SIAH Strengthens Practical Training Through GreenTraINT Summer School 2026

📅 13–17 July 2026 | 👤 SIAH Admin | 📁 Partnerships

From 13 to 17 July 2026, students from the Seychelles Institute of Agriculture and Horticulture (SIAH) and the University of Seychelles (UniSey), together with lecturers, staff and local and international partners, took part in the GreenTraINT Summer School in Seychelles. The programme combined technical learning, laboratory practice, conservation activities and field visits focused on sustainable agriculture, food production and biodiversity.

GreenTraINT Summer School 2026 banner showing participating partner organisations — Partner organisations supporting the GreenTraINT Summer School in Seychelles.

Connecting education, industry and conservation

GreenTraINT—the Green Training INTernational programme for agriculture, livestock farming and conservation—is an Erasmus+ initiative co-funded by the European Union and coordinated by the University of Bologna. SIAH, the University of Seychelles (UniSey) and the Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority were among the local partners helping students connect classroom learning with the realities of agriculture and conservation in Seychelles.

13 July: Technical learning and teamwork

The week opened with classroom sessions bringing together students from SIAH and UniSey, educators and technical specialists. Discussions covered sustainable agriculture, livestock production, microbiology, food safety, good hygiene practices and HACCP principles. Team activities encouraged participants to exchange knowledge and work across institutions.

Students from SIAH and the University of Seychelles with GreenTraINT partners during a classroom session — SIAH and UniSey students learning alongside GreenTraINT partners on 13 July.

SIAH students working together during the GreenTraINT Summer School — SIAH and UniSey students learning alongside GreenTraINT partners on 13 July.

14 July: Production and food-safety practice

Participants visited Ferox Feeds & Abattoir to observe feed, livestock and production operations in a working environment. Laboratory activities at the Agricultural Support Services Laboratory then examined surface contamination and ethanol disinfection through microbiological assays, linking site observations with food-safety practice.

Students from SIAH and the University of Seychelles with GreenTraINT partners arriving for the Ferox Feeds facility visit — SIAH and UniSey students with GreenTraINT partners at Ferox Feeds on 14 July.

Facility representative briefing GreenTraINT participants during the Ferox Feeds visit — SIAH and UniSey students with GreenTraINT partners at Ferox Feeds on 14 July.

15 July: Conservation on Curieuse

Conservation-related activities on Curieuse Island highlighted the close relationship between agriculture, ecosystems and biodiversity. The visit broadened the programme beyond production and encouraged participants to consider how responsible land use and conservation can reinforce one another.

16 July: SIAH leadership and farm-based learning

The programme continued at the SIAH campus with theoretical agriculture sessions and exchanges among SIAH and UniSey students, SIAH staff and visiting GreenTraINT partners. Dr Barry Nourice, Director of SIAH, engaged directly with participants and helped connect the week’s technical discussions with the institute’s practical training mission.

Participants then visited Fresh Way Farm and Steven Roseline for field-based learning. Guided discussions explored local production methods, farm infrastructure and the practical challenges faced by producers in Seychelles.

Students from SIAH and the University of Seychelles, SIAH staff and GreenTraINT partners at the SIAH campus on 16 July 2026 — SIAH and UniSey students, SIAH staff and GreenTraINT partners at the campus on 16 July.

Dr Barry Nourice, Director of SIAH, addressing GreenTraINT partners at the SIAH campus — SIAH and UniSey students, SIAH staff and GreenTraINT partners at the campus on 16 July.

17 July: Biodiversity, bioinformatics and reflection

The final programme activities included a visit to the Seychelles National Botanical Gardens, an insect photographic safari, a bioinformatics laboratory and a participant evaluation of the Summer School. The day brought together agriculture, research and conservation while giving students space to reflect on what they had learned.

SIAH and University of Seychelles students with GreenTraINT partners and the programme banner at the Seychelles National Botanical Gardens — SIAH and UniSey students with GreenTraINT partners at the Botanical Gardens on 17 July.

Botanical Gardens guide explaining a tropical plant to GreenTraINT participants — SIAH and UniSey students with GreenTraINT partners at the Botanical Gardens on 17 July.

The SIAH team behind the week

SIAH’s leadership, lecturers and support staff played an essential role in coordinating participants, preparing facilities, supporting learning sessions and helping the field activities run smoothly. Their contribution strengthened SIAH’s role as a practical training partner linking students with industry, research and conservation.

Dr Barry Nourice, Director of SIAH, leading a discussion during the farm visit — Dr Barry Nourice helping connect institutional learning with field practice.

SIAH support staff member who helped coordinate the GreenTraINT Summer School — Dr Barry Nourice helping connect institutional learning with field practice.

A stronger network for sustainable agriculture

The GreenTraINT Summer School demonstrated the value of collaboration between education, industry and conservation. For students from SIAH and UniSey, as well as SIAH staff, it offered direct experience, international exchange and a stronger understanding of how sustainable practice can support Seychelles’ food security and environmental goals.