Johnette Dodin wins President’s Cup at STA graduation |15 June 2009

At the International Conference Centre on Friday, she was also awarded a laptop, one month’s placement at the Constance Academy in Mauritius, a return ticket to Mauritius and a glass trophy.

Vice-President Joseph Belmont presented Mrs Dodin – a mature student already working as a junior sous chef at the Hilton Northolme Seychelles hotel – with her prizes before an audience of cheering colleagues and guests.

The event had a number of special guests, including the Minister for Foreign Affairs Patrick Pillay, Minister for Employment and Human Resources Development Macsuzy Mondon, French ambassador to Seychelles Philippe Delacroix, leader of the opposition in the National Assembly Wavel Ramkalawan, MNAs, staff of the STA and Seychelles Tourism Board and students’ parents.

In his speech, STA principal Flavien Joubert said the academy has had to adapt to the constant changes in the tourism industry and has improved the services it offers because of it.

“The STA has been able to adapt to the changing needs of the profession to benefit today’s graduates, future graduates, and the hospitality and tourism industry which we serve,” he said.

“All the positive changes and adaptations have helped the academy this year to have a total of 700 students following the different courses on the campus at La Misere and on Praslin.

“Further to that, since March this year the academy has conducted in-service courses for over 250 mature students.”
A total of 64 students graduated yesterday in five courses, with diplomas in restaurant and bar services, and in food production, advanced certificates in tourism and tour guiding and apprenticeship certificates in restaurant and bar services.
 
Awards were given out for the best practical and academic performers – Maria Rapide for the restaurant and bar course, Johnette Dodin for food production, Hazel Julienne for tourism and tour guiding, and Tasiana Rath for the apprenticeship course.

The outstanding effort award went to Karl Asba from the advanced certificate course in tourism and tour guiding while Kevin Albert, a trainee lecturer, received his City and Guilds certificate after completing a course in tourism and tour guiding.