Masters in Public Administration |26 December 2017
Second cohort get their degree
Ten of the 15 students who formed part of the 2nd cohort to follow the two-year Masters in Public Administration received their degree in a short ceremony late last week at the Reflec 3.
Shella Mohideen, the Dean of the Guy Morel Institute, presented the group with their degree.
The Masters in Public Administration (MPA) was initiated by President Danny Faure a few years ago when he was vice-president and head of the Department of Public Administration (DPA). He firmly believed that to bring transformation in the public sector it is important to train leaders and the then Seychelles Institute Management (SIM) was awarded the mandate to develop and deliver the training which it did in collaboration with the University of ESAMI in Arusha, Tanzania.
“With the degree you have been equipped to do things differently because we cannot expect different results and better outcomes if we do not change the way we do things,” Ms Mohideen said before presenting the group with their degree.
The course itself consisted of 17 modules and one dissertation, which was conducted on a part-time basis over a period of two years.
Their dissertations addressed various issues related to public sectors management, this in itself will help the management to be equipped with more skills and knowledge to enhance the public sectors management.
The first graduation took place here at the UniSey, Anse Royale on November 16, and the second one at the University of ESAMI in Arusha, Tanzania on November 25, given that the course was being conducted by the two institutions.
Two students were awarded in the ceremony in Arusha; one was for Overall Best Performer which went to Doreen Zelia and the other the Leadership Award went to Endra Ha-Tiff Fred.
“It was not easy when you have to balance work, family and studies. It was really a very demanding process whereby a lot of reading and research was required and we made a lot of sacrifices,” Ms Ha-Tiff Fred, a senior manager at the Department of Public Administration (DPA), said.
To have been awarded the leadership Award Ms Ha-Tiff Fred said it crowned her hard work, strong commitment and devotion and today she is happy and proud to have managed to complete the programme.
For her part Ms Zelia said it is a great honour for her as it shows all her hard work and many sacrifices have paid off in the end.
As the executive director in the office of the Secretary of State for the Prevention of Drug Abuse and Rehabilitation, Ms Zelia said the training has to a great extent broadened her horizon on a wide range of other aspects related to public administration.
“I am really very happy and proud to have succeeded in clinching the award and I will use the newly acquired knowledge to continue to improve and make a difference in public administration,” Ms Zelia said.
The group expressed their heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported them all throughout their training.