The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Surrey in England on the establishment of joint activities and areas of possible operation.

The MoU was signed by Sierra Leone’s Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu Pratt and Professor G.Q. Max Lu, President and Vice Chancellor, for and on behalf of the University of Surrey.

The MoU covers the collaboration in training provision for MTCA and National Tourist Board Personnel aiming to build the capacity of these public sector leaders and managers and address their training needs, collaboration in training provision for tourism, hospitality and event professionals and educators in Sierra Leone, collaboration in curriculum development for higher education in tourism, hospitality and event management, research collaboration including joint research projects, joint organisation of research workshops and facilitation of staff exchange and short visits.

Prior to the signing of the MoU, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu Pratt gave a public lecture on “Tourism Development in Sierra Leone in time of recovery”.

She explained how they are using tourism to solving the fundamental problems of Sierra Leone which she said was manifested in the conviction of President Bio to make tourism one of the growth sectors of Sierra Leone. She mentioned the many strides the sector has embarked on in marketing the destination and inviting more people to visit Sierra Leone.

The Minister, Dr. Pratt, the Permanent Secretary, Edward Kwame Yankson and the Director of Tourism, Mohamed Jalloh are in UK to explore opportunities for collaboration and get a first-hand experience of Surrey’s strengths in tourism and hospitality education and research.