C&W to give UniSey R2m services

Cable & Wireless - 18.05.2010
Cable & Wireless agreed yesterday to provide modern telecom services worth around R2 million to the University of Seychelles (UniSey) through the signing of an accord at the Anse Royale campus.

It was signed by the telecom firm’s chief executive Charles Hammond and UniSey vice-chancellor Dr Rolph Payet, in the presence of the information communications technology principal secretary Benjamin Choppy.

The dean of the School of Sciences, Dr George Ah-Thew, C&W public relations manager Terry Servina and staff, along with UniSey staff were also there.

The main aim of the project is to provide telecom services to the university campuses at Anse Royale and the School of Education (ex-NIE) at Mont Fleuri.

These include fixed-line phone services, mobile packages for administration staff, BlackBerry devices, wi-fi and high-speed internet access. The agreement also covers full-time scholarships for two students at the university.
A copy of the business proposal was also presented to Dr Payet.

Mr Hammond said the telecom company is proud to have the technology to deliver these services to UniSey.

“They are being delivered by highly capable and local skilled workers with the highest Cable & Wireless standards,” he said.
This sponsorship initiative complements the free broadband internet access for state schools that the firm started three years ago.

As a responsible corporate citizen, this is an opportunity to proactively contribute in creating a knowledge-based society, Mr Hammond added.

Dr Payet said technology is the backbone of education and the university will not be able to survive without it.
“We want to give our students a chance to interact with other lecturers and facilities outside Seychelles,” he said.

The infrastructure will give students and lecturers access to books and other academic materials.

“It is vital for us to expose our students to the latest technology and software, so they can bring innovation to the world of work.”

Mr Servina said the telecom company will install and maintain the infrastructure that will provide these services. The university will bear some minimal cost during the project, he added.

The main campus at Anse Royale already has most of the services, including wireless internet, and this will be connected to the School of Education once all the infrastructure has been put in place.

“The project is at an advanced stage, and if there is a need for new technology and services in the future for the benefit of the university and Seychelles we will make it available,” said Mr Servina.

Talking about the university courses, Dr Ah-Thew said students following the computing and information systems course are now sitting for their exams.

Soon they will be placed on internships, and the second year is scheduled to start in September.
He also called on other telecom companies to come forward and provide special packages to students and lecturers.