Tourism academy instills responsibility in students |16 June 2014

Students at the Seychelles Tourism Academy (STA) now know more about the value responsibility and how to incorporate it in their everyday lives and work.
In a bid to instill this important value in its students, the STA in collaboration with the Seychelles National Youth Council (SNYC) organised an outreach day under the theme ‘Responsibility’ as part of the Values For One – Values For All programme.

The activity took place at the academy’s La Misère campus on Friday in the presence of the SNYC’s chief executive Vicky van der Westhuizen; director general Patrick Nicette; officials of the Ministry of Education, SNYC and that of STA, as well as students and staff.

The outreach day was also to prepare the students to face the difficulties and challenges which they will encounter in the industry as they will be going on their work attachment in a few weeks’ time.

It was also a means for them to show what they know about responsibility and how they can apply it in their studies, work and everyday lives.

Addressing the students, the STA registrar Ibrahim Mohamed Ali quoted Lorie Myers: “The power behind taking responsibility for your actions lies in putting an end to negative thought patterns. You no longer dwell on what went wrong or focus on whom you are going to blame. You don't waste time building roadblocks to your success. Instead, you are set free and can now focus on succeeding.”

Noting that the STA’s academic motto is to nurture discipline and mould attitudes, Mr Ali said it is the STA’s responsibility to offer training programmes that meet the demand and needs of the various sectors of the tourism and hospitality industry.

And towards its students, it has the responsibility to ensure that they are prepared for the outside world, the world of work where they as young adults will have to learn to make their own decisions, learn to be responsible for themselves and for others.

Giving an overview of the ‘Values For One – Values For All’ programme, Mrs van der Westhuizen advised the students that when in the world of work they have to act responsibly and put in application all the knowledge and values that their academy has instilled in them.

“You who will have to prepare the room for the client, it is your responsibility to make sure that nothing goes wrong and nothing is missing after the room is done. You who will be waitresses you have to always put a smile on your face no matter what mood you woke up in that morning; it is your responsibility to be there at the clients’ table as soon as they are seated no matter if they are Seychellois or tourists,” Mrs van der Westhuizen advised the youths when citing some areas of work like waitress, housekeeper, receptionist which call for a responsible attitude at all times.
She also told the students that they need to be responsible every time even when not on duty.

Mrs van der Westhuizen also urged the students to be more appreciative, respectful and grateful in life.
“Seize the opportunity now. Take your responsibility. Make your parents proud. Make your school proud. And make yourself proud,” Mrs van der Westhuizen told them.
The event was also highlighted by spiritual interventions, poems, songs and testimonies all based on the theme responsibility.