Commonwealth Students Association rep describes meeting with President as productive |07 July 2023

Ms Labiche and Ms Brioche in a souvenir photograph with President Ramkalawan

Seychelles’ representative for the Commonwealth Students Association who is also a student at the University of Seychelles, Trishia Labiche, and the university’s vice-president of the Students Union, Samia Brioche, paid a courtesy call on President Wavel Ramkalawan at State House, yesterday morning.

The Commonwealth Students Association is a body that represents 1.6 million students globally and it is where student leaders convene to discuss pressing education issues and their role in the Commonwealth education sector.

Ms Labiche said since this year is considered to be the year of the youths, they are taking the initiative to engage the youths into programmes that will benefit their future aspirations.

“These programmes include educational opportunities such as scholarships and activities that can give them additional knowledge for implementation in their professional lives,” she said. She added that this also aligns with community work involving all youths.

She described her discussions with the head of state as very productive. “It was nice to know that we have his support in anything we want to do related to the Commonwealth Students Association,” said Ms Labiche.

Her message to the youths of Seychelles is the famous Creole saying ‘Leve debrouye’ (translated to ‘rise up and fend for yourself’) as she encouraged them to put themselves out there and try their hardest to work for what they want and believe in.

For her part, Ms Brioche said at the university, they encourage students to take part in several activities and she was very proud of Ms Labiche for taking this huge step.

“The meeting with the president was really interactive. We always ask our students to have this form of relationship, which is fully supported by the chancellor of the University of Seychelles,” she concluded.

Diane Larame

Photo: Louis Toussaint