President Ramkalawan Honours Seychelles' Top Cambridge Achievers
President Wavel Ramkalawan, accompanied by First Lady Linda Ramkalawan, hosted a prestigious ceremony at State House Friday morning to honour Seychelles' highest achievers in the 2024 Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level examinations.
The event marked a departure from conventional recognition ceremonies by placing special emphasis on the vital role of parental and familial support in students' academic success. Surrounded by proud parents and educators, the ceremony celebrated not only academic excellence but also the collective effort behind each student's achievement.
In his address, President Ramkalawan commended the honourees for their unwavering dedication, perseverance, and discipline. He acknowledged the essential support of parents, teachers, and school leaders throughout the students' educational journey and urged the young scholars to act as ambassadors of excellence and agents of national progress.
"You are a beacon of light for the generations and show that there is a better way," President Ramkalawan told the assembled students. "Your effort, your perseverance, your discipline – all these were required for you to achieve such good grades. You are giving us hope today that Seychelles can produce good education at this level."
The recognised students distinguished themselves among more than 200,000 candidates from over 130 countries who sit for Cambridge examinations annually. Their accomplishments not only underscore national excellence but also reflect Seychelles' presence on the global academic stage.
Among the standout performances were Laurent Joseph and Shaun Leste, who jointly secured first place globally in their respective subjects. Ellie Mondon, Jayabalaji Gunasekan, and Lia Frichot also earned joint eighth place worldwide in areas including English as a Second Language, Computer Science, Environmental Management, and French as a Foreign Language.
President Ramkalawan further announced a subsequent national recognition ceremony scheduled for July 2025, aimed at honouring a broader cohort of high-performing students across Seychelles.
The ceremony concluded with the presentation of certificates of recognition, applauding the students' exceptional achievements.
In attendance were Minister for Education Dr. Justin Valentin, Principal Secretary Merna Eulentin, Director General of the Assessment Division Arnold Chang Pen Tive, Director of the School of Advanced Level Studies Elaine Larue, Director of the Seychelles Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture Maryanne Marie, Executive Head of International School Seychelles Elodie Vallantine, Principal of Independent School Andy Esparon, and Head Teacher of Praslin Secondary Ian Collie, along with invited guests.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
10 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE, WHO launch joint effort to cut child mortality from malnutrition by 20% in Yemen
The UAE and the World Health Organisation launched a joint initiative to reduce mortality rate caused by poor health and malnutrition among children in Yemen by 20 per cent. The global body said on Sunday that the project aims to enhance maternal and child health services — targeting 80 per cent across health facilities within the next 24 months. The initiative is led by the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation for Humanitarian Work, and in close coordination with Yemen's Ministry of Public Health and Population (MoPHP). The focus of the programme is Socotra, a Yemeni island in the Indian Ocean, where malnutrition and disease outbreaks continue to pose a serious threat. Socotra is grappling with severe food insecurity and repeated outbreaks of cholera, measles, and dengue fever. The island's under-resourced health and nutrition services leave children under five, along with pregnant and lactating women, at especially high risk of preventable diseases and death. With a population of over 83,000, Socotra is served by just 32 strained health facilities. It currently lacks essential infrastructure such as a central public health laboratory, a functional drug warehouse, and a system for pre-positioning medical supplies — all critical for timely emergency response and sustainable healthcare delivery. The healthcare system faces chronic shortages of skilled personnel, essential medicines, and emergency preparedness mechanisms. Maternal health indicators are particularly concerning: over 92 per cent of pregnant women suffer from anaemia, and antenatal care remains minimal. Additionally, nearly 37 per cent of children have not received any vaccinations. Malnutrition levels are also alarming, with the global acute malnutrition (GAM) rate at 10.9 per cent and the severe acute malnutrition (SAM) rate at 1.6 per cent — figures that reflect a serious public health emergency. As part of the programme, WHO and the UAE will focus on enhancing epidemic preparedness and disaster risk reduction. This includes equipping healthcare facilities, training staff to better respond to disease outbreaks and cyclone-related emergencies, and creating a multisectoral coordination platform. Quarterly strategic planning meetings will bring together WHO, UAE, MoPHP, and other partners to ensure ongoing collaboration and effective implementation. 'We are determined to effectively address food and health challenges faced by women and children in Socotra, in collaboration with the WHO,' said Mohamed Haji Al Khouri, director-general of the Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation for Humanitarian Work. Al Khouri explained that the Khalifa Foundation, an affiliate of Erth Zayed Philanthropies, would work with the WHO to develop appropriate solutions to nutritional and health challenges using a new survey based on current data. 'The joint initiative aims to reduce maternal and child mortality caused by malnutrition through a comprehensive plan of action. This will enhance maternal, infant, and child care services, and improve emergency preparedness and response to epidemics,' he added.' 'This programme reflects a joint commitment by WHO and the UAE to improving the health and well-being of vulnerable populations, particularly mothers and children, while reinforcing healthcare systems in crisis-affected areas," said Dr Ferima Coulibaly-Zerbo, acting representative of WHO in Yemen. "We are working to create more resilient, equitable, and responsive health services for the people of Socotra, establishing a foundation for long-term health security on the island and contributing to a stronger and healthier Yemen,' she added.
Khaleej Times
a day ago
- Khaleej Times
Eid Al Adha: 5 visa-free countries UAE residents can travel to during holidays
Eid Al Adha is just round the corner and many UAE residents, if not most, have already made plans for the holidays. A majority of them have already made travel plans outside the country to get a brief respite from the sweltering heat, while some have opted for staycations. But if you are one of those who is still undecided on where to go during the break, we have got you covered. There are many visa-free countries which are just a short flight away. Here are five visa-free destinations for a quick getaway: Georgia Georgia is one of the popular destinations for UAE residents as well as for travellers from around the world. Nestled between Europe and Asia, Georgia is known for its natural beauty, mountain landscapes and the popular town of Tbilisi. Georgia is just a short flight away with a travel time of 3.5 to 4 hours. UAE residents can get visa-free entry for up to 90 days. Seychelles Seychelles is another gem in the Indian Ocean and known for its pristine beaches and natural beauty. It is the ideal destination if you want escape the hustle and bustle of city life. The travel time to this paradise is approximately 4.5 hours and UAE residents can get visa-free entry. Maldives Maldives is another great destination if you want a quick getaway. The beach destination is known for its lagoons, picture-postcard views and resorts. Maldives offers visa on arrival for all nationalities and can be reached in 4.5 to 5 hours. Azerbaijan Azerbaijan is another go-to destination nestled between Europe and Asia. Azerbaijan known for its natural beauty, old towns and its cultural scene. UAE residents can get a visa on arrival for 30 days and the flying time is 3 hours. Nepal If you wish to be in the lap of Mother Nature, Nepal it is. The Himalayan Kingdom, home to Mount Everest, is known for its mountains, trekking, food, culture as well as ancient UNESCO World Heritage sites. UAE residents can get a visa on arrival and it takes approximately 4.5 hours to get there.
The National
2 days ago
- The National
Madagascar looks to deepen investment ties with the UAE, says country's top diplomat
Madagascar is seeking to deepen investment co-operation and strengthen ties with the UAE, the country's top diplomat said during a visit as part of a high-level delegation to take part in a two-day business forum. The Madagascar Business Forum was held in Dubai this week. It brought together more than 60 Malagasy business owners and entrepreneurs to connect with Emirati counterparts. 'This forum is part of our efforts to reinforce both economic and diplomatic ties between our two nations,' Madagascar's Foreign Minister, Rafaravavitafika Rasata, told The National. 'These two days are dedicated to expanding our economic partnership with the UAE.' Over the past nine years, Madagascar and the UAE have cultivated a growing relationship marked by strategic co-operation across various sectors, including infrastructure development, humanitarian aid, economic investment and digital innovation. Madagascar views the Emirates as a strategic partner for economic recovery and development, while the UAE sees the island nation as a gateway to African markets and a partner in advancing sustainable development initiatives in the Indian Ocean region. Emirates Airline launched direct flights from Dubai to Antananarivo last year and increased its services from four weekly flights to six as of April, responding to demand for both passenger and cargo transport. 'This demonstrates growing confidence in our market,' said Ms Rasata. 'It is a huge opportunity to position Madagascar not only as a tourist destination but also as a land of opportunity for investors.' Untapped potential Situated in the western Indian Ocean, Madagascar is the fourth-largest island in the world – larger in land mass than Germany and Spain combined. Despite its size and natural wealth, the country remains relatively undiscovered by international travellers. Surrounded by well-known Indian Ocean holiday destinations like the Maldives, Seychelles and Mauritius, Madagascar stands out for its biodiversity and eco-tourism appeal. 'Our country has won the Indian Ocean's Leading Green Destination award seven times,' noted the minister. 'We're prioritising sustainable and community-based tourism that highlights local culture and biodiversity.' She also pointed to agriculture as a key area for potential Emirati investment, particularly in the context of food security. 'Madagascar is a vast country – I would even call it a quasi-continent,' she said. 'With nearly 600,000 square kilometres of land, and 36 million hectares of arable land, there is immense potential for agribusiness and agricultural transformation.' Regional engagement Madagascar sits at a strategic location along key Indian Ocean shipping lanes, serving as a maritime crossroads between Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Its position near major east-west trade routes makes it a potential hub for maritime commerce, naval logistics and regional connectivity. 'We're extending our main port in Toamasina, and this expansion, expected to be completed by 2026, will further cement our role as a trade hub,' Ms Rasata said. She added that the country's natural assets, including housing 5 per cent of the world's biodiversity, position it uniquely on both the economic and ecological fronts. 'Madagascar has a major role to play – not only as a strategically located country but also as a dynamic market with investment opportunities in agriculture, tourism and renewable energy for Gulf countries and other partners.' Challenges at home Despite these ambitions, Madagascar faces domestic hurdles. A February 2025 World Bank report said that Madagascar's economy is recovering, but growth remains insufficient and too uneven to significantly improve living standards. 'Economic growth remained at 4.2 per cent in 2024. Growth is expected to gradually pick up this year, with projections averaging 4.7 per cent over 2025–2027,' the report said. Ms Rasata emphasised the need to tackle rural poverty, noting that around 80 per cent of the Malagasy population lives in rural areas and depends on agriculture for survival. 'Our focus is on transforming the agricultural sector to support food security, create jobs and add value,' she said. 'Madagascar is already Africa's third-largest rice producer after Nigeria and Egypt. Our goal is to become the first, and to meet local demand, which still requires importing 500,000 tons annually.' She also underscored the importance of attracting both foreign and domestic investment to support this transformation. The World Bank has stressed the urgency of accelerating structural reforms in energy, digital infrastructure and mining to sustain higher growth. Among the most pressing concerns is Madagascar's struggling energy sector. Only about one third of the country's 30 million people have access to electricity, according to the IMF. Critics cite mismanagement, poor governance, and corruption at the state utility Jirama as core obstacles. 'Our energy challenge is existential and we're treating it as such,' said Ms Rasata. 'There is strong political will to ensure our national utility can meet local demand and expand investment in renewable energy.' She outlined the government's target to double the country's energy generation capacity by 2030, with 70 per cent coming from green sources. 'All our efforts are aligned with this goal,' she added.
