President Ramkalawan meets outstanding performers from post-secondary institutions |13 October 2021

The Cup winners in a souvenir photograph with President Ramkalawan and guests (Photo: Jude Morel)

Outstanding performers from post-secondary institutions for the year 2020, yesterday morning met with President Wavel Ramkalawan at State House.

The aim of the meeting was for President Ramkalawan to congratulate them on their achievements and also to hear of their dreams, aspirations, challenges and personal stories.

The nine winners of the prestigious President’s Cup are Kristy Naiken (Seychelles Business Studies Academy), Fredo Dubel (Seychelles Institute of Agriculture and Horticulture), Eric Albert (Seychelles Institute of Art and Design), Philip Sham Hong (Seychelles Advanced Level Studies), Darryl Hibonne (Seychelles Tourism Academy), Elisa Burnett (Seychelles Maritime Academy), Louisa Lafortune (Seychelles Institute of Technology), Priscille Vidot (National Institute of Health and Social Studies) and Francisca Souffe (Seychelles Institute for Teacher Education).

Also present at the meeting at State House were Vice-President Ahmed Afif, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism Sylvestre Radegonde, Minister for Health Peggy Vidot and the director of education for resources, Dr Linda Barallon.

All of the outstanding students are in employment as they await for the opportunity to proceed on further studies.

After the meeting with the president, Ms Souffe, who spoke on behalf of her colleagues, said they were very happy and honoured to have been received by President Ramkalawan.

“We had the chance to discuss with him our dreams and our plans for the future for the benefit of the country. We discussed challenges and constraints we are encountering in the processes to apply for our scholarships,” she said and noted that the president was happy and proud to receive them and to learn of their dreams and aspiration.

The graduation ceremonies were held virtually, therefore President Ramkalawan could not be present to physically present them with their cups but he followed their achievements online. The best students had with them their winning trophies to show President Ramkalawan.

Patrick Joubert