Africa-Press – Seychelles. The University of Seychelles held its first National Academic Olympiad on Monday with participants from various secondary schools and the winners are Plaisance and Independent.
The Olympiad started at 9am and ended at 3pm, followed by an award ceremony attended by the Minister for Education, Dr Justin Valentin, principal secretary of educational services Merna Eulentin, principal secretary for education sector development John Lesperance, University of Seychelles (UniSey) vice-chancellor Joëlle Perreau and UniSey staff.
Originally scheduled to take place on March 14, 2019, the Olympiad took place for the first time this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. March 14 was chosen to coincide with PI (𝜋) day (3.14) and the birthday of Albert Einstein. The purpose of the event was to motivate and inspire students as well as promote academic learning.
Vice-chancellor Perreau in her address noted that the national academic Olympiad was initiated by the current Minister Dr Justin Valentin who was at the time the vice-chancellor of UniSey. She added that she hoped the students made the most of the day to celebrate intelligence, education and knowledge and to understand the importance of the day.
In total the Olympiad saw the participation of five secondary schools ‒ Pointe Larue, Plaisance, English River, Belonie and Independent. The activities were then split into two categories ‒ S1 to S3 and S4 to S5.
Dolivette Chang-Ko, director of marketing and communications at UniSey, detailed that the event had various academically stimulating activities which included ICT activities, quizzes in French, Creole and Geography, Maths and an English debate.
The students worked in groups and their points were tallied at the end of the day with Plaisance finishing first in the S1 to S3 category. They were followed by Belonie (second), Independent (third), English River (fourth) and Pointe Larue (fifth).
For the S4 to S5 category, victory went to Independent followed in second position by English River, while Belonie and Plaisance occupied third and fourth positions respectively.
The schools had one week to register and prepare as best they could as students were on half term.
Ms Chang-Ko said they are happy with the schools that managed to participate.
She stated that the event was not only to test the students academically but to also introduce them to the university.
All the students went home with a participation certificate, and the top three finishers also got a certificate of achievement for their respective schools as well as a shield, medals and university gift bags.
The event was sponsored by Vijay, Grocers, Sacos and UNIWIDE International Corporate Services.
Ms Chang-Ko has said UniSey will next year introduce the Olympiad at primary level as well.
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