The President of the Republic, Mr. Wavel Ramkalawan was the guest of honour at the 2020-2022 graduation ceremony for students who successfully completed their studies at the Seychelles Business Studies Academy (SBSA), held at the International Conference Centre Seychelles (ICCS), yesterday morning.

This year’s recipient of the President’s Cup, was Jean-Luc Barra who was following the Diploma in Business Management and Administration. He has been described as a born leader and a true voice for other learners, where he has displayed participatory leadership skills by volunteering to assist any peers in difficulty; be it to clear confusion on topics covered in class or hang out with them to stir them away from bad influences. Furthermore, he has made self-sacrifices to loyally stand by his comrades, particularly the ones stricken by society’s ailments. A devoted and proud mentor who dedicated a lot of time to mentoring either at the academy level or in secondary schools. The lecturers have been proud of the candidate’s academic performance and WBE supervisors regarded him as a devoted, honourable, and humble trainee. A role model at the academy, who has vaulted many grounds persistently to take SBSA to greater heights.

Altogether, 175 students followed courses in different programmes such as in Certificate in Administration Skills, AAT Foundation Certificate in Accounting, Advanced Certificate in Business Management and Administration, Certificate in Business Administration, Certificate in Accounting, Advanced Certificate in Accounting, Diploma in Business Management and Administration and Diploma in Accounting and Finance.

In her address at the ceremony, the Director of SBSA, Josianne Bristol, commended this cohort for pushing the bar to the highest level recording 16 graduates with distinctions. She advised them to keep persevering in their future studies and career as well as to keep professionalism at the core of all that they do.

"Go and build those successes; those of you going on to further studies ensure you give that your all, so you come out victorious. Those joining the world of work ensure you demonstrate the professionalism you have been taught so as to shine in your career. We close a door to your studies at SBSA, but we open your gateway to greater opportunities. Seize them all with fervour and make the most of everything that comes your way," she said.

During the ceremony, two of the SBSA staff; Medline Allissop and Ivy Joubert, who also graduated were congratulated for their enduring perseverance to upgrade their knowledge.

The Best Effort Award went to Alisha Hoareau, Gaelle Mounac, Megan Gilbert and Shania Joseph. The Outstanding Performer Award which is each year presented to the graduate who has produced excellent results in his or her respective programme was received by Emily Adolphe for the Certificate in Administrative Skills, Camillia Stephen for the Certificate in Business Administration, Kendra Poussou, AAT Foundation Certificate in Accounting, Curtis Nolin for the Diploma in Business Management and Administration, and Megan Gilbert forthe Diploma in Accounting and Finance.

Ms. Gilbert also clinched the AAT Award bestowed on the Diploma in Accounting and Finance graduate who has excelled academically in all the AAT external exams.

This year SBSA has taken the initiative to introduce a new award. This is the Most Resilient Learner Award which replaces the previous SNYC award. It rewarded the graduate who has shown perseverance through adversity and difficult life events and this award recipient was Liam Jean-Louis.

Curtis Nolin and Adrian Port-Louis both received the annual SBSA Governing Board Award, jointly sponsored by all members of the Governing Board. This award is conferred to the graduate who has demonstrated outstanding contribution by being an exceptional ambassador to the academy.

The Medal of Academic Excellence, which was introduced for the first time last year, was awarded to Megan Gilbert, who has done exceptionally well academically.

Other than President Ramkalawan, guests at the ceremony included the Minister for Education, Dr Justin Valentin, Principal Secretaries, Directors of Education, Chairperson of the SBSA Governing Board, Mr. Oliver Bastienne, Members of the SBSA Governing Board, Sponsors, SBSA Management and Staff, parents and other invited guests.