SIT’s 2012 graduation ceremony-Leeroy Gamatis clinches President’s Cup |20 April 2013

Leeroy, who received the President’s Cup from Vice-President Danny Faure, was among 180 other students who had successfully completed their studies in various courses at different levels, including at apprenticeship mode of training.

Held at the International Conference Centre, the event saw the presence of Vice-President Danny Faure, cabinet ministers, members of the National Assembly, the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly David Pierre, and other high government officials.

Also present were representatives of various businesses and parents of the graduates.
The graduates had successfully completed studies from 11 training programmes in the field of building construction and engineering at the Seychelles Institute of Technology (SIT). The programmes were at certificate, advanced certificate and advanced diploma level.

Addressing those present, the institution’s director Jean Rassool said graduation is an important occasion which acknowledges the achievement of any school’s students following the time and effort they have put in their training.

“Students on the plumbing programme were noticeably the best performers. They consistently performed well over the year and passed all their modules at the first attempt. They were also the best behaved group at the institution,” he said.

“Whereas students on the mechanical engineering programmes had more re-sits in some training modules in order to achieve the required pass mark for their certificates. This was partly due to considerable movement of lecturers in the mechanical engineering field.”

He added that the prompt recruitment of part-time lecturers and the effort and determination of the students towards the end of the programme has paid off, as only one student still needs to re-sit some modules to qualify for his certificate.

“Some of you have by now secured work and it is important at this stage to work and gain valuable experience in your trade to give value to the certificate you have acquired today. It is equally important that you remain abreast of evolution in your trade, which could be in form of new materials, new tools, and new techniques. Make use of available technology to do useful work and stay connected with your institution for advice, further training and employment opportunities,” he said.

After all the graduates had received their certificates, there was also presentation of awards for the best performers in all the courses.

The recipients are Welon Lafortune (advanced certificate in carpentry and joinery), Leeroy Gamatis (certificate in electrical installation), Marcus Germain (advanced certificate in electrical and electronics), Michael Joubert (advanced certificate in masonry), Ryan Sinon (advanced certificate mechanical engineering), Dominic Moustache (certificate in motor vehicle engineering), Nicol Bamboche (advanced certificate in motor vehicle engineering), Christy Legras (certificate in painting and decorating), Jean-Paul Bacco (certificate in plumbing), Savio Monthy (certificate in refrigeration and air-conditioning), and Rajesh Kerai (advanced diploma in construction industry).

The best performer for the certificate courses is Jean-Paul Bacco, while Leeroy Gamatis won the President’s Cup.

The SIT has existed for the past eight years, and has trained approximately 2,400 graduates since its opening.