SBSA Graduation Ceremony Phillipa Servina wins prestigious President’s Cup |26 March 2022

proud Phillipa accepts her trophy from President Ramkalawan (Photo: Thomas Meriton)

Phillipa Servina has clinched the prestigious President’s Cup as the Outstanding Performer of the year at the Seychelles Business Studies Academy (SBSA).

Phillipa was presented with her cup and laptop by President Wavel Ramkalawan during the academy’s annual graduation ceremony held at the International Conference Centre (ICCS) yesterday afternoon.

She was among 138 graduates who successfully completed the 2019-2021 full time and part-time courses.

Among the other prizes she received from different sponsors include a scholarship for further studies sponsored by the Agency for National Human Resource Development (ANHRD).

Present at the ceremony were the Minister for Education Dr Justin Valentin, principal secretaries, directors of Education, the chairperson of the SBSA governing board Oliver Bastienne, members of the SBSA governing board, ministry officials, families, friends and partners.

The 19-year-old graduate who followed a Diploma in Business Management and Administration said that her active participation at the academy has contributed to her winning the President’s Cup.

“I feel very proud and happy. I was not expecting to win the prestigious award but I knew that I put a lot of effort in all the things that I’ve done and all that have also been asked of me,” said Phillipa who urged students to continue to push going forward, and more over not to feel discouraged in whatever they want to achieve so that they too can reap the benefit of their efforts.

Phillipa started employment with the National Information Services Agency (Nisa) which produces the Seychelles NATION newspaper in February as assistant human resource and admin officer.

A total of 138 graduates successfully completed their studies at the academy in Diploma in Accounting and Finance, Diploma in Business Management and Administration, Certificate in Administrative Skills, Advance Certificate in Accounting and Advance Certificate in Business Management and Administration as full time courses including part-time courses at Certificate, Advanced Certificate and Diploma levels.

The best performers and those putting the best efforts in each of the programmes were rewarded.

Among the prize winners for the best performers Alessandro Pool-Charlette won the most outstanding student Diploma in Accounting and Finance award. He also won the AAT Award and the newly introduced SBSA Medal of Academic Award.

The 19-year-old said the achievements had come as a result of the sacrifices he made by putting aside some of his hobbies and other things he liked to do to concentrate more on his studies. He is the academy’s first ever learner to score above 90% grade for AAT level 4, not once but twice, and with one of those grades at 99%.

“I am very happy. I had always wanted to work hard and to show my real capabilities. Even though at times I felt that my shoulders were letting me down, I have the determination to push myself forward. I’ve had some great help from my teachers for the AAT level 4 but on the whole I always give my best at anything, including in the exams and this is why I’m happy today with my results,” said Alessandro.

Other outstanding performers were Ronnda Sophola (best in Certificate in Business Administration), Anisha Morel (best in Diploma in Business Management and Administration) and Hillary Talma (best in Certificate in Administrative Skills).

For best efforts, the award went to Angelique Prasad (Diploma in Accounting and Finance), Stephanie Quatre (Diploma in Business Management and Administration) and Angie Boniface (Certificate in Administrative Skills).

The graduate for the Diploma in Business Management and Administration, Sylvie Nibourette, received the award for the City and Guilds while the SNYC Award went to Roshnie Morel (Diploma in Business Management and Administration).

Nylah Lespoire and Isa Gamatis-Henriette, two other Diploma in Business Management and Administration graduates, won the SBSA Governing Board Award.

There were also recognition for Antoinette Dubel and Monique Gertrude, two SBSA staff who enrolled on the SBSA courses to further their career and who also graduated yesterday.

In her address for the occasion, director Josianne Bristol said that in spite of the challenges brought about by Covid-19, SBSA has seen the highest number of distinctions ever with 7 graduating with a distinction this year compared to 4 last year, 3 the year before and either 1 or 2 the years before that. Moreover, at the end of 2021, more learners following the Accounting and Finance programme have qualified for the AAT level 3 and in AAT level 4 outstanding performance have been recorded where one learner (Alessandro Pool-Charlette) scored the first ever above 90% grade for AAT level 4, not once but twice, and with one of those grades at 99%.

She added that two programmes that were developed and validated by SQA were offered for the first time in 2021 as a response to market needs in Seychelles as well as in a bid to take onboard more S5 leavers.

She noted that the Certificate in Administrative Skills and the Diploma in Human Resource Management, have now joined the academy’s two previous full-time Diploma programmes which already have become quite popular with S5 leavers.

Ms Bristol stated that among the challenges is a lack of space to cater for the increasing number in enrollment of year one students.

“However, having more learners has also put extra pressure on lecturers as they find themselves with more marking to cope with and more teaching hours to juggle, alongside their other duties. To continue with this momentum, SBSA will definitely need to have more staff and bigger and better premises to deliver our mandate,” she said.

She stated though that SBSA staff will continue to engage in professional development to ensure the academy can rightfully boast of having a well-trained workforce ready to meet any eventuality.

She congratulated the graduates on their achievements and also urged them to continue being the academy’s success stories and to continuously put into practice the skills and attitudes they have gained.

In their vote of thanks on behalf of the graduating cohort of 2019-2021, Steffi Lewis and Darius Petrousse thanked everyone who have helped and supported them along their journey to success.

“We have mastered many skills and today we are ready to give back to the community and society. The knowledge and experiences we have fostered over the three years will be valuable assets to any business environment,” they said.

The ceremony ended with the song ‘Sa i mon letan’ by Mai, which was sung by the SBSA staff and students.