March 31, 2011 -- Dr Mihaela Smith, the first head of the Commonwealth Partnership for Technology Management (CPTM), was received by President James Michel at State House on Tuesday.

The smart partners' founder has hailed Seychellois leaders for being actively involved in the first Smart Partnership National Dialogue that took place earlier in the week.

Dr Smith said the meeting with the President was a chance for her to discuss the outcomes of the first such dialogue in Seychelles.

"Together with colleagues, we expressed our surprise at the courage the Seychellois leaders have shown in engaging in a real-time partnership dialogue as part and parcel of policy making at this time," she said.

She added that she was very pleased to see young people and business leaders actively taking part in a smart way, which needs to become a habit.

Dr Smith also met Vice-President Danny Faure at State House.