Three part-time students enrolled in the ‘B.Ed. Mathematics’ programme at the University of Seychelles (UniSey) are currently undertaking a one-month regional internship in Mauritius, as part of the ‘Work-Based Experience’ component of their studies. They are respectively Ms Magdalena Jean-Louis, Ms Stephanie Nourrice and Mr Jordan Bristol.

After the inaugural batch of in-service ‘Social Sciences’ teachers who carried out their internship in four of our colleges, last year, the SeDEC is pleased to host this second cohort of B.Ed. Secondary trainees. This point was reiterated by the Executive Director of the SeDEC, Dr (Mrs) Gilberte Chung Kim Chung, during an induction ceremony held the 25^th of April at the SeDEC to mark the launching of the internship programme: “Mauritians and Seychellois share a lot of fraternal ties, and we are happy that we can keep learning from each other. You have come here, trainees, for a formal learning experience through interactions with Mauritian students and educational practitioners, but our schools will also benefit from your presence. So, do share your experience with us as well.”

Present alongside the three Seychellois students were Dr Justin Zelime, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Development at UniSey, and Dr Raymond Anyanwu, Senior Lecturer within the Department of Education, Language and Media (DELM). They both expressed the appreciation of the university for the ongoing partnership with the SeDEC, an institution that has heartily responded to their request for the materialisation of this initiative. Dr Zelime has formulated the wish that avenues may be explored in the future for the Mauritian side to visit the Seychelles and get acquainted with the educational system there.

Following the official part of the ceremony – with supplementary inputs from Dr Jimmy Harmon, Head of Secondary at the SeDEC, and Dr Pascal Nadal, Head of Training at the SeDEC and internship coordinator – it was time for the three interns to meet with their respective Mentor and Rector. They were also presented with tokens of welcome symbolising their integration within the different school communities.

Until the 24^th of May, Magdalena will be posted at BPS College, Stephanie at St Mary’s College, and Jordan at Collège de la Confiance. It is expected that they will be visited by their tutor from the DELM, Dr Bryan Moumou, during the last week of their stay for the formal assessment of this regional work-based experience. We wish them well in our midst!