Samia Victor came out as the best student in general agriculture and overall best performer, as 23 students yesterday graduated from the Seychelles Institute of Agriculture and Horticulture (SIAH).
The graduation ceremony which was attended by President James Michel was held at the Seychelles Institute of Teacher Education (Site) Auditorium.
President Michel presented Samia Victor with the president’s cup and a laptop in the presence of the Minister for Education Macsuzy Mondon, principal secretary for Planning, Human Resources, Infrastructure Development, Post Secondary and Tertiary Education Linda Barallon, chief executive (CEO) of the Seychelles Agricultural Agency (SAA) Marc Naiken among other guests.
Other than general agriculture, the 23 students graduated after following full time as well as apprenticeship courses in ornamental agriculture and landscaping. Others who excelled in their respective fields of study were Staniella Radegonde, Marcus Adrienne, and Sherla Balthilde. Verousca Commettant was rewarded as the student who had produced the best effort.
SIAH director Georgie Belmont said the graduation ceremony is a meaningful occasion for the graduates. He told them that the career they have chosen is a noble one as our livelihood depends on agriculture, which he added is the best way of tackling poverty and climate degradation and attaining food security.
“You are now in the forefront of the government’s objective to provide food for the population,” he remarked, adding that the school has provided the students with the necessary skills.
He asked them to remain abreast of technology and to be responsive to change. While he called on more youths to join SIAH’s programmes, has also asked their eventual employers to nurture them well and turn them into productive workers.
Mr Belmont added that the school remains committed to providing training to the farming
community and general public and noted its implication in the CLISSA (Competitive Local Innovations for Small-scale Agriculture) project.
He promised that it will continue to work with local and international partners, both from public and private sector, to pave the way for future success.
He took the opportunity to thank those partners, along with the teachers and parents, for the institution’s current success while he looked forward for the continuation of the partnership.
SIAH, the director concluded, will continue to improve on its marketing strategy, in order to change the negative mindset some people have about the agricultural sector.
On behalf of her colleagues, graduate Nylay Jaffa thanked the teachers, parents, SIAH management and support staff as well as government for the care, attention and resources they have provided to make them what they are proud to be today.
She has promised to put into practice the teachings received, in order to be productive for the country and to help achieve the Seychellois’ common goals.
Source : Seychelles NATION