The University of Seychelles’ 10th Anniversary |19 September 2019

Dr Monnaie receiving his token from Dr Valentin

A test of sustainability and a blessing for continuity

Ten years is a very short time, but for an institution, surviving the first ten years is a test of sustainability and a blessing for continuity, vice-chancellor of the University of Seychelles (UniSey), Dr Justin Valentin, has said.

Dr Valentin made the statement during his address on the occasion of the fourth ‘Anniversary Venture’ to commemorate the opening of the university.

The event, which took place at the university campus at Anse Royale on Tuesday, was attended by Minister for Environment, Energy and Climate Change Wallace Cosgrow, the registrar of the university, deans of faculties, lecturers, students and partners of the UniSey.

The highlight of the annual event is normally a lecture which seeks to promote local scholars who are actively engaged in scholarly activities, such as research and other prominent work that have national or regional impact.

At this year’s event, it was Dr Gérard Rocamora, an ornithologist and conservation biologist based in Seychelles since 1995, who lectured on ‘Eradication of invasive animals and other island restoration practices in Seychelles: conservation achievements and future challenges’.

Dr Rocamora, who is fluent in 6 languages, grew up and studied in Europe (Montpellier & Barcelona) and has worked in countries of Africa, tropical America and the western Indian Ocean with organisations such as BirdLife International, Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux, Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle (Paris), CNRS, Seychelles Ministry of Environment or IUCN.

The paper presented was co-prepared by Dr Elvina Henriette.

Dr Valentin revealed that the UniSey is planning a series of activities and new initiatives to commemorate the university’s tenth anniversary.

He also launched two new initiatives, namely the Student ambassador scheme for ongoing students and the National Academic Olympiad which will be opened for students across schools and professional centres across the country.

The Student ambassador scheme aims at getting students to market the UniSey with the larger community.

The Student ambassador logo – an adapted version of the current UniSey logo – which will be used to market and brand the scheme, was also revealed on Tuesday.

As for the National Academic Olympiad, it will be used to bring together young talented brains in an academic context.

The programme will centre around the birthday of Albert Einstein which falls on March 14 and the logo for the activity was also revealed on Tuesday.

Both logos have been designed by Juliette Zelime.

The University of Seychelles, informally known as ‘UniSey’, is the primary institution of higher education in Seychelles. It was established on September 17, 2009.

The university welcomed its first group of students in September 2009 followed by its official inauguration in November 2010.

It was registered and licensed by the Government of Seychelles as a national university which will offer high-quality, innovative and market-oriented professional, undergraduate, postgraduate and research programmes.

During its 10 years of existence, the UniSey has gone through some structural changes and an increase in the academic programmes it offers.

However, what the university has clearly maintained is its drive to grow and make itself known worldwide; and to play a key role in the transformation of Seychelles as a knowledge-based society.

The UniSey is a young academic and research institution which offers its students high quality programmes, a vibrant university life, and an opportunity for its international students to gain a first-hand experience of life on a tropic island in the middle of the Indian Ocean.

During the ceremony, Dean of Business and sustainable development faculty, Dr Bernard Monnaie, received a token for clocking 10 years.