(Seychelles News Agency) - Seychelles is participating for the first time in the Miss University Africa pageant taking place in Nigeria end of November. 

Falaine Dora, 18, who took part in the Miss Seychelles Another World beauty pageant, will be competing against 53 contestants from the African continent and Indian Ocean islands. The winner of the pageant will receive a full scholarship to any African university and $50,000.

Dora’s participation is being facilitated by Coral Models of Seychelles, which is owned by Joelle Fabre. The agency has in the past, sent young women from the island nation to the Miss Intercontinental and the top model of the world beauty pageants.

Fabre, who has also been appointed a director for Miss University Africa for Seychelles, said, “Falaine is a young woman who has a passion for the environment including the ocean, and she is also keen on the conservation and protection of the environment.”

She added that Dora has also completed her studies at the Maritime Training Center and that this “is a good opportunity for her to get the exposure and showcase the intelligence and elegance of African women.”

Contrary to other beauty contests, this pageant puts emphasis on intelligence and education rather than on the looks of the contestant. 

Founded in 2010, Miss University Africa is a non-bikini pageant committed to promoting and celebrating the beauty and innate potentials of female students on the African continent. Its overall goal is to discover intelligent young women, unify university students, youths in Africa and promote African culture. Last year’s winner was Miss Kenya.

The pageant also provides the winner with a platform, through the Miss University Africa Foundation, to discuss issues of vital social importance and find lasting solutions, reach out to the less privileged and provide assistance.

As part of her preparation, Dora will be meeting with representatives of different educational institutions including the Minister for education, Minister Joel Morgan.

Fabre said, “She will need to also meet with young people especially students, to know more about the issues pertaining to education, this will give her a better perception as well as preparing her for the actual pageant.”

Dora, a resident of Les Mamelles, a central district on the main island of Mahe, said she is excited and her preparation is going well and that she is getting grooming session with Fabre.

Dora has a passion for the environment including the ocean, and also keen on the conservation and protection of the environment. (Michele Risoli photography, Facebook) Photo License: All Rights Reserved

“I am also doing some photo shoots mostly outside in the environment as well as working on introduction videos. I am also brushing up on my project, which I presented at the Miss Seychelles contest and which I will bring to the Miss University Africa pageant," Dora said  

Dora’s project ‘Away with plastic waste’ is one where the young woman is promoting alternatives for plastic products, crucial in Seychelles, a group of 115 islands in the western Indian Ocean, now that a ban on plastic bags is in force in the country.

“I am also busy working on my costume, which has to represent the Seychelles. I have a design in mind and will be getting a local seamstress, to put the outfit together” said Dora.

Dora accompanied by Fabre and a camera operator is expected to leave Seychelles November 19 and return December 2nd.