November 12, 2010 -- The Seychelles Innovation and Technology Council is organizing its first national innovation forum today.

The meeting of business leaders, technologists, policy makers and academics will be held four times a year. It will discuss innovation issues, generate ideas and make recommendations.

The meeting today will be launched by Vice-President Danny Faure.

Microsoft's Africa chairman, Dr Cheick Diarra will deliver the keynote speech at the forum at the University of Seychelles' School of Education. Yesterday Dr Diarra was received at State House by VP Faure. He said Microsoft which two years ago signed an agreement with the Ministry of Education, supports President James Michel's vision of making Seychelles a knowledge-based society.

"The President's notion of innovation has captivated us so much that we have spent a lot of time training your teachers and their trainers so that we may have a generation of young people who are electronically illiterate," said Dr Diarra.

The goals set by President Michel are within reach, added Dr Diarra.

The prime aim of the forums is to stimulate the free flow of ideas, to further strengthen business relationships and inform stakeholders about the opportunities for research and development, and for the advance of innovation in Seychelles.

Does Seychelles need a creative economy? is the theme for the first forum.