Wise Oceans Marine Scholarship Programme   |14 December 2023

Hansa Freminot freediving during coral nursery maintenance with Wise Oceans, based at Four Seasons Resort Seychelles

Forging new careers in Seychelles’ ocean sector

This year Wise Oceans and partners are delighted to be delivering the second year of their Marine Scholarship Programme, funded by the SeyCCAT Blue Grant scheme.

The Marine Scholarship Programme (MSP) is a comprehensive nine-month training for Seychelles nationals aged 18-25, which aids young adults in gaining training and experience in the marine sector; helping them to launch careers in the Blue Economy and marine conservation field, and to create the next generation of highly skilled professionals, innovators, and stewards of the Seychelles marine environment.

The MSP is unique in that it does not ask for previous education requirements from trainees – only dedication and passion for the field.

The main programme is delivered by Wise Oceans and core partner GVI Seychelles. Training placements of one to three months are then delivered by the MSP’s partner organisations, providing trainees with invaluable experience and skills in a work environment. Trainee placements are tailored to their interests and skills, where possible matching them with future employer opportunities.

We are so grateful for the enthusiasm and support from our project partners – SeyCCAT, GVI Seychelles, Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment, University of Seychelles, Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority, Seychelles Fishing Authority, Green Islands Foundation, Seychelles Islands Foundation and SYAH.

As part of the training, MSP participants will develop skills in marine ecology, coral reef restoration, ecological monitoring, project management, science communication, and more.

Participants will obtain hands-on experience conducting marine conservation and research which includes coral reef and mangrove surveys, turtle population monitoring, BRUVs surveys and Ridge to Reef project support.

Furthermore, all participants will receive first aid training, PADI Advanced Open Water Certification and PADI Coral Reef Research Diver Certification.

The first MSP cohort ran from June 2022 with our six trainees successfully graduating in March 2023. We are pleased to share that our graduate MSP trainees are now venturing into the Seychelles workplace or beginning undergraduate degrees with the University of Seychelles. During the first iteration, student Hansa Freminot said: “I feel privileged. I’m enjoying the activities, meeting new people, and making new friends. I get to spend a lot of time in nature which I enjoy. I get to dive every day and do hiking. I’m learning a lot about conservation on both land and sea; I’m truly developing and getting new skills.”

MSP graduate Stephanie Bouzin, who is working with the Seychelles Fishing Authority, shared her personal highlights from the MSP. “I have gained so much experience especially with the coral restoration programme with Wise Oceans since I only knew few things about corals but now I have a more profound knowledge and beauty for all the corals in our ocean surrounding Seychelles especially all the work being done to protect and educate people about their importance.”

Following the successful completion of the MSP 2022 – 2023, we welcomed the next cohort to the MSP in August 2023. Our trainees this year are Alana Robert, Jadon Philoe, Saddiqua Fanny Al-Abdulla, Tristan Camille, Zarah Azemia, and Pearl Faure.

Zarah shares her reason for applying to the MSP with us earlier this year: “I am happy to be part of the Marine Scholarship Programme. It is a second chance for me to join this sector as I was not selected for the maritime post-secondary academy, therefore I get to follow my passion by going through this programme.”

We are excited to announce some additional elements to this year’s training programme with the University of Seychelles team at BERI incorporating the current Ridge to Reef programme and BRUVs research into the MSP trainees’ schedule and Seychelles Islands Foundation offering two trainees research assistant placements on Aldabra.

As the MSP trainees continue to excel, we have no doubt that they too will graduate next year and are excited to see what their future paths will look like.

Wise Oceans Seychelles is delighted to be able to deliver the Marine Scholarship Programme through the support of SeyCCAT. To continue our work with the Seychelles community, to increase awareness, access and training in the marine sector, and to inspire individuals to love and protect our oceans.

We would like to thank all our partner organisations working with us on the MSP – SeyCCAT, GVI Seychelles, the Ministry of Environment, Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority, UniSey, Seychelles Fishing Authority, Green Islands Foundation, Island Conservation Society, SYAH, Four Seasons Resort Seychelles and Club Med Seychelles.

Contributed