HRH Princess Anne will join President James Michel to inaugurate the University of Seychelles on Monday

Princess Anne – on her first visit to Seychelles – will join President James Michel to inaugurate the new university at the Anse Royale campus.

On Monday afternoon she and her husband, Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence, will go to the Cenotaph to commemorate people whose lives were lost in war and meet Seychellois war veterans.

In the evening, President Michel will host a state reception to welcome the royal party.

On the following morning, Princess Anne and Vice Admiral Laurence will visit the World Heritage site of Vallée de Mai on Praslin, where they will also attend a brief reception with invited members of the local community.

On their return to Mahe, they will call on the European Union’s naval force and the Seychelles Coast Guard to learn about the anti-piracy measures they are taking.

The Princess Royal and her husband are being hosted jointly by British high commissioner Matthew Forbes and the Seychelles government. The royal party will say farewell to Seychelles on Wednesday December 1.

UniSey, which opened its doors on September 17, 2009, now has over 300 students taking some 12 degree courses. It has an ongoing partnership with the University of London’s international programme, the University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, Edith Cowan University in Australia and the University of Reunion.
 
The founding of the university was announced by President Michel during his 2007 National Day speech and forms part of his vision to create a knowledge-based society.

Some 500 guests will attend this historic event, and UniSey will be graced by the presence of academic dignitaries from around the globe, including Sir Graeme Davis, the former vice-chancellor of the University of London; Professor Jean-Claude Colliard, president of the University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne; and Professor Mohamed Rochdi, president of the University of Reunion.

In a press release, Unisey’s vice-chancellor Dr Rolph Payet said: “UniSey is honoured and privileged to welcome Her Royal Highness to the university,” adding that this is “history in the making”.

An honoured alumnus of the University of London, Dr Payet said he is delighted that the Princess Royal – who is chancellor of the University of London – will take part in one of the most significant achievements of modern Seychelles.

He also paid tribute to President Michel, who had the vision and determination to establish Seychelles’ very own university, and saluted all those who have invested so much effort in its creation.

Dr Payet has also gave grateful thanks to the students, especially the pioneers who he says “have been the most supportive”.