VICTORIA, Seychelles — Fazila Ernesta has been awarded the President’s Cup during the graduation ceremony of the Seychelles Institute of Art and Design Class of 2025, clinching the prestigious prize as the top performer among more than 47 graduates at the Dockland Auditorium. The SIAD President’s Cup was presented to Fazila, who successfully completed a Diploma in Fashion and Textiles, by Vice-President Sebastien Pillay at the ceremony yesterday afternoon.
Fazila also received the best performer award for Diploma in Fashion and Textiles and the best performer award for Chinese language. Her awards were sponsored by SIAD, Seychelles Fashion Week, Gran Kaz, Aqua Studio, and the Confucius Institute. An emotional Fazila shared that it was an extreme honour to win the prestigious prize, noting that while her friends had predicted she would win, she could not believe it herself.
According to Fazila, the course was very challenging, explaining that fashion design is not just working with a sewing machine but requires making a lot of sacrifices. She plans to pursue further studies. The SIAD governing board award recognises consistency in performance and a higher level of effort throughout the course.
First Lady Veronique Herminie also attended the ceremony, which celebrated the achievements of graduates across several courses at the institute. Mrs Chetty-Payet, addressing the graduates, praised their commitment, creativity, and resilience that brought them to this stage.
SIAD continues to play a vital role in developing Seychelles’ creative talent and arts education. The institute offers programmes in fashion and textiles, visual arts, and design, contributing to the growing creative economy in Seychelles. Graduates with such qualifications often experience higher levels of job satisfaction and career success.
Fazila Ernesta’s President’s Cup win highlights the excellence of Seychelles’ arts education.
