187 graduate from tourism academy • Sheriffa Amisse awarded President’s Cup |01 August 2020

Sheriffa Amisse, winner of the President’s Cup (Photo: Thomas Meriton)

Sheriffa Amisse was the proud recipient of the President’s Cup during the Seychelles Tourism Academy (STA) graduation ceremony held yesterday at the academy’s premises at La Misère.

In total, 187 students graduated from the STA this year after completing all their exams on time.

In order to properly celebrate this event, STA organised different graduation ceremonies for the different batches over a week.

The President’s Cup is awarded to a student from professional centres who has been exceptional in their studies; actively participated in school activities; has been exemplary to other students and also been an ambassador for their institution. It is the coveted award that every student aims for.

Sheriffa Amisse is 18 years old and followed a two-year Advanced Certificate course in Restaurant and Bar and told our newspaper how proud she is. “After S5, my first choice was STA and did my course without too much trouble. Covid-19 is a new reality and we need to adapt with it. Currently I got a job and once the tourism industry picks up I will join the industry again. I would advise the youth to keep believing in their capacity and talent and they would definitely move forward. Dreams do come true!”

The graduates received certificates in Restaurant and Bar; Food Preparation & Culinary Arts; Accommodation Operations & Services and Reception Operations & Services. As for advanced courses, there were Advanced Certificates in Restaurant & Bar; Food Preparation & Culinary Arts; Wellness and Spa; Reception Operations & Services, in Tourism & Tour Guiding and Advanced Diploma in Hospitality Management.

Other prestigious awards included the STA’s ‘Most Improved Learner’ Award for two students who have exercised exemplary behaviour; the Special Mention Award for the Advanced Diploma in Hospitality Management (ADHM) for the student who stood out best among others in general behaviour and the Minister’s Cup for the student who has proven exemplary working skills in the tourism industry and the Minister’s Awards.

Jaimine Nibourette, who followed an Advanced Certificate in Reception Operations & Services and Anthony Jeremie, who followed and Advanced Certificate in Food Preparation & Culinary Arts won the STA’s Most Improved Learner Award.

Lee-Anne Rose, who followed a certificate in Reception Operations & Services and Brigitte Francois who followed an Advanced Certificate in Wellness and Spa won the Minister’s Award. The ADHM Leadership Award went to Kerie-Anne Joubert who followed a Diploma in Hospitality Management.

There were also certificates of merit for Best Academic and Best Practical Performers and for Best Efforts at both certificate and advanced levels.

The principal of the STA, Flavien Joubert, congratulated all the students and noted that “within your chosen field of work, you are being encouraged to work hard, be motivated and stay dedicated. Give the best of what you are. It will be hard work at the beginning, therefore you must always remember that every obstacle is a test and an opportunity. We hope that we have not only prepared you for the world of work, but more importantly that we have provided you with the right life skills and moral foundation that will anchor and yet spur you on to meet the challenges ahead.”

The Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports & Marine, Didier Dogley, concluded the ceremony by encouraging the new graduates and the academy with these words: “We thank the academy for getting the students through their exams and nobody knew in March if we would be able to complete the courses. The STA has been innovative and they found ways and means to get you, students, across. I would like to thank the students also for completing your studies. The next step now is to start work. But Covid-19 has pressed the pause button. On Saturday August 1 as Emirates lands in Seychelles, we will press the play button again. We will make sure to relaunch our industry. The hotels are ready to open and I believe there are plenty of opportunities for you to get into the industry. Today we have almost 13,000 in the industry but mostly expats worth USD 50 million. We need you to get into the industry and pave your way.”

Also present at the graduation ceremony were Designated Minister Macsuzy Mondon, who also presented the President’s Cup; Jeanne Simeon, Minister for Education and Human Resource Development; John Stravens, chairperson of the STA board of governance and parents.

Vidya Gappy