53 students graduate from the Seychelles Institute of Art & Design Amy Chang-Pen Tive takes home the President’s cup |18 July 2020

President’s Cup winner Amy Chang-Pen-Tive (Photo: Jude Morel)

Amy Chang-Pen-Tive savoured the proudest moment of her life yesterday morning when she won the President’s Cup, outstanding performer award in Diploma Art & Design and best A-Level Art performer award during the Seychelles Institute of Art & Design graduation ceremony at the University of Seychelles auditorium, Anse Royale.

Amy was among 53 students who received their awards and certificates during the Seychelles Institute of Art & Design (SIAD) graduation ceremony which was attended by Designated Minister Macsuzy Mondon, Education and Human Resource Development Minister Jeanne Simeon, principal secretaries, board members and staff of SIAD as well as parents.

Designated Minister Mondon presented Miss Chang-Pen-Tive with the President’s Cup and a laptop.

Amy was quite emotional when she talked to the press. She admitted that following a course at SIAD was not her first choice even though she ended up clinching the different awards.

“After completing secondary five (S5), I joined SIAD, but my first choice was the Seychelles Tourism Academy (STA) as I wanted to be a receptionist. When I did not secure my first choice, I cried and was disappointed. But my mother was there to support and encourage me. She persuaded and convinced me to accept a course at SIAD which I finally did,” Amy recalled.

She noted that with the support and encouragement of the teachers at the institution, she ended up enjoying the course she chose.

“I completed two years doing an Advanced Certificate in Fine Art and last year I completed the Diploma Art & Design as well as the A-Level. I will pursue my studies to become a teacher. My dream was always to go and study abroad so that I can come back to contribute towards the development of my country,” said the proud 20-year-old.

She said in the meantime she is eager and looking forward to join the teaching field in Seychelles.

Amy’s advice to all students and other young people is “please do not take any shortcut in life. If you want something, vision it and make it happen!”

Amy’s mother, Maryse, expressed her pride, joy and happiness at her daughter’s achievements. “When she did not secure her first choice training course, I gave her a lot of support and encouragement. I prayed a lot for her to make the right decision and I encouraged her throughout. Today I am really happy for her,” said Maryse Chang-Ten-Tive.

If all goes well Amy who has secured a government scholarship will proceed for further studies in Malaysia.

The other outstanding performers are: Angelo Adrienne (best performer for Certificate in Drawing and Painting), Stephie Fanchette (best performer for Certificate in Sewing and Textiles), Greg Bradburn (best performer for Advanced Certificate in Fine Art), Josepha Morel (best performer for Advanced Certificate in Graphic Design), Rachel Payet (best performer for Advanced Certificate in Fashion) and Fina Zialor (winner for the SIAD board award).

For the fourth consecutive year, SIAD in collaboration with the University of Seychelles offered Chinese language classes for final year learners with the aim of diversifying its option on offer. Twenty (20) graduates successfully completed the programme in 2019 and three of them have performed exceptionally well and they are Faizah Moustache, Annaelle Marie and Anorah Socrate Ernesta.

SIAD director, Christine Chetty Payet noted that they have also recorded a 100% pass rate for the Cambridge GCE A-Level Art examinations and have observed an increase in the number of learners opting for the exam. Learners who sit for the exams and who performed exceptionally well have also qualified for the scholarship scheme award alongside their diplomas.

“SIAD is proud that all its learners following full time programmes at certificate, advanced certificate and diploma levels in respective areas of specialisation have achieved pass marks or better in 2019. For the first time, SIAD will not issue any attendance certificate to any of its graduates,” Ms Chetty Payet pointed out.

She added that this is a major achievement for the institute for adopting measures collectively to make reasonable adjustments for their learners to succeed on their programmes.

“The different strategies were related to setting high and clear expectations for quality work, greater exposure with industries, shared responsibilities and establishing a climate of mutual respect and understanding’’, highlighted Mrs Chetty Payet.

She went on to thank the parents for their support and participation in the process and for responding positively to the institute’s call for lecturers’ and parents’ consultation meetings throughout 2019.

“This measure is revealed in the extent of the fulfilment of our vision and mission together towards our success of achieving the goals set out in our strategic plan. The dedicated work of our staff and learners towards individual achievements continue apace to bring national and international recognition to the institute,” noted Mrs Chetty Payet.

Boys/girls ratio

The director of the SIAD also talked about the enrolment of boys and girls at the institution. “During his visit in 2019, the President raised very important issues which emanated from his observation pertaining the number of boys following the different programmes at the institute. SIAD has also in recent years observed a decline in the number of boys applying for a programme at the institute and who meet criteria.’’

She went on to note that according to statistical information this clearly indicates a ratio of 70% girls and 30% boys that the institute has been working with during those past years.

“Despite our effort to address gender inequality at our level, this remains a major challenge. SIAD fully understands and acknowledges the importance of gender equality since it benefits both girls’ and boys’ learners and should be a concern to us all,” she pointed out.

She said the achievement of gender equality through education and training is at the heart of the human rights agenda, a pathway to social justice and key to achieving the transformational 2030 agenda for sustainable development.

“Therefore, whilst it may seem reasonable to assume that girls’ access to tertiary level education and training is currently not an issue in our country, we cannot afford to leave our boys behind. SIAD will do anything in its power to ensure that boys are fairly represented and given equal opportunities to join our programmes,” Mrs Chetty Payet stressed.

In 2019, SIAD managed to obtain full institutional accreditation status for a period of five years and the process of reviewing the existing programmes for validation has started. Local programmes are being pitched at Diploma level while making provision for candidate to exit at Advanced Certificate level.

Vidya Gappy