The President of the Republic, Mr Wavel Ramkalawan held a special session this morning with the cohort of Graduates who were expected to further their studies this year but have had to differ or postpone their studies due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Also present for the panel discussion, was the Vice-President, Mr Ahmed Afif, the new Minister for Education, Dr Justin Valentin, the Principal Secretary for Higher Education and Human Resource Development, Dr Linda Barallon and the Chief Executive Officer of the Agency for National Human Resource Development (ANHRD), Mrs Nadia Lauricourt.

The main objective of the session was to discuss the way forward and answer questions the graduates had pertaining to their studies and outline the government’s new approach vis-à-vis education and further studies.

Addressing the graduates, President Ramkalawan reassured the graduates that their education and future remains top priority for the government and reaffirmed his commitment in doing whatever possible for them to complete their studies and return to join the Seychellois workforce.

During the session, graduates had the opportunity to openly voice out their concerns on various topics namely departure dates and intakes for studies, choice of Universites, graduate allowances, requirements and criteria for scholarships, placements for internships and work based exposure among others.

Aside from answering their queries, the meeting was also an opportunity for the students themselves to share suggestions and propose possible solutions to issues raised allowing the relevant Department and authorities to have first-hand information required for more informed decisions.

A little over 80 graduates attended the fruitful session this morning, of which they expressed their gratitude to the Head of State and his team for making the time to hear their views as well as provide pertinent clarifications concerning their future professional development.