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Seychelles, Hungary to expand education opportunities to include sports scholarship   |11 November 2021

Seychelles, Hungary to expand education opportunities to include sports scholarship   

Youth, Sports and Family Minister Zialor and Hungary’s Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Péter Szijjártó

Youth, Sports and Family Minister Marie-Celine Zialor, who also deputised for the absent Education Minister, Dr Justin Valentin, met with Hungary’s Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Péter Szijjártó on Tuesday at the Family House, Bel Eau.

Minister Szijjártó who was on a one-day official visit to Seychelles, was accompanied by the Ambassador of Hungary to the Republic of Seychelles, Zsolt Mészàros, and the deputy state secretary for development of southern relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Hungary, László Váradi.

The Seychelles delegation consisted of principal secretary for educational development sector John Lesperance, chief executive for the National Sports Council (NSC) Jean Larue, chief executive of the Agency for National Human Resource Development (ANHRD) Nadia Lauricourt, and ANHRD desk administrator for Hungary Frances Barra.

Pertinent discussions focused on capacity development opportunities in tertiary education and sports, a joint programme with the University of Seychelles, modernising the education system and overall sports development in Seychelles to ensure mutually beneficial cooperation.

Minister Zialor reiterated the preliminary discussions she had with the Hungarian sports counterpart at the Hungarian Sports Pavilion in the Dubai EXPO 2020 during her visit last month.

In line with the ministry’s vision to win a first Olympic medal ‒ Road to Paris 2024 and Road to LA 2028, a project launching this Friday, both ministers explored avenues to assist and upskill athletes and sporting personnel.

Minister Szijjártó invited a delegation from Seychelles for a familiarisation visit to their University of Sports Science and Physical Education to get acquainted with their scientific approach to improve athlete performance. In addition, he verbally consented to expand their existing scholarship offers to the field of sports boasting world-class knowledge and programmes.

“Per capita we [Hungary] have the most Olympic medals won and we are currently eighth in the overall medals table,” Minister Szijjártó said.

He further explored exchanges between the two countries, either the athletes can follow training in Hungary or the trainers come to Seychelles, and to explore the water sports  development as Hungary has a strong team albeit they carry out watersports on the river instead of the sea.

NSC chief executive Larue proposed more capacity building for sporting officials and to look into developing the sports tourism sector in Seychelles, an area he had already discussed with the Hungarian sports counterpart at the Dubai EXPO 2020.

Seychelles and Hungary established relations in 1977, and during that time there has been cooperation in the area of education. Last year 10 scholarships were given to Seychelles with an additional 10 added this year.

For his part, educational development sector principal secretary Lesperance proposed collaboration for a joint programme with the University of Seychelles which was welcomed by the Hungarian minister.

He also sought the well-advanced expertise of Hungary with modernising the education system in Seychelles which is a priority for the Ministry of Education.

Minister Szijjártó reiterated their position in making significant advancements in modernising education and has offered to send three experts for a working visit.

To recall, out of the 10 scholarships on offer last year only four Seychellois filled the posts.

ANHRD reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that these opportunities are taken advantage of.

 

Press release from the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Family

 

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