Seychelles Institute of Agriculture and Horticulture (SIAH) Graduation 2020   |28 August 2021

SIAH director Maryanne Marie

2020 cohort graduates with 94 percent pass rate

•           Fredo Dubel most outstanding learner

It is a proven fact that food production and its availability is of strategic importance to any country, while the Covid-19 has shown the importance of being food secured, or the ability to produce the bulk of your own staple food requirements.

Director of the Seychelles Institute of Agriculture and Horticulture (SIAH), Maryanne Marie, made the statement in her official remarks yesterday during the virtual graduation ceremony of 31 learners who graduated from the institute after completing their studies at apprenticeship and advanced certificate programmes.

The 2020 cohorts graduated with a retention rate of 92 percent and a pass rate of 94 percent.

Out of the 31 learners, 27 received certificates after successful completion of the apprenticeship programme, while seven graduated with an advanced certificate.

Fredo Dubel received the institute’s top prize for the being the most outstanding learner, taking home the President’s Cup and a laptop computer.

Micaella Marengo won the award for Best Effort, while the award for the Best overall performer for Certificate in General Agriculture went to Rolly Bristol.

Duane Labrosse was the winner of the Seychelles National Youth Council (SNYC) Award, while the award for Best overall performer for Advanced Certificate in General Agriculture went to Debra Port-Louis.

Staniella Adrienne won the award for the Best overall performer for Certificate in Ornamental Horticulture and Landscaping.

Mrs Marie reminded the learners that what is important is not only the production of food, but also the logistics supply chain and value added to ensure food is available during non-seasonal periods and at affordable prices. 

She explained that due to the fact that Seychelles is not self-sufficient with staples, we have observed that exchange rate depreciation has made food much more expensive.

“Going forward I urge you to stay in your chosen career field, to continue to strive to increase our local labour force in this sector, because the sector needs you more than ever,” said Mrs Marie who further added that she has no doubt that learners will make use of all the opportunity that the government has put in place to assist this area.

In terms of future plans for the SIAH, Mrs Marie revealed that the studies will temporarily be relocated to Anse Boileau Research Station, for the theoretical aspects of education and livestock practical training, while the administration and specialist facilities will remain at Grand Anse primary school pending the construction of the new institute at Anse à la Mouche.

She also announced that the institution will be offering a Diploma in Sustainable Agriculture with specialisation in Agriculture or Horticulture in 2022 on a part time mode for mature candidates, and this, she said,  will give learners the possibility of up-grading their career paths and to assist in providing  the local labour market  with competent local workforce in technical fields.

As for the major achievements, the SIAH revised its two advanced certificate Programmes through the Seychelles Qualification Authority (SQA), had an increase in intake, compared to other years, and also prepared the SIAH’s emergency plan with the help of the director for health and safety at the Ministry of Education among other achievements and improvements.

Mrs Marie extended her gratitude to their stakeholders for once again providing the learners with the relevant industry knowledge and “hands-on” experience that will prepare them well to embrace their work when they enter the labour market.

“We look forward to the continuation of this valuable partnership and pray that you keep nurturing the graduates so that they stay in their field of study,” she added.

She also thanked the government of Seychelles and the Ministry of Education for the support and contributions to the institution, which she described as strong and committed.

Mrs Marie also thanked the parents for their role in supporting their children during their studies.

Best performers of the SIAH 2020 cohort

Fredo Dubel – Most Outstanding Learner

Micaella Marengo – Best Effort

SNYC Award – Duane Labrosse

Best overall performer for Certificate in General Agriculture – Rolly Bristol

Best overall performer for Advanced Certificate in General Agriculture – Debra Port-Louis

Best overall performer for Certificate in Ornamental Horticulture and Landscaping – Staniella Adrienne

Roland Duval