Rolph Payet
Encyclopedia
Dr Rolph Payet , BSc MBA, MSc
, PhD
, FRGS is an international policy expert, researcher and speaker on environment, climate and island issues and is first and current President & Vice-Chancellor of the University of Seychelles
.
He was educated at the University of East Anglia
(BSc), University of Surrey
(MBA), University of Ulster
(MSc), Imperial College London
, and the John F. Kennedy School of Government
at Harvard University
. He received his PhD from Linnaeus University
in Environmental Science
, where he undertook multidisciplinary research in sustainable tourism
.
, the Basel Convention
, and the UNFCCC. He was instrumental in addressing Small Island Developing States
issues and in implementing appropriate strategies, institutions and capacity in Seychelles to address these emerging global environmental issues.
He was appointed President & Vice-Chancellor of the University of Seychelles
in October 2009.
He is also Special Advisor to the President of the Republic of Seychelles, Mr James Michel
, since 2007. In that role he independently advises the President on numerous environmental matters including sustainable development, biodiversity, climate change, energy, and international environment policy.
Rolph Payet is founding member/trustee of the Global Island Partnership, the Sea Level Rise Foundation, the Seychelles University Foundation, the Seychelles Centre for Marine Research and Technology, the Island Conservation Society and the Silhouette Foundation. Dr Payet has also been instrumental in increasing the visibility and impact of numerous regional and international organisations such as the International Coral Reef Initiative (co-chair from 2003–2005), the Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts and Islands, and the Interim Coordinator of the Nairobi Convention UNEP Regional Seas Programme.
Recently, Rolph has been invited to sit on numerous international conference committees and panels, and as moderator/speaker on climate change, biodiversity and island issues. Rolph is periodically invited by the Secretary General of the UN, Ban Ki Moon, to speak at various UN forums, including the UN General Assembly. His work has also been covered by the international media, such as CNN
and the BBC
.
Rolph is an elected Central Committee Member of Parti Lepep and has been active in the social and political life of his party.
Rolph is lead author with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
and was involved with the Third and Fourth Assessment Reports. As an IPCC Lead Author, he became the first Seychellois to share in the award of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize
.
Rolph has published numerous peer-reviewed papers, book chapters and one book.
In 2007, he was elected Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society
for his contributions to marine research.
In January 2007, Rolph was selected a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum
.
MSC
- Computers:* Mario Strikers Charged* Microsoft Common Console Document, file for the Microsoft Management Console* Microelectronics Support Centre* Microsoft Corporation* MIDI Show Control* Message Sequence Chart...
, PhD
PHD
PHD may refer to:*Ph.D., a doctorate of philosophy*Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*PHD finger, a protein sequence*PHD Mountain Software, an outdoor clothing and equipment company*PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
, FRGS is an international policy expert, researcher and speaker on environment, climate and island issues and is first and current President & Vice-Chancellor of the University of Seychelles
University of Seychelles
Based in Seychelles, the University of Seychelles was established on the 17th September 2009. The University of Seychelles consist of approximately 175 students...
.
Personal life
Payet was born in Seychelles. He grew up in Rochon, a suburb of the capital, Mahe, Victoria. As young boy he dreamed of becoming a scientist. He attended Seychelles College,then Mont Fleuri School, completed two years of National Youth Service in Seychelles (1985–1986). He completed his Cambridge O/A-levels at the Seychelles Polytechnic in December 1988, where he was awarded the most outstanding science student. He grew up falling in love with the environment, and after numerous expeditions to islands such as Cerf and Silhouette, decided on a career in environment.He was educated at the University of East Anglia
University of East Anglia
The University of East Anglia is a public research university based in Norwich, United Kingdom. It was established in 1963, and is a founder-member of the 1994 Group of research-intensive universities.-History:...
(BSc), University of Surrey
University of Surrey
The University of Surrey is a university located within the county town of Guildford, Surrey in the South East of England. It received its charter on 9 September 1966, and was previously situated near Battersea Park in south-west London. The institution was known as Battersea College of Technology...
(MBA), University of Ulster
University of Ulster
The University of Ulster is a multi-campus, co-educational university located in Northern Ireland. It is the largest single university in Ireland, discounting the federal National University of Ireland...
(MSc), Imperial College London
Imperial College London
Imperial College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom, specialising in science, engineering, business and medicine...
, and the John F. Kennedy School of Government
John F. Kennedy School of Government
The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is a public policy and public administration school, and one of Harvard's graduate and professional schools...
at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
. He received his PhD from Linnaeus University
Linnaeus University
Linnaeus University is a public university in the Småland region of Sweden. It has two campuses, one in Växjö and one in Kalmar. Linnaeus University was established in 2010 by a merger of former Växjö University and Kalmar University College , and has been named in honour of Carl Linnaeus.-...
in Environmental Science
Environmental science
Environmental science is an interdisciplinary academic field that integrates physical and biological sciences, to the study of the environment, and the solution of environmental problems...
, where he undertook multidisciplinary research in sustainable tourism
Sustainable tourism
Sustainable tourism is tourism attempting to make a low impact on the environment and local culture, while helping to generate future employment for local people. The aim of sustainable tourism is to ensure that development brings a positive experience for local people, tourism companies and the...
.
Career
Payet had a 17 year career in the civil service, and eventually serving as Principal Secretary for Environment from 2003-2007. During that period he revolutionized environment management in Seychelles and on the international level. He was Seychelles chief negotiator for the Montreal ProtocolMontreal Protocol
The Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances believed to be responsible for ozone depletion...
, the Basel Convention
Basel Convention
The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, usually known simply as the Basel Convention, is an international treaty that was designed to reduce the movements of hazardous waste between nations, and specifically to prevent transfer of...
, and the UNFCCC. He was instrumental in addressing Small Island Developing States
Small Island Developing States
Small Island Developing States are low-lying coastal countries that tend to share similar sustainable development challenges, including small but growing populations, limited resources, remoteness, susceptibility to natural disasters, vulnerability to external shocks, excessive dependence on...
issues and in implementing appropriate strategies, institutions and capacity in Seychelles to address these emerging global environmental issues.
He was appointed President & Vice-Chancellor of the University of Seychelles
University of Seychelles
Based in Seychelles, the University of Seychelles was established on the 17th September 2009. The University of Seychelles consist of approximately 175 students...
in October 2009.
He is also Special Advisor to the President of the Republic of Seychelles, Mr James Michel
James Michel
Colonel James Alix Michel is a Seychellois politician who has been President of Seychelles since April 16, 2004. He previously served as Vice-President under his predecessor, France-Albert René, from 1996 to 2004...
, since 2007. In that role he independently advises the President on numerous environmental matters including sustainable development, biodiversity, climate change, energy, and international environment policy.
Rolph Payet is founding member/trustee of the Global Island Partnership, the Sea Level Rise Foundation, the Seychelles University Foundation, the Seychelles Centre for Marine Research and Technology, the Island Conservation Society and the Silhouette Foundation. Dr Payet has also been instrumental in increasing the visibility and impact of numerous regional and international organisations such as the International Coral Reef Initiative (co-chair from 2003–2005), the Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts and Islands, and the Interim Coordinator of the Nairobi Convention UNEP Regional Seas Programme.
Recently, Rolph has been invited to sit on numerous international conference committees and panels, and as moderator/speaker on climate change, biodiversity and island issues. Rolph is periodically invited by the Secretary General of the UN, Ban Ki Moon, to speak at various UN forums, including the UN General Assembly. His work has also been covered by the international media, such as CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
and the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
.
Rolph is an elected Central Committee Member of Parti Lepep and has been active in the social and political life of his party.
Honors and Contributions
Rolph has received numerous international awards and recognition for his work on islands, climate change and biodiversity.Rolph is known for his ability to bring together the various disciplines - natural science, economics and business - to innovate solutions for environmental problems. He research in sustainable tourism and climate change continue to benefit numerous tourism developments in Seychelles and elsewhere.Rolph is lead author with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is a scientific intergovernmental body which provides comprehensive assessments of current scientific, technical and socio-economic information worldwide about the risk of climate change caused by human activity, its potential environmental and...
and was involved with the Third and Fourth Assessment Reports. As an IPCC Lead Author, he became the first Seychellois to share in the award of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize
2007 Nobel Peace Prize
The 2007 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and Al Gore "for their efforts to build up and disseminate greater knowledge about man-made climate change, and to lay the foundations for the measures that are needed to counteract such change"....
.
Rolph has published numerous peer-reviewed papers, book chapters and one book.
In 2007, he was elected Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society
Royal Geographical Society
The Royal Geographical Society is a British learned society founded in 1830 for the advancement of geographical sciences...
for his contributions to marine research.
In January 2007, Rolph was selected a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum
World Economic Forum
The World Economic Forum is a Swiss non-profit foundation, based in Cologny, Geneva, best known for its annual meeting in Davos, a mountain resort in Graubünden, in the eastern Alps region of Switzerland....
.