106 students join UniSey for sixth academic year |16 September 2014
The sixth academic year of the University of Seychelles (UniSey) started yesterday with a ceremony at its auditorium at Anse Royale in the presence of a new cohort of 106 students.
In his opening address, UniSey vice-chancellor Dennis Hardy said the aim is to be the university of choice for all students in Seychelles. He also said the UniSey has to put the students first, but also urged them to be the university’s reputation… and have them think on their feet to achieve the ends.
My Hardy said this to officials, partners, current and new students of the university in his opening remark to officially launch the academic year 2014-2015. The ceremony went on as planned despite a power cut.
Informing the audience that each year the university grows in number as well as reputation, Mr Hardy acknowledged that to achieve this aim, the university needs to work very hard.
“We know that we have to work very hard to make this happen and we take nothing for granted. We want you to enjoy your time here and set yourself up for successful and fulfilling careers. We will do all we can to make this happen,” said the vice-chancellor who added that he wants to distinguish the university from not being simply a teaching college where students should push back the frontier of knowledge.
“As a new university we are evolving and not tied down. We will have classes to stimulate but also want you to study on your own as studies is what you are involved in as the nation has invested in your education,” he said, urging students to make the most of the opportunity, enjoy the experience and succeed in building confidence about themselves.
Mr Hardy said since the setting up of the university in 2009, it has been adding new courses. This year sees the start of two new ones – a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Social Sciences and a BSc in International Relations – which he has described as important responses of the UniSey to the national priority of the social renaissance where later on graduates can play an active part in unity and social work. These courses will add to the undergraduate and post graduate courses being run already.
The vice-chancellor also said the university is introducing a new post graduate course – Master in Business Administration – as from next year.
Recognising that the UniSey is young and small in comparison with universities elsewhere, Mr Hardy also sees two main strengths.
“Being a young university, we are not held back by outworn traditions. We can respond quickly to new opportunities and encourage innovation, among our students as well as staff. And knowing how important it is to build a good reputation, we seek quality in all that we do.
“And being small means that we can devote more attention to individual students than universities with class sizes measured in hundreds. We are a friendly community of which you are now a part,” he said.
“Welcome, enjoy, succeed as the university motto goes ‘Lavenir i dan ou Lanmen’ (The future is in your hands),” concluded the vice-chancellor.
UniSey registrar Michel Denousse also welcomed the current and new students to the sixth academic year and advised them to keep themselves updated on important news and events from the UniSey emails and website.
He also informed them that their presence at UniSey is not only to attend lectures but to also engage actively in activities organised by their faculty, student union, UniSey clubs and teams.
“Such positive attitudes will go a long way towards continuously promoting and maintaining a diverse and vibrant culture,” said Mr Denousse.
He also reminded the students of the new meeting area which will house the students’ union office and student hall which he says will bring all of them together in an ambiance of friendship and learning partnership.
“This is further evidence that UniSey is continuously finding ways to improve your comfort and offer more than just academic experiences,” the registrar said.
He also thanked all faithful partners who have supported the UniSey.