Interview with Dean Morel, outstanding performer at SIT graduation ceremony |11 May 2018

‘I want to be on the same page and speak the same language as my father’

On April 5, 2018, 20-year-old Dean Morel was bestowed with the outstanding performer award during the Seychelles Institute of Technology’s (SIT) graduation ceremony. This followed his successful completion of a three-year Technician Diploma in Construction course.

The young graduate was presented with the President’s Cup by Designated Minister Macsuzy Mondon and also received an award for his environmentally-friendly project and for winning the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) award.

The Seychelles NATION spoke to Dean to learn more about his journey.

Seychelles NATION: What can you tell us about yourself?

Dean Morel: I am a meek guy with a passion for building designs. I have been residing at Barbarons Estate for the past 10 years after moving from La Misère where I spent my childhood and attended school from crèche up to primary school. Thereafter, I proceeded to Anse Boileau Secondary School.

After completing secondary level, and having always wanted to know about construction principles and to design buildings according to my imagination, this is where the Seychelles Institute of Technology (SIT) came into the picture, and my journey there started in 2015 - 2017.

My hobby is playing the piano; I am not a professional player but I can compose and play sweet and relaxing melodies. This hobby has taught me more than just musical knowledge; it has taught me perseverance, determination and patience.

Seychelles NATION: What inspired your decision to join the course at SIT?

Dean Morel: The course is essential for our country as we are still developing as a small island state, and construction is a key component when it comes to development. In turn, this also means that there will be many job opportunities in the construction field.

Secondly, because my father owns a construction company, I wanted to be on the same page and speak the same language as him (using construction terms).

Seychelles NATION: Tell us about your journey at SIT.

 Dean Morel: My time at SIT is full of memories which always crack me up whenever we have a small reunion and reminisce them; I will forever cherish these in my heart.

I have covered various modules at SIT including City & Guilds and the prerequisite ones offered by the school. I found them interesting but challenging at times, especially the Environmental Science and Structural Mechanics module, but they will surely come in handy when one joins the world of work.

At the end of the first year at SIT, you join professionals in the world of work with the aim of gaining some experience. I advise students to make the most out of this, as it might also be an opportunity to establish some contacts and to secure a job upon graduation.

I faced various challenges while at SIT, e.g. due to the location of the school, I had to take two buses every morning, but then after doing this every day, I got used to it. Also, due to a lack of vegetation where the school is located, it can get very hot, but in order to help us cope with the heat, we were moved to air-conditioned rooms for afternoon sessions.

There have been good times and bad times throughout the course. However, the good times cancel out the bad ones like a simple maths equation, as I am a positive person. Who didn’t enjoy their college life? This is the point in life where it gets adventurous.

Seychelles NATION: Why do you think you were awarded the outstanding performer?

Dean Morel: The criteria for a student to be given this award varies from attendance, academic performance (passing all modules) and participation in school activities.

I wasn’t expecting it as I wasn’t an active person in sport activities representing the institution. However, I believe I managed to achieve such an award due to my participation in the Australian Maths competition twice in a row; in the national debate about Constitutional Day; and in the Immersive Sustainable Exhibition where I won first prize on the professional level with my sustainable building design.

Seychelles NATION: How did you feel on your graduation day?

Dean Morel: I was excited to meet my friends again as we are all scattered and busy with work after completing the course.

It was a moment of suspense when the speaker was reading out the profile of the winner, and my friends were shouting out my name, but I wasn’t certain it was me until it was mentioned that the recipient had participated in the Australian Maths competition – then I knew it was me.

I was overwhelmed with joy when my name was announced; it was like a rollercoaster of emotions inside me. My friends, family and classmates who were there were really proud of me and said that I deserved it.

Seychelles NATION: What are some of the challenges in the construction industry, especially for a youth?

Dean Morel: The main challenges faced by mostly all technicians is keeping ourselves up to date with technology as we progress to the new technological era with new developments and types of building designs, as well as being innovative. However, these can be surmounted through research and willingness to learn new things; as the saying goes ‘you never stop learning’.

I advise and encourage other youth who are willing to chase their dreams and take up these challenges to join the industry, as there is much to learn and they can be a part of big developments. However, they need to stay positive, set their targets and goals, and very importantly, they should join this industry if they really love and want to be part of construction.

Seychelles NATION: Where are you currently working and what is your role?

Dean Morel: I am working with the Department of Risk and Disaster Management as a disaster management officer in the engineering section where I do the following:

-                       Risk assessments

-                       Conduct pre-development assessments

-                       Incident management

-                       Compliant management

-                       Conduct rapid assessments in case of hazardous events

-                       Conduct probabilistic assessments

-                       Propose recommendations

-                       Report writing

Seychelles NATION: What are your plans for the future?

Dean Morel: I plan to go for further studies, to be specialised in my field and sprout up as a young entrepreneur, operating and managing my own business. What I would like to achieve is confidential for now, but time will tell.

Photo sources: Dean Morel