By Ibrahim Joenal Sesay
FREETOWN, Aug. 6 (232News) – The Faculty of Hotel, Tourism and Nutritional Sciences of the Milton Margai Technical College (MMTU), Brookfields Campus, on Friday 30th July 2021 organized its Faculty Day at its Brookields Campus in Freetown.
The Faculty Day was organized under the project titled: Training Students in Tourism, Hotel and Innovative Management under the Skills Development Fund project supported by the World Bank and the Government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Education.
The chairman of the event and Coordinator of Short Courses and External Relations, MMTU, Papa Njai revealed that with the ongoing rehabilitation work they would soon have a brand new campus for which they are excited, that the Faculty Day would be bigger next year and assured all that the food, drinks, fruits, bags, jewelleries, sandals, brochures, souvenirs, floor and table mats and other items prepared are of international standard as they have quality lecturers who deliver.
He also underlined that only 20% theoretical work is done with the rest practical as they stress on hands on training, creativity and entrepreneurship to develop world-class craftsmen and women.
In her welcome statement, the Dean of the Bookfields Campus, Mrs. Alima Jumu disclosed that they are receiving frequent visitors of late, that the Faculty Day is unique as it indicates that they are ready for the University Status and that the event would make them more energized due to the immense support they are receiving from the administration.
The Dean of the Faculty of Hotel, Tourism and Nutritional Sciences, Aminata Bangura underscored that the event is to display research, innovation as well as the skills of students and what they have learnt, that the project is part of the Skills Development Project that affords students the opportunity to display their talents and skills as well as interact with the public to highlight their innovative research group work underscoring that they train students to be job seekers and not job creators in addition to training them to be independent, observe and do follow-ups guaranteeing visitors to the campus that they would experience hospitality at its best
The Director of Research and Coordinator of the SDF Project, Alhaji Dr. Sankoh disclosed that the government of Sierra Leone received a grant from the World Bank for the project that is funded by the Ministry of Education with MMTU as the implementing partner informing that they have identified gaps in the country’s middle-level manpower needs to make the training of students outstanding with the vision to make Sierra Leone top in technical/vocational education.
The Vice Principal of MMCET, Dr. Mohamed Alie Jalloh said he is always proud to be at the Brookfields Campus, the Princess of the MMTU, that a lot of developments are taking place at the Brookfields Campus, that MMTU has come a long way assuring that they would make a difference to develop the country’s middle-level manpower needs of the president and reiterated that they are prepared to face the challenges.
According to Dr. Jalloh, the new Technical University is a time for reflection and stocktaking, that a team has been setup to map the way forward for the new status as they cannot afford to fail, that it would not be business as usual as they have taken the bold initiative to take MMTU to the people stressing that they would look at the passion and interest of prospective students reiterating that they would produce job creators and not job seekers.
He also commended the administration of the Bookfields Campus for the initiative.
A conducted tour of the facilities on display, drama performances, presentations by students on the History of the Cotton Tree and River Number 2 and presentation of certificates climaxed the Faculty Day while Mrs. Jeneba Jalloh rendered the vote of thanks.
Earlier, the MMTU Public Relations Officer, Elizabeth Sesay called the event to order with prayers.
