CBS awards two new scholarships under its Guy Morel High Achievement Scholarship Programme |01 April 2020

• Studies deferred on account of COVID-19

Pria Chavda and Ryan Bradburn are this year’s recipients of the Guy Morel High Achievement Scholarship Programme of the Central Bank of Seychelles (CBS).

However, cognisant of the current global health crisis related to the COVID-19

pandemic, the bank has decided to defer the commencement date of the scholarship. The awardees will only be able to take up their studies once the CBS is satisfied that the threat to public health no longer exists, based upon the advice of the local health authorities.

Ms Chavda, a graduate of the School of Advanced Level Studies (Sals) where she scored grade A* in Accounting, Business and Economics and grade A in Mathematics, will be pursuing an undergraduate study programme in Banking and Finance.

Upon being informed of her award, Ms Chavda described the scholarship as a great achievement.

“It will certainly allow me to achieve my future career aspirations and will on top of all help in the development of the financial services sector of our country,” said Ms Chavda who on her part is looking forward to contribute towards the transformation of the Seychelles economy.

Mr Bradburn, currently in employment as a Capital Markets & Collective Investment Scheme Supervision Officer and holder of a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with specialisation in International Business, is set to pursue postgraduate studies in the field of Anti-Money Laundering & Compliance. Mr Bradburn noted that the scholarship is a great opportunity for further studies in his chosen field of specialisation and further added: “I feel honoured to be the recipient of this year’s scholarship and thanks to the CBS for its continuous

effort to develop a pool of qualified professionals within the Seychelles financial services industry.”

Ms Chavda and Mr Bradburn have been selected out of a pool of seven eligible applicants – three for the undergraduate and four for the postgraduate categories. The selection was done by the Scholarship Committee chaired by the second deputy Governor, Jenifer Sullivan, based on a set of clearly outlined criteria. For this year’s scholarship offer which opened on October 18, 2019, closing on February 29, 2020, applicants could for the first time apply electronically, as part of efforts to make the application process more efficient.

The Governor, Caroline Abel, has said that CBS remains committed to its efforts of helping to nurture aspiring and talented individuals wishing to pursue a career in the financial services sector.

It is to be noted that the CBS first launched its High Achievement Scholarship in February 2018. The first scholars under this programme, awarded in March 2019, are Clara Radegonde and Hilary Baron, both currently undertaking their studies at universities in the United Kingdom. Ms Radegonde is pursuing an undergraduate degree in Business Management, specialising in Financial Management, while Ms Baron is undertaking postgraduate studies in the field of Forensic Accounting. They were the successful candidates out of the five eligible applications received for that year.

Contributed by CBS