Launch of new scholarship programme on environmental conservation |20 October 2023
Said accepting his scholarship documents from Mr Thorrington in the presence of Dr Rocamora
Seychellois individuals working in the field of environmental conservation will have the chance to pursue their studies and get a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Environmental Science, thanks to a new scholarship programme.
Said Harryba, an employee of the Island Conservation Society (ICS), is the first recipient of the Corvina Environmental Conservation Scholarship,and is currently at the University of Seychelles (UniSey) following a three-year course in this field.
The new scholarship is an initiative by Corvina Investment Company and is targeting Seychellois individuals working in the fields of environmental conservation and/or sustainability.
It is also targeting individuals who have demonstrated dedication and passion in their work for the conservation of Seychelles’atolls and islands.
The company will award a full scholarship at UniSey comprising of tuition fees and annual stipend to the recipient.
Said was presented with his scholarship certificate from Corvina Investment Company in a short ceremony held on Tuesday.
Attending the ceremony were the co-founder and member of ICS’ board of trustees Gérard Rocamora; chief executive of Corvina Investment Company, Rod Thorrington; ICS chief executive, Norman Weber; vice-chancellor of the UniSey, Joelle Perreau; dean of the faculty of sustainable development, Micheal Hall; head of the environment department, Dr Nuette Gordon; staff of ICS and the company. Also present was Said’s mother, Magda Rose.
Said has clocked seven years as an employee of ICS. He started working with the organisation after leaving the Seychelles Maritime Academy in 2016 and has since engaged in many conservation projects, especially on Silhouette, where he recently held the post of assistant conservation officer.
The young man, who is very passionate about conserving Seychelles’ natural environment, has also followed relevant short courses locally and overseas and displayed good leadership skills and love for nature.
Corvina Investment Company believes that the scholarship will motivate more Seychellois to join this sector and ensure that the country has more qualified local conservationists on atolls and islands within our archipelago.
“With this scholarship, we hope to invest in our staff, especially those whom we know are truly passionate about conservation and could make a difference to our organisation and to this field in general,” Mr Weber said in a press release.
“We hope this new initiative will not only motivate the ICS staff but also inspire them to take pride in their work and to encourage others as well.”
The Corvina Environmental Conservation Scholarship will be awarded on a yearly basis. At present, only students applying for a BSc in Environmental Science with the UniSey will be eligible for this scholarship.
Mr Rocamora congratulated Said for this achievement and wished him all the very best in his studies. He also spoke on the importance of capacity building within ICS.
Mr Thorrington said this is a great way to encourage, groom and recognise local talents in the environmental sector and support them in boosting their knowledge.
On his part, Said thanked Corvina Investment Company, ICS and his family for the support, trust and belief in his ability.
Corvina Investment Company is a second-generation, 100% Seychelles-owned investment company. Its portfolio spans across multiple clusters in the Seychelles, including logistics, hospitality, insurance, real estate, and consumer goods.
ICS is a science-based conservation organisation in the Seychelles. Its mission is to promote the conservation and restoration of the ecosystems and sustainable development of islands. It also aims to bring more awareness on their vulnerability and vital importance to the planet's biodiversity.
