A total of 93 former students of the Seychelles Institute of Management (SIM) graduated yesterday in a ceremony attended by President James Michel, Vice-President Danny Faure, ministers, sponsors and other guests.

 

Diploma in Logistics and Transport graduate Norbert Lepathy from Praslin - who was described as a major team player in group work - won the President's Award.

Jean Preira won the Guy Morel Award, which was launched in 2008 to honour the man who founded the SIM. It rewards professionals in the accounting and finance industries who have contributed significantly to their development, and this year Mr Michel sponsored a trophy and a cash prize for this award.

Nine graduates, including Mr Lepathy, were named as best performers.

The others were Jean-François Adam from the Diploma in Management course; Odile Lawen - Certificate in General Management; Laura Vital - Certificate in Office Management; Manuella Amesbury - Certificate in Human Resource Management; Dolivette Chang-ko - Chartered Institute of Management's (CIM) Professional Diploma in Marketing; Hilarry Rene - Association of Certified Chartered Accounts (ACCA) Professional Stream Part 1; Rachel Hoareau - ACCA Professional Stream Part 2; and Marie-Helene Dogley - ACCA (Certified Accounting Technician).

The SIM's chief executive Audrey Nanon thanked Mr Michel, saying his presence at the ceremony was a testimony to the importance he and the government attach to the development of a motivated and educated workforce for Seychelles.

 

She said the excellent results of the 2010 students have given immense satisfaction to the institute. Over 94% of the students on the local long courses graduated with at least a credit, with 36% getting distinctions.

"The ACCA professional training has been transformed, and we have already seen remarkable improvement in students' performances," she said.

"Results for the CIM courses are satisfactory, but we are exploring ways to revamp the manner in which the courses are offered with a view to continuously improve performance.

"The graduation of the very first cohort for the Diploma in Logistics and Transport was another achievement for the SIM.

"Other milestones in 2010 were the launch of the Certificate in Journalism course, the consolidation of the Board of Directors Orientation course and the graduation of the first cohort of International Financial Services Professionals, a course for bankers from the IFS School of Finance Banking based in the UK."