UniSey graduation - 64 get their degrees |17 November 2017

A group of 64 under and post-graduate students from the University of Seychelles (UniSey) for the year 2017 graduated yesterday afternoon.

It was the vice-chancellor of UniSey, Professor Denis Hardy, who presented the students with their degree and masters certificates in a ceremony held at the university’s auditorium at Anse Royale.

Present were the chancellor of UniSey, former President of the Republic of Seychelles, James Michel; the Minister for Education and Human Resource Development, Joel Morgan; the Commissioner of Police Kishnan Labonte; members of the diplomatic corps; UniSey council members; registrar; principal secretaries; parents; among other invitees.

The ceremony, which kicked off with a blessing by Reverend Christine Benoit, was also punctuated by musical intervals by the National Choir.

Six students excelled as best performers in their respective field of study and they were rewarded for their achievements. They are Gibran Rizvi (Bachelor of Science in Computing and Information Systems), Ketlynn Marie (Bachelor of Law), Thessia Kilindo (Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with International Business), Keith Mondon (Bachelor of Science in Economics and Finance), Sabina Henriette (Association of Chartered Certified Accountant - ACCA Affiliate) and Doreen Zelia (Master of Public Administration).

Rizvi, Kilindo and Mondon also received a masters scholarship sponsored by the government of Seychelles through the Agency for National Human Resource Development (ANHRD). 

This year UniSey has introduced a new faculty dean award. The Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Development award went to Gibran Rizvi, the Dean of the Faculty for Business and Sustainable Development award went to Keith Mondon while Marie-André Sally won the Dean of the Faculty for Business and Professional Development award.

During the ceremony three entrepreneurs were honoured for their profound contributions towards education and enterprises to the improvement of the quality of life of our nation. Construction businessman Vijay Patel, sales businessman Basil Soundy and pharmacist Behramsha Udwedia were honoured with UniSey’s Doctorate Honorary Award. It was the chairperson of UniSey Council Margaret Pillay who honoured the three businessmen.

Prof. Hardy said that UniSey had gone a long way and achieved a lot since its conception in 2007 with the first batch of students entering the university in 2009.

He said that the university has worked very hard so that certificates obtained from the university has valued reputation.

He noted that the university is now firstly a symbolic institution in the Seychelles and is living up to the expectations of the people.

“The second function of the university is to drive forward the economy and to help the society to reach new levels. It has always been our priority to provide the skills so that the economy becomes a knowledge based economy,” he said.

He said that UniSey is part of the community and is learning a lot from the society.  

He praised the graduates for the efforts they have put in to achieve their goals and he stated it was not so easy for those who had to study while still at work.

“I think we have come a long way. We have passed a number of landmarks. We wouldn’t have been able to do this on our own without the help of many people,” he said as the thanked the chancellor and all who have contributed to those achievements.

Prof. Hardy also shared his dream on how UniSey has to look by the year 2030 starting with the turning of the existing site to a new high tech university with accommodation for 2000 local and foreign students thus attaining the vision of being the hub for learning in the Indian Ocean.

Best performer in Bachelor of Science in Economics and Finance and also the Dean of Faculty for Business and Sustainable Development awardee, Keith Mondon, who will also be seeking for a further diploma to develop in his investment operation career, said: “After three years of hard work, I am very proud of my achievement and I am very happy that my family is with me to share my happiness.”

Doreen Zelia, best performer in Master of Public Administration and who works with the Agency for the Prevention of Drugs and Alcohol Abuse in the President’s Office, said: “It’s been two tough difficult years since 2015. I had to stay focused, with lots of sacrifices, waking up early in the morning to study and with work plus home commitments, it played down on me and I am very happy with  my achievement.”