• Reference: P-SC-IAD-002
• Approval date: 17/12/2008
• Start date: 05/10/2009
• Appraisal Date: 01/07/2008
• Status: OngoingOnGo
• Implementing Agency: GOVERNMENT OF SEYCHELLES MINISTRY OF FINANCE
• Location: SEYCHELLES

2.Description of Activities

Skills Needs Assessments

2.1.1 A thorough and comprehensive assessment of skills needs will be conducted in the context of the development objectives of Strategy 2017. This will involve an examination of the role of tertiary education, a mapping of the education and training system, as well as an assessment of key institutions such as the Seychelles Polytechnic and the National Institute of Education (NIE). The skills needs and institutional assessments, as well as the capacity building activities, will pay special attention to addressing the gender aspects. Indeed although girls outnumber boys in secondary education, data from the NIE suggest the number of girls in scientific fields is significantly lower than that of boys.

1.2 Objective 1 .2.1 The objective of the MIC grant is to:

(i) assist the GoS undertake needs assessment studies;

(ii) assess capacity of existing institutions; and

(iii) design a master plan for the establishment of a Seychelles University System.

1.2.2 To achieve these objectives, the following activities will be undertaken:

(i) review of sectoral strategies;

(ii) capacity assessment of key post-secondary institutions and human resources available in the institutions and abroad; and

(iii) stakeholders' consultations to discuss the draft reports.

Justification for the Use of Resources

1.3.1 The demand for highly skilled personnel and technicians in Seychelles is high and will become ever more intense as the productive sector expands in response to the continued economic growth. In this context, tertiary education and training is a direct means of providing youth with the skills more relevant to the evolving needs of employers and the economy. Whilst several post-secondary institutions have been setup to support the human resource needs of the country, there are no universities in Seychelles. Students are trained overseas and cost the country approximately $5 million on average per year. The Government's commitment to invest in human resources even at this rate often results in a loss of human capital, as approximately 10 percent of students do not return to the country after training.

1.3.2 In order to reduce overseas training costs and the loss of scarce human resources, the Government proposes to establish a University of Seychelles system to play a key role in the transformation of the country into a knowledge-based society by increasing the current pool of skilled personnel. The University -when eventually established- may focus on fields which will support the high growth areas of the economy (Information Technology, Business and Finance, Environmental Management, Fisheries and Tourism).

1.3.3 It could partner with renowned international institutions and set up a network to interconnect with the private sector and other stakeholders in order to better respond to the skills requirements of the country. It is understood that the role of a university should not only be limited to the training of students. Through research, community service and contribution to innovations, the University of Seychelles system could attract talent to study in Seychelles and transform the economic landscape.

1.3.4 Furthermore the proposed studies, while assisting the GoS to make a decision on the feasibility of the establishment of a university system, will assist the Bank build its knowledge of the sector. As per the request of the African Ministerial Council on Science and Technology for each country to undertake STI skills mapping, the studies will contribute to the goals of the African Union and the NEPAD "Consolidated Science and Technology Plan of Action". It is also in line with the Bank's HEST strategy.

The proposed activities will contribute to a comprehensive assessment of the Seychelles skills needs to achieve the national Strategy 2017 and assist the GoS in designing a relevant training system to provide skilled manpower on a sustainable basis, with a special focus on the feasibility of a national university system

BOAHENE-AGBO Frank Kwaku - OSHD2

Finance source	Amount
MICF	UAC 600,000
Government	UAC 66,667
Total	UAC 666,667