Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to China, Mr. Ernest Ndomahina who also chaired the event, stated that he was honored to be part of the visiting delegation because he was a former student of the college and also delighted to push President Maada Bio’s vision for free quality education which is the New Direction’s top agenda, reiterated Government’s agenda to advance the education sector to higher heights and assured that the President is very passionate about education.
He also recalled six months ago when he visited the Goderich campus of the college that has now been transformed for which he is impressed and applauded the Principal for a job well done to facelift the college.
Dr. Philip John Kanu, Principal of MMCET articulated that he is happy for the calibre of people present at the ceremony and extended warm felicitations to the Chinese Ambassador for his first visit to the college as well as the Minister of Higher Education recalling the Minister’s recent visit to the college during which he promised the Minister that by his next visit he would see a new MMCET.
The Principal further disclosed that the college is undergoing extensive renovation as the student hostels and toilets are currently being renovated, commended the Minister of Higher Education for his timely intervention, asserted that China has helped immensely to develop the country cited the award of scholarships, the health sector, trade/commerce and infrastructural development revealing that the college has 6 members of staff who are PHD holders, all products of China, including himself highlighting that other staff members are currently studying in China and commended the Chinese Government for its invaluable support to the college and country.
Dr. Philip John Kanu continued that the college trains students for the middle-level manpower needs of the country as graduates from the college are found in almost all areas in the country but lamented that the institution is in dire need of support in the areas of medical facilities for both staff and students, internet connectivity, renovation of hostels and staff quarters, improvement of internet facility at the Goderich and the other two campuses, capacity building for lecturers in Information, Communication Technology (ICT), scholarships for lecturers to pursue Masters and PHD degrees and computer laboratory for students to access information.
Professor AiahGbakima, Minister of Higher Education admonished the students to be committed to their studies underscoring that as they decided to attend the MMCET they must abide by all the college’s rules and regulations intimating that the Ministry is working very hard for the college to get a functional health centre noting that he is aware that transportation is also a major challenge for the college and promised to talk to the Minister of Transport and NASSIT if they could be of help.
He also warned the college’s administration to frown at examination malpractices and sexual harassment affirming that anyone caught would be severely dealt.
