G.S. Pillay donates to UniSey on golden jubilee

Seychelles Nation - 22.01.2010
As part of activities to celebrate its 50th anniversary, the G.S. Pillay Company has donated R100,000 to the University of Seychelles.

The contribution forms part of the company’s social responsibility to share with society what it has achieved during 50 years in business.

Chairman of the Seychelles University Foundation Dr Rolph Payet accepted the cheque from the grandchildren of G. Subramanian Pillay – founder and chairman of the company – during a special gathering on Wednesday at the Sea Front restaurant in the International Conference Centre.

Among the guests were Minister for Community Development, Youth, Sports and Culture Vincent Meriton, managing director of Seychelles Breweries Ltd Aubrey Lucas, chief executive of Airtel R.V.S. Bhullar, chairman of the Seychelles Chamber of Commerce and Industry Dr V. Ramadoss, National Assembly member for Roche Caïman Giovanna Charles, people from other sectors, friends and relatives.

Dr Payet thanked the Pillay family for their contribution to educational development in Seychelles and reminded those present that education is the fundamental foundation of any individual, family or nation.

Company director Paramesvaran Pillay said the hard work started by his father 50 years ago has borne fruit as the company has now a good reputation as an importer, wholesaler, retailer and distributor of Seychelles Breweries’ products.

Mr Pillay said honesty and trustworthiness in business have been the keys to the company’s success.

He also acknowledged the help received from partners, which has contributed to the company’s achievements.
Special mention went to the late K. Ramanathan Pillay, who is considered as the family’s mentor.

Mr Pillay thanked the Seychelles government for its pro-business attitude and its efforts to create a favourable business climate locally.

He also thanked customers and the general public for their continuing support.
On behalf of Seychelles Breweries, Mr Lucas described the 38 years of partnership with G.S. Pillay – one of the first main distributors of its products – as excellent and efficient, remaining firm even in difficult times. He added that G.S. Pillay has witnessed the progress of Seychelles Breweries through the years.

With new challenges ahead, Mr Lucas said the partnership with G.S. Pillay and other retailers should be strengthened to boost the services offered.

Mr Bhullar said his company has had a very good working relationship with G.S. Pillay throughout its five years in business.
He added that Airtel is proud and happy to have the company as one of its distributors and wished them more success in their future investments.

During Wednesday’s ceremony, distinguished guests and staff received gifts from the company’s directors, and the event ended with a dinner.

Seychelles tuna conference to consider needs of Indian Ocean tuna fisheries

Tuesday, 12 January 2010 11:47   From: fishnewseu

ORGANISERS of the inaugural Seychelles Tuna Conference, taking place in Mahe 4-6 February, have confirmed an impressive line-up of speakers for the event.

They say that government officials, industry leaders and some of the world’s top marine scientists have committed to speak and share ideas in an open forum scheduled for the first week in February.

“The Indian Ocean is an important resource and its future depends upon cooperation among all stakeholders,” said Adolfo Valsecchi, Chief Executive Officer of MWBrands (maker of Petit Navire, Parmentier, John West and Mareblu products). “This is an opportunity to build on the success already achieved in the Seychelles.”

Conference host, the Republic of the Seychelles, is located in one of the largest fishing grounds in the world and is home to the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC.)

“More than 20 percent of the world’s tuna comes from the Indian Ocean making it a region that we all have an intense interest in protecting,” International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) President Susan Jackson said. “This conference will be a huge success if it simply sparks a renewed passion for working together toward a sustainable future.”

The Seychelles 1st Tuna Conference – Taking Stock: Action Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow – will allow participants to evaluate what is currently known about the fisheries, share new scientific data and propose immediate actions and long range strategies to strengthen and protect tuna resources in the Indian Ocean. Attendees will also tour a working fishing vessel and tuna processing plant.

Among the confirmed speakers scheduled to present during the 3 day conference are: Joel Morgan, Minister for Environment, Natural Resources, Transport and Fisheries, Republic of Seychelles; Laurent Dagorn, Senior Scientist, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement; Miguel Jorge, Marine Program Director - WWF International; Rolph Payet, Special Advisor to the President of the Republic of Seychelles; Dale Squires, Senior Scientist and Economist, National Marine Fisheries Service; Dr. Michel Goujon, Director of Orthongel. A full list of speakers and the conference agenda can be found here.

The conference will also honour the work of the late Dr. James Joseph, a well-respected fisheries conservation scientist who passed away while organizing the event. Dr. Joseph was, most recently, the Chair of the ISSF Scientific Advisory Committee.

The Seychelles 1st Tuna Conference is being hosted by the Government of the Republic of Seychelles with support from MWBrands and the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation.

President names new national theme committee

 Seychelles Nation - 09.01.2010
President James Michel has appointed a steering committee to promote the new national theme for the year 2010 – Together, Ready for the Future.

The committee is, once again, chaired by Vice-President Joseph Belmont, and the vice-chairman will be Minister for Community Development, Youth, Sports and Culture Vincent Meriton. 

The committee also has representatives of the two major political parties in the National Assembly and of government agencies, the police, small businesses, churches and civil society.

The newly formed University of Seychelles is also represented as it establishes itself as the shaping ground for a future generation of leaders.

Together, Ready for the Future encompasses the ideals of unity and our nation’s common endeavour to forge a bright and prosperous future. The theme stresses the importance of a strong and forward-looking vision for Seychellois society grounded within its values and spirituality. 

“2009 has prepared us for the future. In 2010, we are ready for whatever may come. We are ready to turn challenges into opportunities as one nation,” said Mr Michel.

The President also thanked the committee charged with promoting the 2009 theme, Koste Seselwa (Come Together Seychellois), and stressed that the spirit of unity was what made Seychelles strongest when it needed to be. 

He also flagged the importance of maintaining our solidarity as a nation in everything we do.
“We must come together in everything we do. We must koste for the future of Seychelles – this is also essential for the theme of 2010,” he said.

The other members of the national theme committee are:
● Marie-Antoinette Rose – Parti Lepep representative;
● Jean-François Ferrari – Seychelles National Party;
● A representative of the Catholic Church;
● A representative of the Anglican Church;
● Charles Bastienne, chief executive of the Housing Finance Company, representing government agencies;
● The chief executive of the National Youth Council – to be designated;
● Caroline Abel – Central Bank of Seychelles;
● Jean-Claude Matombe – Liaison Unit for Non-governmental Organisations of Seychelles;
● Ted Barbe – Seychelles Police;
● Santasha Hoareau, secretary of the Textile and Tailoring Association, representing small businesses;
● Marc Marengo – Eco-Tourism Society of Seychelles, representing civil society;
● Jennifer Sinon, chief executive of the Seychelles Hospitality and Tourism Association, representing the tourism industry;
● Dr Rolph Payet – vice-chancellor of the University of Seychelles, representing university education. 

Prospective UniSey students learn about law degree

Seychelles Nation

Prospective students of the University of Seychelles (UniSey) yesterday learned more about the new Bachelor of Laws programme now on offer.

The presentation at the ex-National Institute of Education on the three-year law degree course to start in October was given by UniSey’s vice-chancellor Dr Rolph Payet in the presence of chief justice Frederick Egonda-Ntende.

Also present were president of the Court of Appeal Francis MacGregor, attorney-general Ronny Govinden, judges, lawyers and other legal professionals. 

In his opening address, Mr MacGregor said this law degree is for those who want to gain an LLB degree of international standing, which has provided the first step on a career path for many thousands of practising lawyers worldwide.

“The programme aims to promote independent learning and it provides you with a wealth of resources,” he added.

He told the prospective students the course will enable them to develop their critical awareness and learn how to stand back and consider the bigger picture regarding the context of law, nationally and globally.

Students will get an opportunity not only to know the law but to understand it, he added.
Talking about the need for such a course here, Dr Payet said there has been great demand “as there is a critical call for legal practitioners in the country”.

He said there is demand in offshore services, maritime law, environmental law and also a need for more state counsel.

“With the reform in the economy there has been much greater demand for legal professionals, and it is much cheaper to train people here than to send them abroad,” Dr Payet explained.

He said two companies have already offered scholarships on this new programme. The university will start with the full-time course this year and later on consider other options such as part-time and diploma-level courses.

UniSey is proposing to introduce English law training here at LLB level and explore how specialised aspects of French and European law can be introduced at master level, he added.

The degree will be done in partnership with the University of London, and those who are interested must have an A-level certificate in at least three subjects with a minimum of 200 points in total – grade A being 120 points, grade B (100), grade C (80), grade D (60) and grade E (40).

Dr Payet added that they should also have the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) with a minimum grade C in three subjects, including English.

People who already have a degree but now want to pursue the law degree can do so, he added. Students who have not gained the necessary points at A-level can resit their exams and enrol on the course if they get the required grades.

Dr Payet said the cost of the course will be announced later, but the tuition fee is estimated at around R100,000-R125,000 a year.

All applications should be in by August 15, as induction will follow shortly afterwards.