State of Gujarat, India: The President of the Republic, President Danny Faure visited two institutions of higher learning and the Sabarmati Ghandi Ashram in the state of Gujarat, 23rd June 2018, at the start of his first State Visit to India.
The President’s visit to these prestigious and world class educational universities, is geared towards further consolidating the cooperation between Seychelles and India in education, leading to highly specialized public servants in senior management positions and forensic sciences.
Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad
The first visit was at the Indian Institute of Management (IIMA), established in 1961, where he was welcomed by the Director of the Institution, Professor Errol D’Souza. The visit started with a briefing, during which President Faure and delegation received an overview of the academic programmes offered by the Institute, which includes post graduate diploma programmes in management and agri-business management, a fellowship programme and a number of executive training programmes.
During the meeting, President Faure discussed possibilities of future areas of cooperation such as exchange programmes between the Government of Seychelles and the Indian Institute of Management. Presently, the Institute have bilateral academic exchange with about sixteen countries around the world.
Following the briefing, the President and delegation toured some facilities of the campus. It houses the academic blocks, faculty offices, student and faculty accommodation, the Dr. Vikram Sarabhai Library, the R.J. Mathai Auditorium, the Louis Kahn Plaza, the International Management Development Centre, the Kasturbhai Lalbhai Management Development Centre, the Centre for Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship, sport facilities, several food outlets and merchandise stores.
Sabarmati Ashram Preservation and Memorial Trust, Ahmedabad
President Faure also visited the Sabarmati Ashram Preservation and Memorial Trust (SAPMJ), Ahmedabad, also known as the Mahatma Gandhi Ashram. It is a national monument and one of the biggest tourist attractions that shows how Mahatma Gandhi spent about 12 years of his life in this Ashram located in the Sabarmati suburb of Ahmedabad at Subhash Bridge.
Upon arrival, one of the Trustees, Shri Kartikeya V Sarabhai and secretary of SAPMT, Shri Amrut Modi, invited President Faure to see the Ghandi Heritage Portal, which has been set up to preserve, protect and disseminate original writings of Ghandiji and make available to the world the large corpus of “Fundamental Works” which are necessary for any comprehensive study of the life and thoughts of Gandhiji.
The President and delegation also toured the museum 'Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya' which has some of Gandhi's personal letters and photographs on display.
Gujarat Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar, Gujarat
President Faure was also welcomed at the Gujarat Forensic Sciences University, which is the first university in the world solely dedicated to forensic and investigative sciences.
The Director General of Gujarat Forensic Sciences University, Dr J. M. Vyas gave a presentation about the university. Being first of its kind, the University aims to become a world class University having various centers of excellence in different areas related to forensic and allied sciences.
The President also met 18 of the Seychellois police officers, presently studying at this university and addressed other students, where he encouraged them to persevere in their studies. He also affirmed that the Government of Seychelles will be proposing a Memorandum of Understanding with the University, which will allow for more professionals to be trained in forensic sciences.
At the end of the visits, President Faure met the Honorable Governor of Gujarat, Shri Om Prakash Kohli at Raj Bhawan for a brief tête-à-tête, where the two leaders discussed state affairs. This was followed by a luncheon hosted by the Governor which was equally attended by the Chief Minister of the State of Gujarat, H.E. Mr Vijay Rupani.
Accompanying the President during the visits and meeting was Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Barry Faure, Secretary of State, Presidential Affairs, Mrs Aude Labaleine, Chief Presidential Protocol Affairs, Mrs Jacqueline Moustache-Belle, Chief Presidential Protocol Affairs, H.E. High Commissioner of Republic of Seychelles to India, H.E. Mr Philippe Le Gall and High Commissioner of India to Seychelles, Dr Ausaf Sayeed.
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Editors Note:
For more information on the respective Institutions:
Official website of the Indian Institute of Management - https://www.iima.ac.in/web/iima
Sabarmati Ashram Preservation and Memorial Trust - https://gandhiashramsabarmati.org/en/about-gandhi-ashram-menu.html
Gujarat Forensic Sciences University - http://www.gfsu.edu.in/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/GFSU_Brochure.pdf