The University of Seychelles (UniSey) yesterday morning marked the start of its fifth academic year by welcoming 85 new students in a short ceremony at the Anse Royale campus. 

The new academic year was officially opened by UniSey’s vice-chancellor Marina Confait in the presence of members of the National Assembly, the principal secretary for education Merida Delcy, UniSey’s registrar Michel Denousse, lecturers and students.

Mrs Confait described the occasion as a special one for UniSey to share its achievements and prospects of the future. She took the opportunity to highlight the university’s achievements during the last year. These include a population rise from 129 graduates to now nearly 700 full-time students and over 2,000 on short professional courses, and more quality assured programmes including the merging of the Seychelles Institute of Management (SIM) into UniSey.

As new programmes, Mrs Confait announced the development of the Diploma in Legal Practice or Bar Vocational course due to start early next year, a Master in Public Administration jointly with the Eastern and Southern African Management Institute (Esami) and the validation of the Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences to be delivered in September 2014.

The vice-chancellor insisted that the university’s future success will be geared by its motto ‘Collaborating to realise optimum potential’ and the philosophy to open access to everyone who meets the pre-requisite to gain tertiary education. Wishing the students, lecturers and all UniSey staff members a successful academic year, she concluded by asking them to be inspired by the following quote from Lou Holtz: 

“Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do”.
On his part, registrar Michel Denousse had the following three sets of advice to the students:

“Firstly do not forget why you are studying and what your goals are. Start planning in advance because time will pass by very quickly. Secondly, see the bigger picture around you. Do not forget that you are part of the world and a university study experience is an asset in itself. Thirdly, be active outside your lecture rooms. Develop a meaningful social life as a student. The friendships you develop in university are ones that will remain till the end of your life.”

A student, Ashley Rose from second year Diploma in Computing and Information Technology, replied to the words of wisdom by promising that she and her colleagues will share their experience with the new students and will help them in the opportunity to build something new. 

She asked her fellow students to think of the accomplishment and joy of their graduation day if ever side-tracked or badly influenced.

Before proceeding to their induction, the newly registered UniSey students were blessed by Father David Alcindor and Reverend Christine Benoit, respectively from the Roman Catholic and Anglican Churches. They prayed for their success and asked them to receive the spirit of wisdom as in the Bible’s Book of Wisdom, chapter 7, verses 7 to 22.
 

Forrás: www.nation.sc