Two students to benefit from Colleen Morel Scholarship Award |14 November 2019

(L to r) Messrs Finesse, Woodcock and Valentin signing the agreement (Photo: Louis Toussaint)

• S4S, H. Savy and UniSey renew MoU

Two students undertaking the BSc Environmental Science programme at the University of Seychelles (UniSey) will this year benefit from the Colleen Morel Scholarship Award, through the renewal of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the partner organisations.

The MoU was officially renewed in a brief ceremony held at the UniSey yesterday afternoon, where the manager of Sustainability for Seychelles (S4S) Russel Finesse, general manager of H. Savy Insurance Company Limited Lambert J Woodcock and the vice-chancellor of the UniSey Justin Valentin signed and exchanged the relevant agreements.

Mr Woodcock expressed H. Savy’s continued support towards the programme noting that the company has been a proud sponsor for the past three years, since the award was established in 2016, after the passing of well-known environmental educator Colleen Morel.

“We are pleased to be part of this initiative and the signing today represents a continuity to support the programme for a further three years. I am also pleased to announce that we have decided to increase the award from R5000 to R10,000 as of this year,” Mr Woodock noted.

Mr Finesse of S4S, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) founded by Colleen Morel thanked both H. Savy Insurance and UniSey for welcoming the initiative to keep the memory of “environment champion” Ms Morel alive and to inspire others who are passionate about the environment to follow suit.

Vice-Chancellor Valentin also pronounced himself praising the initiative and thanking both partners for actively cooperating and collaborating with the institution.

Dr Valentin further revealed that there will this year be two awards, one at the beginning of the academic year to the student who displays potential and enthusiasm towards their studies, and the other towards the end of their programme to a student who has shown great dedication towards conservation and sustainable development practices in Seychelles.

Over the past three years, several students have benefitted from the award including Ashley Dias, Sandra Sinon and Rajelle Barbe among others.

The MoU has been renewed for a period of three years.

Laura Pillay