UniSey 2016 graduation: ‘Training an important component of knowledge-based economy,’ says vice-chancellor |02 December 2016

A total of 209 students have graduated from University of Seychelles’ diploma and certificate courses. The courses have been offered through the university’s Guy Morel Institute which is based at Ma Joie.

The graduation ceremony was held yesterday morning in the University of Seychelles (UniSey) auditorium at Anse Royale. Present were deans of faculties, lecturers, university council members and the graduates’ parents and friends.

For the first time students have received diplomas in Labour Studies and Public Finance Management, with the best students being respectively Margaret Bonne and Shirley Marie along with Vania Hoarau.

The other best performers in the other diploma courses were as follows: Gustave Etheve (Accounting and Business), Lanna Jacques (Advanced Diploma in Accounting and Business), Philianne Albert (General Management), Thelma Estico and Riordan Ploughs (Human Resource Management), Debra Boniface (Office Management), Helvin Alcindor (Computing and Information System), Stephanie De l’Etourdie (Diploma in Computing and Information Technology).

For certificate courses, the following were the top recipients: Emmeleen Port-Louis (General Management), Helda Henri (Human Resource Management), Eriva Mathurin (Office Management) and Ismael Yasser (Financial and Management Accounting).

The University’s vice-chancellor Professor Dennis Hardy has described the occasion as testimony of the university’s mission to help the nation in its transition to knowledge-based economy. He went on to remark that training is an important component of achieving knowledge-based economy and that UniSey is doing just that. He emphasised that through training, the university also offers business opportunities to entrepreneurs, especially now in the growing blue economy sector.

Speaking directly to the students, the vice-chancellor told them that they will be in the forefront of change in a fast growing Seychelles. He added that though it is a difficult business to follow a university course and graduate at the end of it, he hopes they will find studies also rewarding. He reminded them that many people who are now following degree courses or have even graduated, were diploma students in the past.

Through their pledge in Creole, English and French, the graduates promised to be good ambassadors of the university in their jobs and continue to invest in their education. On behalf of her colleagues, Thelma Estico delivered a vote of thanks to UniSey, the government, their employers and family. She described her short speech as words of happiness and appreciation which are reminiscent of happy moments of life, as well as sacrifices.

She asked her fellow graduates to remain outside their comfort zone and to put their knowledge and skills into practice with an open heart.