Over 80 maritime students graduate |06 April 2016
• Jadel Labrosse outstanding student
Jadel Labrosse has received the president’s cup as the Seychelles Maritime Academy’s (SMA) outstanding student for 2015.
This was during the institution’s graduation ceremony which was held yesterday afternoon at the International Conference Centre (ICCS).
A total of 87 students received certificates after following various specialised two- year courses.
Jadel, who also received a laptop from the hands of the president, has been equally awarded a scholarship for further studies by the Agency for National Human Resource Development (ANHRD).
The graduation ceremony took place in the presence of the Minister for Education Macsuzy Mondon, other ministers, French Ambassador Lionel Majesté-Larrouy, principal secretary responsible for tertiary education Linda Barallon, SMA staff as well as the graduates’ parents.
The other best performers in their respective fields of study were: Jeremy Albert (navigation and seamanship), Reuben André (marine mechanic), Ryan Marianne (fishing technology) and Annie Vidot (fisheries science and fishing technology). Annie also received the prize for best effort while Julio Labrosse was rewarded as the student with the most improved behaviour.
Apart from their certificate, the best performers received a shield, navigation equipment, a mobile phone as well as a cash prize.
Addressing the graduates and guests, SMA director Captain Desh Dipak Awasthi said that the academy is providing professionals for international maritime and fishing business and at the same time permitting Seychelles to play its role in the industry.
The present partnership of the Colombo International Nautical and Engineering College (Cinec), he added, represents the dawn of a new era which has permitted the institution to adopt a change of strategy.
He named some of the partnership’s achievements as the school’s ISO certification and Seychelles’ name added to the IMO (International Maritime Organisation) White List. He described the achievements as crucial for the development of the Blue economy.
Captain Awasthi noted that as a result of better management, more students are joining the academy.
Quoting Nelson Mandela who said that “education is the most powerful tool that can change the world”, he advised the graduates to bring the skills acquired to their place of work and become real professionals of the maritime and fishing industry.
He also called on employees not to hesitate to employ graduates from the SMA, which he says aims to be the premier maritime training institute in the Indian Ocean and SADC regions.
This, he adds, will be possible with the help of partners and what he calls “a great team of maritime professionals” who surround them.
On behalf of his fellow graduates, Emily Fred thanked the SMA for its training and all the institutions who accepted them on work attachment.
She was also grateful to their teachers and parents and has promised to use “the wings obtained to fly to become maritime professionals”.
