128 graduate from UniSey By Laura Pillay A total of 128 students who have successfully completed their study programmes with the University of Seychelles (UniSey) officially graduated yesterday afternoon. The Class of 2022 completed their respective p |02 December 2022

A total of 128 students who have successfully completed their study programmes with the University of Seychelles (UniSey) officially graduated yesterday afternoon.

The Class of 2022 completed their respective programmes at certificate, diploma, advanced diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate degree levels, some of which are offered by UniSey itself, and others in partnership with the University of London, l’Université de La Reunion, the University of West of Scotland and The Guy Morel Institute (TGMI).

Yesterday’s ceremony was the second blended one to be held by UniSey.

Courses in which they graduated include; Certificate in General Management, Certificate in Office Management, Certificate in Public Procurement, Diploma in General Management and Diploma in Public Finance Management undertaken with TGMI.

From the institution’s Faculty of Arts and Social Development, graduates had successfully completed and graduated from courses including; Diploma in Computing and Information Technology (IT), with a variation of specialisations, namely, in Infrastructure, Networking and Security or Software Development, or Web Technologies and Databases.

Bachelor level programmes include Bachelor of Social Sciences in Social Work, Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in Social Work, Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in Youth and Community, Bachelor of Education Secondary-English, Bachelor of Arts in English (University of London), Bachelor of Science in Computing and Information Systems (University of London) and the Bachelor of Arts in French (l’Universite de La Reunion).

A group of twenty-eight was presented with their certifications after successfully completing their Post-Graduate Certificate in Education course.

Others graduated from courses falling under the Faculty of Business and Sustainable Development, namely, Diploma of Higher Education in Law (University of London), Advanced Diploma in Environmental Science, Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Environmental Science, Bachelor of Science in Banking and Finance (University of London), Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (University of London), Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with specialisation in Human Resource Management , International Business or Marketing (University of London), Bachelor of Laws (University of London).

Masters programmes from which there were graduates included Commonwealth Executive Master of Business Administration, Commonwealth Executive Master of Public Administration, Masters of Business Administration (University of West Scotland) and Masters of Science in Marine Science and Sustainability.

As is customary, a Bachelor of Science Environmental Science graduate was awarded the Sustainability for Seychelles (S4S) Colleen Morel Environmental Science Achievement Award. Andria Bastienne is this year's recipient. Ms Bastienne was described as a strong academic performer, and most recently contributed towards the United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP) Global Environment Facility (GEF) Ridge to Reef programme. Her independent study on the Mont Plaisir river has greatly contributed to the development of a national monitoring system for rivers and streams, while her data is currently being used to develop a national environmental network system. Andria was also among those who received the Chancellor's Special Recognition Award, after achieving First-Class Honours in her course.

A number of graduates who achieved First-Class Honours in their respective study programmes were each recognised and awarded. They included; Joan Joubert (BSc in Business Administration with International Business) who was also awarded Best Performer for her study programme; Kelly Etienne (BSc Honours in Environmental Science) who also took the award for Best Performer for the programme; Kelsy Gill (BSc Honours in Environmental Science); Stephanie Bonte (BSc Computing and Information Systems); Soumya Satheesan (BSc Computing and Information Systems) who was also awarded Best Performer for the programme.

All Seychellois First-Class Honours graduates are to receive a scholarship for the pursuit of a Masters level programme, sponsored by the Government of Seychelles.

Best Performer Awards were also presented during the ceremony. Awardees were; Travis Legaie (Commonwealth Executive Master of Business Administration), Trevor Monthy (Diploma in Computing and IT-Software Development), Denis Antat (Commonwealth Executive Master of Public Administration), Maria Franchette (Bachelor of Social Sciences Honours in Social Work), Corrina Cadeau (Bachelor of Arts in French), Pamla Madeleine (Bachelor of Education Secondary-English) and Bertrand Loze (Post-Graduate certificate in Education).

The best Performers and recipient of First-Class Honours were also presented with the Chancellor's Special Recognition Award, by President and Chancellor of the University of Seychelles Wavel Ramkalawan. They each received a congratulatory letter and Ipad device from President Ramkalawan.

As for the Deans Award, introduced in 2017, Shamad Japha was awarded from the Faculty of Arts and Social Development, while Bianca Mazorcchi claimed the award from the Faculty of Business and Sustainable Development.

This year, UniSey also recognised eight graduates who have actively played a role and made valuable contributions through the Student Council, and who have also helped to bring about more visibility for the institution. The UniSey Student Council was launched in 2009, and aims to promote and nurture a good relationship between students and staff, as well as other staff to harbour a community of working together on the campus. They were Nassirah Dorby, Shamad Japha, Bianca Mazorcchi, Irene Marie, Gaelle Nasolo, Elke Hoffman, Stephanie Bonte and Santara Mathurin.

Vice-Chancellor Joelle Perreau in her address highlighted the institution’s pride and satisfaction at the number of new graduates conferred yesterday afternoon.

Addressing the graduates, she commended them for their “resilience, patience, open-minds, perseverance and determination” that they endured during the difficulties of study”.

“You have shown that you can successfully complete your studies with tenacity. Today we applaud your exceptional results. You have acquired exceptional qualities throughout the years spent at UniSey, equipping you to make a difference, to changing lives and shaping our country for the better,” Ms Perreau added.

A number of government officials were in attendance for the ceremony.

Our selection of photos show some highlights of the ceremony.

Photos by Joena Meme