UniSey welcomes 412 students for new academic year |17 September 2015
The University of Seychelles has welcomed a new group of 412 students, including two foreigners, for the academic year 2015-2016.
A ceremony was held yesterday at the University of Seychelles (UniSey) theatre at the Anse Royale campus to formally welcome the students. Currently UniSey has a total of 1,300 students.
After some weeks off, the Anse Royale campus of UniSey became lively again with the presence of new students who are still questioning their new path and existing students who caught up with friends.
The vice-chancellor of UniSey, professor Dennis Hardy welcomed the students and staff for a successful academic year and stated “year after year, UniSey is becoming more renowned and successful. The number of students who are joining UniSey is increasing yearly. This year also we are welcoming our first two new students from overseas and it brings a new chapter in our lives. We will meet new people, new challenges and learn new things.”
Professor Hardy also noted that two new researchers – one for the blue economy and the other for environmental science – who graduated from UniSey, have been recruited at the university. He also congratulated all the students for being part of this institution which recently became a registered centre for University of London and also got a certificate of institutional accreditation by the Seychelles Qualifications Authority.
“There was a panel led by an Australian assessor and they spent one week at UniSey talking with the students, staff and management. They reviewed all our documents and finally got our accreditation. These achievements are now a benchmark for the university. Soon we will also introduce Chinese as a language for those who want to do it and in January we will start our MBA classes,” remarked the vice-chancellor.
Seychelles NATION talked to two new students. Ziggy Adam, 24, will study for a Bachelor in Law on a part-time basis for four years.
“Currently I am working as a legal officer at the Fair Trading Commission and after my A-Levels, I want to grow in my career. I know it will be hard for me to juggle between work and studies, but I already know I need to prioritise my life now,” said the freshman.
Margaret Nicette, 25, was a secondary teacher at the English River School and will now be studying for three years full time for a BA in French.
“I took time to pursue my studies as I didn’t know what I wanted to do. But now I am happy with my choice and also very grateful to have the chance to study in my country with my family around.”
The Deans of the different faculties – Sherley Marie, Dr Justin Valentin and Shella Mohideen – introduced the members of their faculties to the new students.
The opening ceremony was followed by a series of presentations from UniSey faculties and departments as well as public and private organisations such as the Agency for National Human Resource Development, Airtel and Cable & Wireless.