Airtel opens third wi-fi centre at Sals |15 May 2015

Telecommunication company Airtel has opened a third wi-fi free internet resource centre at the School of Advanced Level Studies (Sals) at Anse Royale.

Education Minister Macsuzy Mondon and the managing director of Airtel Amadou Dina unveiled the plaque to officially open the third internet centre at Sals.

This was on Wednesday afternoon in the presence of key education and Seychelles National Youth Council (SNYC) officials, Airtel staff and students. The centre will be used by students and teachers of the school as well as those from the neighbouring School of Visual Arts.

This has been possible following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the SNYC, the Ministry of Education, the Department of Information Technology (DICT) and Airtel in April 2014 under which the telecommunication company would provide free internet access.

A first centre was opened at the Seychelles Institute for Teachers Education (Site) in September 2014 and a second was set up in the documentation centre of the Ministry of Education in March this year.

Sals director Lester Omondi highlighted that this event marks yet another milestone in the partnership between the Ministry of Education, SNYC and Airtel with regards to digital technology.

Mr Omondi added that wireless network opens up a world of opportunities previously not possible and makes teaching and learning in general more appealing for teachers and students respectively. “This free wi-fi centre will improve education and enable lecturers from our two institutions to access online educational resources in order to help them with teaching techniques to make their lessons more interesting,” Mr Omondi pointed out.

SNYC deputy chief executive Alvin Laurence commended the hard work by the Ministry of Education to ensure the successful opening of these three centres and expressed his gratitude to Airtel for making it happen.

“Education is one of the most important pillars of the country and as a company we will always partner in educating and developing our youths through technology, our products and services,” Mr Dina said.

“You are the future of the country and we are here to help you connect with the rest of the world,” he further noted.

Axelle Bodwell, a Sals second year student, said they are proud to see that higher authorities are attentive to the voice of the youth by responding to the need for better facilities and learning tools and she also took a pledge on behalf of her fellow students to make good use of the centre.

The head of Airtel Money and Prepaid, Navneet Singh, made a brief presentation on Airtel Youth Club and other packages offered by the telecommunication company.