UniSey and STA sign accord for joint benefit

Seychelles Nation - 07.08.2010
The University of Seychelles (UniSey) and the Seychelles Tourism Academy (STA) have signed an agreement on training and sharing their facilities.

The memorandum of understanding was signed yesterday by STA principal Flavien Joubert and UniSey vice-chancellor Dr Rolph Payet.
Present at the ceremony were guests including Minister for Foreign Affairs Jean-Paul Adam, secretary of state in the President’s office Barry Faure, and representatives of Ireland-based Shannon College and the Seychelles Tourism Board.

Mr Joubert and Dr Payet toasted the new partnership immediately after the signing, before the latter congratulated the efforts of the STA in introducing its advanced diploma courses and opportunities to progress towards degree-level studies.

“I do recognise the tireless efforts the STA has made, and continues to make, to ensure that our tourism service excels at all levels,” he said.

“With the establishment of UniSey, we are now ready to make our contribution to this most important endeavour – of empowering our people to manage the tourism industry at all levels.”

Mr Joubert explained that the MoU covers several aspects beneficial to both sides. After completing their courses, students will be proficient in fields such as marketing, human resources management, service development, hotel management, tour operating and airlines.

“The MoU covers the degree course the students will be doing at Shannon College, so they will now be able to choose between UniSey and Shannon College,” he said.

“There will also be an exchange of students and lecturers, such as UniSey providing teachers in finance, marketing, statistics and human resources while we give them our specialists in, for example, housekeeping, restaurant and bar work, and food preparation, as well as sharing facilities such as libraries and equipment.”

Dr Payet said the new degree programme to be launched next month is unique globally, in that it has brought together three universities to deliver an intensive four-year programme aimed at training the tourism executives and managers of tomorrow.