Scottish institute and UniSey collaborate in marine science |07 April 2016

The University of Seychelles (UniSey) and the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate in research and education in marine science.

This will include sustainable coastal ecosystem-based management, resource use and related disciplines.

The MoU was signed yesterday between the vice-chancellor of UniSey Professor Dennis Hardy and Adams Hughes of SAMS in a ceremony at the British high commission in Victoria.

Also present at the ceremony was the British high commissioner to Seychelles Caron Röhsler.

Speaking on the essence of the MoU, Ms Röhsler said it is the continuation of a long and well-established UK-Seychelles education and academic ties citing as examples Seychellois following syllabuses in IGCSE and A level; degrees offered by the UniSey are accredited by the University of London and the official inauguration of UniSey in 2010 attended by Her Royal Highness, Princess Anne, who is chancellor of the London university while a sizeable proportion of the upper echelon of the government and business community in general have graduated from British universities.

She said SAMS’ expertise in mariculture, aquaculture, renewable energy and a range of other ocean potentials have impressed conference organisers and delegates from SAMS were equally impressed by the commitment and energy that the government here is investing in the development of Seychelles Blue economy.

“The involvement of SAMS is just one strand of the British support in the development and realisation of Seychelles Blue economy. Our navy has helped secure Seychelles’ EEZ and British economists and staff of the Prince of Wales International Sustainability Unit have also helped to further develop the Blue bonds initiative. SAMS and other British institutions like them are ready to work with Seychelles in its the Blue economy programme,” said Ms Röhsler.

Prof. Hardy expressed his appreciation of the signing of the agreement and added at the UniSey they will do what they can to promote one of the major strategies of the Seychelles nation, which is the Blue economy.

“And we will now be aligning with one of the world’s leading centres for marine sciences,” he said, describing SAMS as a very impressive organisation which makes UniSey feel privileged to be associated with.

Mr Hughes commended the Seychelles environment and feels privileged to have worked at the Blue Economy Institute at UniSey for a three-month duration at the beginning of this year.

“In just three months I have seen the massive amount of potentials there is within this institute and within the Seychelles as a wider area. I think the Blue economy has the real potential to transform Seychelles’ livelihood and economy,” he said.

Describing the Seychelles environment as stunning and beautiful at an aesthetic level and very important economically, Mr Hughes said the Seychelles government’s decision to place its development around the Blue economy is a great idea as the country has a massive marine resource.

He said SAMS is analysing how to use this resource sustainably as they have lots of expertise in renewables, aquaculture, fisheries and biotechnology, naming some.