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Graduation of the fourth cohort of the Seychelles Young leaders Programme |22 October 2016

21 receive MA leadership degree

 

Twenty-one young Seychellois have further developed their potential leadership talents and become equipped to make a valuable contribution to the future development of their country, and help to improve the welfare of its citizens.

They received their Master of Arts (MA) degree during yesterday afternoon’s graduation ceremony of the fourth cohort of the Seychelles Young Leaders Programme (SYLP) at the University of Seychelles’ (UniSey) Anse Royale theatre.

Three of the graduates got an overall award of 1st class honours. The MA degree in Leadership and Strategy is positioned at level 9, the penultimate level before doctoral level at 10, in the framework of the national qualifications authority of Ireland.

Altogether 110 young Seychellois have followed the programme since 2008 after former President James Michel in his National Day address in June 2007, set out his vision of the need to provide an opportunity for the youth of the nation, who showed potential leadership qualities, to acquire further education, and the requisite knowledge, skills and experiences that would equip them to take on higher levels of responsibility in leadership positions, thereby further enhancing the country’s human resources in a variety of administrative roles.

Mr Michel, who is also the UniSey chancellor, was in attendance yesterday along with ministers, principal secretaries, chief executive officers, invited guests, parents, partners and siblings of the graduates who have completed the two-year programme and were presented with the SYLP leadership award and a Master of Arts degree in Leadership and Strategy by the Institute of Public Administration (IPA) in Ireland, a college of the National University of Ireland, in collaboration with UniSey.

On behalf of IPA, John Nolan, the former registrar of the National University of Ireland, said based on his experience of the programme since 2007, and his awareness of how it is sometimes perceived by others not involved in the programme he has noted that there can be some misunderstandings about the SYLP, as if, in some rather simplistic way, the SYLP automatically turns out ready-made leaders.

Would that life could be so simple! Leadership requires a strong commitment to hard work, to self-sacrifice, to sustained application, often working above and beyond the call of duty, and seeing tasks through to completion to the best of one’s ability,” he told those gathered for the ceremony.

He added: “Today’s graduates will appreciate that leadership won’t fall into their hands. It must be earned. It is not, and should not be, an entitlement. Leadership is not possible without steadfast commitment, strong personal resolve, sustained by hard work. These are the qualities and standards that should be expected from all who are involved in this project – nothing less should be acceptable. And if, on completing this programme, today’s graduating cohort of potential young leaders are imbued with these qualities and standards, there is a bright prospect that President Michel’s foresight in launching this programme will be vindicated, and that the country will stand to benefit from the future contributions of a cadre of highly qualified potential young leaders, well equipped to serve their country in the years ahead.”

Emphasising the fact that education opens doors and create new pathways to success, UniSey’s vice-chancellor, professor Dennis Hardy, said with more than 100 SYLP graduates, it is “no mean achievement in a country with a small total population and these new leaders will have a significant impact on various aspects of national life”.

He described the fourth cohort as “unique for as well as developing general principles of leadership, this present class has also pioneered special skills to enable them to contribute to many challenges of social renaissance.”

“There is much to be done to respond to the country’s social agenda but we know that each and every one of you will make your own contribution,” said professor Hardy who thanked former President Michel who remains as UniSey’s chancellor and for always being committed to the cause of education and to the opportunities it can bring for all who engage in it.

Telling the graduates that they have only successfully completed the first part of a journey as the road ahead will not be easy, professor Hardy explained as Seychelles has embarked on a path towards the fulfilment of a successful knowledge economy, education is the key to this and specialists education can lead to change in the country that will be greater than mere numbers might suggest.

On behalf of her fellow graduates, Astride Tamatave said graduation is a unique and exhilarating experience as graduation day marks simultaneously the end of one chapter and the beginning of another in a person’s life.

“It is indeed a day of well-deserved celebration as it signifies the completion of years of hard work and the beginning of an exciting new chapter. It is a day to celebrate achievements and accomplishments through one’s dedication, sacrifice and perseverance,” said Ms Tamatave who added that it is also a day where graduates remember and express their heartfelt gratitude to all those who have supported and nurtured them during their studies.

Ms Tamatave stressed that the hearts of the fourth cohort of the SYLP are filled with gratitude and joy as they remember and express their heartfelt appreciation and thanks to all those who have supported, loved and nurtured them during the two years of their studies.

She thanked Mr Michel who founded the SYLP and added that they were all grateful for the modification made to the fourth cohort to include modules and perspectives of particular relevance to the government’s social renaissance campaign.

Ms Tamatave said former president’s vision to develop world class leaders through effective leadership training programmes that empower and equip them to conquer the challenges facing private and public organisations clearly echoes his aspiration for potential leaders equipped to take Seychelles to even greater heights.

“Your belief and confidence in the young Seychellois professionals can never go unnoticed and has without a doubt been recorded in the history of our beloved country... Our country more than ever needs great leaders in order to address the challenges of tomorrow,” said Ms Tamatave who also thanked the professors, tutors, Dr Nolan, Lucy Athanasius and Hazel Gendron of the SYLP office and Dean of UniSey Shella Mohideen and their families.

Ms Tamatave told her fellow graduates that a certificate on its own cannot turn situations around, it cannot move mountains and it cannot address challenges.

“Putting what we have learned and gained in application is what will make a difference. The certificate will not make us leaders, our actions and devotion in our respective field is what will transform our ability to take up leadership roles and responsibilities. We do not necessarily have to be promoted for us to continue to develop our skills and knowledge. The programme has taught us that leadership is not about promotions but about our ability to make positive changes. It has taught us that we are standing on shoulders of giants hence our ability to see very far,” she said.

Sandra Lepathy and Gerry Uranie told Seychelles NATION they are very happy to have graduated with a master’s degree.

“I’ve worked hard over the past two years and I feel proud to have achieved the degree,” said Ms Lepathy, adding that her wish is “to be able to put into practice what I have learned to make Seychelles a better country”.

As for Mr Uranie, who is responsible for the rehabilitation programme on Coetivy island, he said he “enjoyed the programme as I got to learn a lot as there were modules lined with social renaissance and dealing with crimes”.

The graduates are Juliana Agathine, Georgia Barra, Brigitte Bastille, Fabianna Bonne, Olivia Delpech, Nathasha Derjacques, Jude Fred, Jeanine Leon, Sandra Lepathy, Shirley Low-Meng, Sibylla Mederic, Merna Mellon-Albert, Betty Mondon, Diana Monthy, Lianette Morel, Rosa Morin, Merna Pool, Guillianne Philoé, Astride Tamatave, Gerry Uranie and Nella Young.

 

 

 

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