Administration and in Business Studies and Accounting. Furthermore, this group of graduates have successfully attained up to Level 3 certificates in various subjects with City and Guilds and Level 4 Diploma in Accounting with the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) in the UK.

The graduands from both Diploma programmes have also gained valuable practical work experience in their respective fields.

Indeed, the graduands sitting here today have not only acquired theoretical knowledge; they also possess the practical know-how which has given them an edge in their job seeking endeavours and I am proud to say that 72% of graduates from the School of Business Studies and Accounting are already gainfully employed in various posts in the business and administrative fields.

I am also pleased to announce that this year a total of 16 graduands from the Diploma in Business Studies and Accounting have applied to join the ACCA course with The Guy Morel Institute University of Seychelles, and will start their studies in June if their applications are successful. Additionally, for the first time this year, students from our institution have been given the opportunity to apply for other courses with the University of Seychelles. Ten students have sent their applications to the Agency for National Human Resource Development and are waiting for a feedback.

Undoubtedly, the management and staff of the institution are very pleased with these achievements for this is definitely an indication of the quality of teaching and learning that takes place there. This is also an indication that the School of Business Studies and Accounting is a credible avenue for aspiring students who aim to go on to higher studies.

The management, staff and students of the schools of Visual Arts and Business Studies and Accounting are also proud of the achievements made in regards to validation and accreditation. Both institutions have obtained full validation for all their programmes. The validation process was a long and challenging one but our programmes have now been given a stamp of national recognition and are registered on the national qualifications framework. This means that the programmes of the two institutions are now more likely to receive the international recognition that they deserve.

Furthermore both institutions have been given provisional accreditation. We are now working on recommendations from SQA to apply for full accreditation in 2015. These are indeed cause for celebration and testament of the hard work of the different members of these two institutions.

The students of both institutions have also made their marks in the sporting and cultural scenes by participating enthusiastically in various activities and of course doing remarkably well! From Public Speaking to Moman Kreativite competitions they were a force to reckon with. You will all certainly remember the SBC Knockout Competitions I bet!
The schools of Visual Arts and Business Studies and Accounting have already started living this year’s national theme ‘Seychelles a Determined Island Nation’. It is undoubtedly great determination that has brought these two institutions such achievements. And it is certainly determination that has conveyed these graduands this far.
My Dear Graduands,

Today we celebrate an end to your formal studies. We acknowledge that you have had to keep focussed on your goals and display self-determination to attain your success. However, as I am sure you’ve been told many times; this is just the beginning. Education is a privilege and shouldn’t be thought of as ending when you leave your educational institution. Hopefully you will continue the education process for the rest of your lives.

We also celebrate today, the beginning of the next phase of your lives. You are now equipped with great qualifications. You have been trained by professionals. And you have earned the support of two institutions that will stand by you throughout your careers. We expect greatness from you. We expect you to carry the flags of these institutions high. We expect you to live by our national theme and make determination a part of your life.

As Henry Ford once said – I quote – “When everything seems to be going against you – remember that the airplane takes off against the wind and not with it!” – unquote.

Dear graduands, carry on persevering and taking off in the face of adversity. And remember that nothing is worth achieving without an investment of effort.

Remember as well to be grateful to those who give you their support. Keep in mind that the best way to show gratitude is by taking consistent action to show to one and all that what has been invested in you is being put to good use – either through good performance in higher studies or excelling in your chosen careers.

It is important to stress at this point, that these graduands were not alone in their flight towards success. Behind each and everyone of them is a story of family and friends: of parents who nourished and sacrificed; of grandparents, other family members and friends who supported and stood by them. So today my dear graduands, let us take time to honour those important people in your lives and thank them for being there for you.

Let us honour also the lecturers of the schools of Visual Arts and Business Studies and Accounting. It has been their responsibility to educate you, inspire you and strengthen you to face life after your studies. They have worked tirelessly to give you a sense of mastery of your chosen field and in the process they have forever altered the horizons in which you shall sail forward into your life. So today I join you in thanking them for all their hard work and determination to push you towards success.

We should also take this opportunity to thank the administrative and support staff of both institutions. They have performed countless tasks in their endeavour to make your time here comfortable and secure.

Thank you to the Ministry of Education for the support given to our two institutions.

Today we also honour and thank those organisations which have accommodated our graduands during their work attachments, thus helping to give them the practical skills required to complement their learning.

Our dear sponsors, your contributions have been deeply appreciated. Thank you for your continued support.

We would also like to thank the Visual Arts lecturers for developing this beautiful concept for the décor and also the graduation organising committee for all their hard work.

My dear graduands, congratulations once again. May your journey ahead be bright, fruitful and filled with determination!

Thank you.