STA’s teachers on overseas training |13 September 2014

Three Seychelles Tourism Academy teachers have been given the opportunity to upgrade their level of teaching by proceeding on overseas attachments.

Marion Etienne, head of academic programme, left on Monday September 8 for a three-month attachment at the Hebei Tourism Academy College in China.

In 2013, the Seychelles Tourism Academy (STA) signed a memorandum of understanding with the Hebei Tourism Academy College paving the way for 24 Chinese students to undertake an internship in Seychelles’ tourism establishments.

In exchange, the STA has sent Ms Etienne to China to experience the college’s teaching in its language laboratories for foreign students.

With an intake of 12,000 students, the Hebei Tourism Academy College is an excellent reference where the STA could benefit from best teaching practices in language laboratories.

With six years experience working at the academy as Resident Manager, Michel Athanase left on Wednesday September 10 for the Harbin University in north-east China.

Mr Athanase will be attached for one month at the Harbin University for a management course. The STA believes these exchanges are good incentives for its staff to develop their professional performance and deliver the same level of teaching as in reputed international tourism academies.
Both Ms Etienne and Mr Athanase are convinced their experience will become great assets to the STA.

As for Brigitte Joubert, head of Hospitality Management course (ADHM), she is making a giant leap forward in her professional career. Ms Joubert has benefited from a government’s scholarship to do a Master’s degree in sustainable tourism planning.

She is due to leave Seychelles during the course of the month for Bournemouth University in the United Kingdom where she will spend a year to validate her Masters.

A first degree holder in Tourism and Geography, Ms Joubert said sustainable tourism is a course presently offered as an Advanced Diploma and Hospitality Management and takes up to three years to complete.

She claims the Master’s degree will “complement my teaching at the STA.”
Prior to the teachers’ departure, STA principal Flavien Joubert accompanied them to Tourism and Culture Minister Alain St Ange’s office at Espace building.
Minister St Ange said it is important for the country to open new doors of opportunities for the self-empowerment of its workers.

“These attachments and studies will open up your mind on new ways of thinking,” Minister St Ange told them.
He added that the ministry will ensure that upon completion of their courses the three workers will be given new incentives.

“If you come back we will make it our duty to move you up the ladder and help you achieve new heights. The STA needs to reinforce its team and needs a new dynamism,” remarked Minister St Ange.

Congratulating principal Flavien Joubert for upholding the Ministry of Tourism and Culture’s strategy to seek “brighter horizons” for staff empowerment, Minister St Ange said his vision should be an example for other top managers of the ministry.

Tourism principal secretary Anne Lafortune was also present at the meeting.