211 graduate from tourism academy |19 July 2018

• ‘Never give up on your dreams,’ says President’s Cup winner Anil Esparon

Anil Esparon, a student who studied for an advanced certificate in food preparation and culinary arts, clinched the President’s Cup and other coveted prizes for excelling in everything -- from studies to social and community activities -- he took part in during the two years spent at the Seychelles Tourism Academy.

Anil was among the 211 students who made their country, their families, their institution and of course themselves proud for having successfully completed their chosen courses in the hospitality industry and graduated with all the pomp and ceremony.

The colourful ceremony took place yesterday afternoon at the ICCS in the presence of the Designated Minister Macsuzy Mondon and a host of distinguished guests who included the minister responsible for tourism Didier Dogley; the director of Shannon College Dr Philip Smyth; former president of the University of Ireland Dr Jim Brown; the vice- chancellor of the UniSey Dr Justin Valentin; Vincent Esnouf, the HR manager of Constance Hotels; other key personalities and their proud parents.

The ceremony was punctuated by congratulatory messages and words of encouragement, by both the principal of the STA Flavien Joubert and Dr Smyth.

Expressing his joy after receiving the President’s Cup from Designated Minister Mondon and numerous other prizes from the hands of the ever faithful sponsors, Anil  said: “I know I worked hard and did everything else that I did with all my heart and with determination but I also know that there were other nominees for the prize, students who worked as hard, but I am really happy that all my hard work has been rewarded.”

“My hard work, determination and perseverance in my studies and being always ready to help others as well as respond positively to any call to take part in any activity, my ability to balance everything, have all contributed to my success today,” Anil said.

He added that during the two years at the STA the lecturers have always been ready to support and assist students and push them to produce the best of results.

For all their encouragement, commitment and dedication to their students, Anil expressed heartfelt gratitude to all of them. “They have helped me on the road to my future and I am grateful for that.”

“I am really happy and I thank God for all the strength, my parents for their unfailing support and for believing in me,” Anil added.

For all students of the STA Anil has this message: “Never feel discouraged; it is tough, hard and very challenging but you have to be determined, you have to persevere and never give up on your dreams.”

For all students aspiring to follow a training course at the STA, Anil says: “Go to STA with a vision and stick to it, work hard, think of your future. Never give up on your dreams, always persevere to succeed and make your dream come true.”

Anil’s dream is to be a recognised chef in Seychelles one day and he is looking forward to putting all his skills into practice.

The students have graduated in 10 different courses which they followed for one and a half to three years.

Each of the 10 training programmes rewarded a best academic performer, a best practical performer as well as a student who showed the best effort in his or her studies.

The Seychelles National Youth Council (SNYC) also rewarded a student who has shown the most improved performance and this year this award went to Jean Luc Alice, a student who graduated at certificate level in restaurant and bar.

Stephanie Hoareau, who studied for an Advanced Diploma in Hospitality Management (ADHM), clinched the Leadership Award as well as other prizes.

Two students, the most outstanding who studied at Certificate and  Advanced Certificate level received the Tourism Minister’s Award and they were Emillianna Victor who followed a course in food preparation and culinary arts and Jean-Christophe Gerry who was enrolled on a reception operations and services course.   

The ceremony was also punctuated by a song performance by lecturers  as well as a dance medley by the students.

ADHM graduate Juliette Ernesta delivered a vote of thanks on behalf of her fellow graduates.

She expressed heartfelt gratitude to the lecturers who do their best to ensure their students succeed.

She retraced the long road often full of all kinds of obstacles and  barriers which they have had to surmount, the bad and the good moments all leading to their graduation.

She has called on her fellow graduates to remain focused on their chosen careers and to always remember that “nobody gave you the certificates and diplomas but you worked hard to earn them” so continue to work hard.

She also called on government to continue investing in the STA and to continue to push for Seychellois to take ownership of the tourism industry.