UniSey charts new waters through Erasmus + Project |22 May 2025
Participants in a souvenir photograph
UniSey charts new waters through Erasmus + Project
• Hosts second HEI-Blue regional training of trainers
The Blue Economy Research Institute (BERI) at the University of Seychelles (UniSey) successfully hosted a regional training session from May 12 to 16, under the HEI-Blue project—an Erasmus+ funded initiative aimed at strengthening the capacities of higher education institutions across the South West Indian Ocean.
The HEI-Blue project focuses on cultivating innovation and entrepreneurship within the blue economy through education, research, and cross-sector collaboration.
Participants from partner institutions in Seychelles, Madagascar, Mauritius and Comoros took part in the week-long training, supported by expert facilitators from UniSey, the Seychelles Institute of Technology (SIT), and the Seychelles Maritime Academy (SMA).
The event opened with remarks from UniSey’s administration, followed by participant introductions that set a tone of engagement and collaboration. The training programme began with a presentation on the Regional Action Plan for the Blue Economy by the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), followed by a session on market readiness for startups led by Cap Business Océan Indien. A variety of key themes were explored throughout the week, including:
- Application of information technologies
- Digital skills development
- Systems thinking
- Blue finance success stories
- Maritime spatial planning
- Emerging technologies
- Gender, inclusion, and the blue economy
- Social innovation in the blue economy
- Regional perspectives from the South West Indian Ocean
A key highlight of the programme was a field day coordinated by the Seychelles Maritime Academy on Thursday May 15. The day began with an overview of key stakeholders in Seychelles’ blue economy, particularly those leading efforts in marine and coastal innovation and entrepreneurship.
Participants then visited the Seychelles Fishing Authority’s (SFA) aquaculture facility, where they were introduced to sustainable aquaculture techniques and their role in enhancing marine resource management and food security.
Later that day, the group travelled to Anse à la Mouche to visit a SeyCCAT and UNDP-funded project led by the Local Food Producers Association. As the first training cohort to visit the site, the visit marked a memorable milestone for all involved.
The project showcased the role of agroecological farming in supporting the blue economy, highlighting how sustainable agricultural practices can reduce chemical runoff and protect marine ecosystems. Participants also enjoyed a culinary experience featuring local produce, reinforcing the connection between land-based activities and ocean health.
The visit illustrated a growing recognition that the blue economy is not limited to traditional maritime sectors but includes interconnected areas such as agriculture, innovation, education, and community development. The Anse à la Mouche initiative served as a practical example of how cross-sector collaboration is essential for long-term sustainability.
The successful completion of the training in Seychelles marked a major step forward for the HEI-Blue project, emphasising the importance of regional dialogue, experiential learning, and local innovation. Through initiatives like this, UniSey-BERI continues to play a leading role in advancing blue economy capacity-building throughout the Indian Ocean region.
As a next step, partner institutions will replicate the training content with their students to identify potential academic entrepreneurs. Four students from each participating institution, including SMA, will go through a selection process to attend a Boot Camp in April 2026, which will be organised by Cap Business Océan Indien. The Boot Camp will offer advanced training and mentorship, preparing the selected students to lead in the development of innovative blue economy ventures.
Contributed