Time for higher studies: what you need to know |26 January 2017

The Agency for National Human Resource Development (ANHRD) gathered all the students (accompanied by their parents) who successfully completed their A-levels with 12 points and above to raise students’ awareness of the application process that they will be undertaking while applying for their scholarship.

A presentation was made to the concerned crowd at the Site auditorium yesterday by Manuella Vidot, senior scholarship administrator and Nadia Lauricourt.  The ANHRD chief executive Terrence Françoise answered queries from the parents and the future beneficiaries.

The mandate of the ANHRD is to promote nationally all matters related to training and development of human resources. Further to its mandate is to promote life-long learning and professional development and training with strong emphasis on national priority areas.

The Government of Seychelles (GOS) Scholarship Scheme is based on 4 main principles: Equal opportunity for tertiary education for all Seychellois; Training in areas of national priority; Students need to meet set criteria; Scholarships are awarded subject to availability of funds.

In order to apply for a GOS Scholarship, a student needs to apply for a placement with the desired University – Approved Venues; secure placement with the University; fill in the GOS Scholarship Application Form and attach the documents: copy of certificates; copy of transcript; Letter of Offer from University; passport size photo; copy of ID card and copy of parents pay slip or tax return certificates.

There are different categories of scholarships. Foreign Government Scholarship to study abroad means you have a full scholarship. There are some scholarships that are awarded by foreign governments or organisations (Commonwealth & AUSAid programmes) and these are joint scholarships.

And there are those awarded jointly by ANHRD and foreign governments or organisations such as China, Russia, Serbia. These scholarships are awarded as and when available.

After acceptance of GOS Scholarship, the next steps will be receiving a GOS Scholarship acceptance letter; provide banking details; fill out financial soundness form for bonding agreement; sign bonding agreement before leaving/ or commencement for study; issued with e-ticket and pre-departure briefing.

Point System – Criteria

Students scoring 18 academic points and above are automatically qualified to study abroad in an approved venue and if the chosen course is not offered at the University of Seychelles. If students want to choose another university apart from the Unisey, the parents will have to make a contribution towards the course.

Students scoring 12 academic points and above are qualified to go to the University of Seychelles

The high achievers -  Minimum 3 A’s,  the students must, in one sitting, score a minimum of 3 A’s in their GCE A-Level examinations and the selected course must be an ANHRD’s approved field of study. The selected venue must be a Seychelles Qualifications Authority (SQA)/ANHRD endorsed tertiary institution/venue. The Government will, based on validation of the SQA, consider approving scholarships in other non-approved venues of equivalent costs.

Training cost & bonding duration

The total training cost for international venues include: tuition cost – depending on duration of study; monthly stipend – depending on country; life insurance; visa; yearly book & clothing allowance; establishment allowance – given once; airfares – at the start of study & at the end of study; not given for holidays- with ANHRD selected airlines and 20kg baggage allowance upon completion of study.

The bonding period will depend on the cost of your total training cost

total training cost for national venues includes tuition costs – depending on duration of study and the monthly stipend – differs for Mahé students and Praslin & La Digue students.

The bonding period will depend on the cost of your total training cost.

A-level students who score grade A in 3 subjects or more; the outstanding performer of each professional centres (MTC, SAHTC, SIT, NIHSS, STA, Seychelles Polytechnic, SALS and SPA); pre-service students whose aggregated parental income is less than R12,000.00, after tax and other mandatory deductions and students who select training in top priority fields – teaching, medicine, tourism and hospitality management – are eligible for full scholarships.

For other courses, criteria and priority list, the parents and students can find the information on  www.anhrd.sc

Once scholarship awarded, the student cannot change their career choice once they have submitted  application form. The student cannot defer on their scholarship and they have to provide the ANHRD with their postal address, phone number(s) & e-mail addresses. The student must successfully pass all exams and must refrain from engaging in any activity that is considered potentially detrimental to their progress during studies.

If the bonding agreement is not signed by both guarantor and student prior to commencement of studies, ANHRD reserves the right not to pay for any course related fees.

Upon completion of their training students must immediately send their academic transcript and copy of certificate to ANHRD and must forward their curriculum vitae to ANHRD for circulation to employing organisations to facilitate employment. They shall return and work in Seychelles within 2 months upon completion of study and shall take up employment in Seychelles for a minimum period of 2 years before applying for specialisation.

High achievers will be given the opportunity to do their honours degree straight after their first degree dependent on the requirements of their profession.

This is the time for students and parents to visit the office of the ANHRD from Monday to Friday from 8am to noon at Le Chantier Mall or can visit the site www.anhrd.sc for more information.