Over 100 students set to leave to study abroad   By Sunny Esparon   |26 August 2023

Minister Valentin, Mrs Lauricourt and Mrs Kilindo answered the students’ questions during yesterday’s session (Photos: Louis Toussaint)

Over 100 students who have completed their A-Levels and have been awarded a scholarship to pursue their studies in universities abroad, yesterday attended a send-off ceremony organised by the Agency for National Human Resource Development which is part of the education ministry.

The event at the National Theatre in Mont Fleuri, was in the presence of Education Minister, Dr Justin Valentin, Agency for National Human Resource Development (ANHRD) head Nadia Lauricourt and principal scholarship administrator Barbara Kilindo.

In his address, Minister Valentin said the ceremony was to bid farewell to a group of young and talented individuals who are at the beginning of their amazing and exciting academic journey.

“You are in this room today, purely because throughout your school life and through your professional life, you have demonstrated great ability, commitment, and a great attitude to engage with your educational materials,” said Minister Valentin.

He added that what was happening also demonstrated the government’s commitment towards academic and professional development of young talented individuals. Dr Valentin said access to higher quality education remains his ministry’s priority and provision is made in the annual national budget to ensure that students with abilities are supported to move forward and proceed on a higher level.

The scholarship fund also supports professional development of in-service workers. Provisions have also been made for students’ loan through commercial banks.

“We expect to see it as an alternative and reliable source of finance and as an alternative gateway to prosperity,” he stated.

“My dear scholars, winning a scholarship is an achievement and a privilege. The scholarship team will certainly do their best to administer and support your scholarship and not in any way attempt to jeopardise your studies,” added Dr Valentin.

The education minister also stated that all individuals who have contributed towards the students’ accomplishments were very proud of them, including the administrators and him personally as the minister responsible for the education portfolio.

“We can only wish you the very best. Keep striving, keep shining and keep smiling,” he concluded.

The minister, Mrs Lauricourt and Mrs Kilindo also had an hour session with the students where they were able to ask questions and seek clarifications about their scholarship and travel to their respective universities.

For her part, Valerie Fred, senior scholarship administrator who was also the master of ceremony, explained that the government through its many personnel have nurtured the students in preparation for the outside world.

“Today, I have immense pride in saying that we are highly proud of your achievements and accomplishments that you have established over the years,” said Ms Fred.

The students are pursuing their studies in universities in the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Hungary, Slovakia, Belgium and Mauritius.

Yesterday’s ceremony also included the performance of a special song titled ‘Do I make you proud?’ sung by two students from the Seychelles Institute of Teacher Education (Site).