Manchester confirms support for University of Seychelles

 Seychelles Nation - 14.10.2008

The head of Manchester University in the UK has confirmed its support for the University of Seychelles.

This follows an exchange of correspondence between the patron of the Seychelles University Foundation, President James Michel, and Professor Alan Gilbert, president and vice-chancellor of Manchester University.

In a meeting with Dr Rolph Payet, chairman of the Seychelles University Foundation, in Manchester last Friday, Professor Gilbert repeated his support to help the foundation establish a quality and credible university in Seychelles.

While there are still a number of challenges to address, the experience of Manchester University in this process would be invaluable, said Dr Payet.

It has a long history of helping to develop tertiary education in Seychelles, with more than 100 graduates working here and a twinning programme with Seychelles Polytechnic, whereby local students spend the first year of their undergraduate studies in Seychelles and the remaining two in Manchester.

President sets up group to review education system

Seychelles Nation - 22.08.2008

After the presentation last month of the special report on Seychelles’ education and training system, President James Michel has set up a 10-member National Education Review Committee, which he will chair.

The President had commissioned the report from Dr John Nolan from Ireland, his adviser on education.

The committee will hold its first meeting on Thursday August 28 at State House. It will review the report’s recommendations and advise on the action plan to attain the objective of high-quality education and human resources development.

Strategy 2017, which President Michel launched in March 2007 to double the nation’s wealth in a decade, says government education policy will be to promote training in vocational, managerial and service skills, to meet the human resources requirements of the economy as envisaged by the 10-year plan. 
The special report on education and training the President commissioned is part of the process towards achieving Strategy 2017.

Dr Nolan met a wide range of practitioners in the education system. The report examines important aspects of the current provision for education and training at different levels of the Seychelles education system.

It also contains prescriptions for making the changes in the education system necessary to meet the human resources demands of Strategy 2017.

President Michel said when he was presented with the report: “We have achieved a lot in the arena of education since independence. Over the years, we have undertaken a number of studies and reforms to improve the overall quality of our education system.”

He suggested that Seychelles was on the point of a further great transformation and said: “We have to work hard to ensure that we reap the maximum benefit from all the opportunities that present themselves.”

The committee will look at changes that will enable learners at all levels to achieve their full potential, and also produce a better human resources development system that remains responsive to development needs. 
The composition of the committee is:

President James A. Michel - chairman
Minister Bernard Shamlaye - vice-chairman
Minister Macsuzy Mondon - member
Dr Rolph Payet - member
Selby Dora - member
Jean Rassool - member
Marie-Celine Albert - member
Edwige Renaud - member
Philip Wong - member
Bertrand Belle - member