SIAH Graduation   Emmanuel Chang-Thiou clinches President’s Cup   By Patrick Joubert   |11 March 2022

Emmanuel Chang-Thiou, President’s Cup winner

Emmanuel Chang-Thiou has won the prestigious President’s Cup as the most outstanding student of the Seychelles Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture (SIAH) for 2020-2021.

Emmanuel was presented with his trophy by the institute’s director, Maryanne Marie, during SIAH’s virtual graduation ceremony held yesterday afternoon at the institute’s temporary premises at Grand Anse Mahé primary school.

Apart from the director, present were the best performers accompanied by a parent, a representative of the SIAH board and a few staff members.

As compared to 31 learners (2020 cohort) who graduated in 2021, this year 34 students who have successfully completed their two-year studies in Advanced Certificate in General Agriculture (4 full time learners), Certificate in General Agriculture – Apprenticeship (14 learners) and Certificate in Ornamental Horticulture & Landscaping – Apprenticeship (16 learners), received their certificates.

Apart from the President’s Cup presented by the director on behalf of President Wavel Ramkalawan, Emmanuel also received a laptop from the President and a scholarship sponsored by the Agency for National Human Resource Development (ANHRD), among other prizes from different sponsors. He also won the prize for the best overall performer in the Certificate in General Agriculture – Apprenticeship.

Other best overall performers were Shawn Marie (Certificate in Ornamental Horticulture & Landscaping – Apprenticeship) and Rhonda Labiche (Advanced Certificate in General Agriculture).

SIAH’s Best Effort Award for someone who has put a lot of effort to improve the academic grades in his or her particular field of study went to Brunel Mathiot.

As per tradition, the Seychelles National Youth Council (SNYC) award for the learner who has shown determination and perseverance to overcome obstacles linked to social ills and other challenges to continue with his or her studies, was won by Shakil Joubert.

The best performers in each of the programmes received a certificate, shield, gift voucher and cash prizes from sponsors.

“I feel very happy to have won the prize. I had always put it my mind that I will one day be compensated for what I am doing at school. Today my dream has become a reality,” said Emmanuel, who thanked his mother and father for pushing him to go the extra mile.

Emmanuel said that while he waits for his scholarship, he will work with his uncle on his BNB Farm at Grand Anse.

Addressing the small gathering at the 2020-2021 cohort graduation, Mrs Marie said that the graduates have performed very well, with a retention rate of 88.6% and a pass rate of 85%. 

She added that among SIAH’s achievements, the institute has been able to offer 5 different types of short courses, namely Skilled worker in agriculture, Basic ornamental horticulture production, Floral arrangement, Basic crop production and Pesticide handling. It also concluded a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the National Assembly and the Ministry of Employment & Social Affairs, engaged in the rehabilitation of a special programme for trainees of the Vocational Training Centre (VTC), validated a diploma programme in Sustainable Agriculture with specialisation in agriculture or horticulture, among other attributes.

As for the institute’s future plans, Mrs Marie stated that the three-year Diploma in Sustainable Agriculture with Specialisation in Agriculture is on offer since January 2022 on a part-time basis for mature candidates. The candidates are SIAH past graduates who have completed advanced certificate programmes and learners completing the advanced certificate programme in general agriculture last year.

The institute is also exploring possible avenues to establish training and educational cooperation with agricultural colleges or institutions at regional and international level.

With food security a growing concern for our small nation, due to low production of local fruits, vegetables and meat, Mrs Marie reminded that the shortage of local human resource is also a major concern for the sector, because of the increase in the number of foreign workers, working as field workers on farms around the island.

“In view of that, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment are working collaboratively to address the situation. Their first major action is to change the physical aspects of the SIAH by building a new Agricultural and Horticultural institute and equip it with state-of-the-art training facilities,” she said.

Mrs Marie had special thanks to the government of Seychelles for its long-term vision and investment in relation to the development of the agricultural sector, and the importance it attaches to training of its human resource and congratulated the 2020-2021 cohorts for their achievements.

“Through your valued contributions, discipline, hard work, innovative ways and commitments, the future of the sector looks bright. Always remember that hard work is the key to success. Through hard work, you will value what you have achieved,” Mrs Marie said.

On behalf of her fellow graduates, Netra Havelock said that they were happy to have come so far and to have accomplished one of the early milestones of their lives despite being faced with challenges.

“I am happy that we have all made it through, and we are all present today wearing our gown, giving fist bumps, congratulating each other, portraying our enthusiasm for what we have accomplished. Let us also use this enthusiasm to obtain our future goal,” she said.

She reminded her colleagues that whatever path they take, to keep in mind that they do play an important role for the country as it is a proven fact that agriculture plays a critical role in economic transformation, food security and nutrition improvement.

“It is therefore our role to keep supporting other farmers in Seychelles to further develop the local agricultural produce to ensure sustainability within the field,” said Netra, who thanked the faculty and families who helped them reach the milestones.

Photos by Louis Toussaint