ITTOG Graduates 100 Students In Tourism&Travel Courses
The Institution of Travel and Tourism of The Gambia on Saturday graduated one hundred students in tourism and travel courses in a ceremony held at the West African Insurance Institute in Kololi.
The 2023 grandaunts offered an intermediate Diploma in Travel and Tourism (level 2), Cookery and Pastry, and Cabin Crew and Airport Operation among others.
This event marked the fifteenth since its establishment. The graduation witnessed many people been awarded for their hard work in the tourism industry. Outstanding students such as the most hard-working students in various categories, most discipline students, and best students in various subjects were also awarded.
In his remarks, Sheikh Tijan Nyang, the Principal of ITTOG commended participants and sponsors for their support, adding that the institution has touched the lives of many people who passed through the institution.
He took the opportunity to applaud all national and international bodies that supported the institution since its inception and Gambians who laid the foundation of the institution.
Nyang congratulated the grandaunts for what he called milestone achievements in their educational careers. He advised them to work harder to attain their various goals in life, but noted that the achievement the students made is just a step to live.
He lamented the challenges the institution is facing, saying the school faced financial constraints because some students have arrears. “Our school building that has been in suspense for over 4 years now is still not completed due to lacked funds,” he added.
He said the school lacked sufficient resources to provide lucrative salaries for its staff. This, he said enable two teachers to leave for greener pastures.
Dr. Adama Bah, Chairman Board of Directors for ITTOG said the institution aims to produce the high caliber of professionals who will contribute to building a better tourism industry for The Gambia.
“We must learn about how we can use tourism and not allow tourism to use us. Learn what it means to make our destination Gambia a better place to live in and a better place for others to visit,” Dr. Bah, who is an international tourism consultant said.
He further advised the students to work closely with their friends, and parents to attain their respective goals, while he urged them to work harder and avoid selfishness.
Malleh Sallah, Guest Speaker of the event advised the young ones to learn from the country’s pioneers to ensure they attain the sustainable goal.He said for one to succeed in the tourism industry and in any other field, the person must respect time and work harder.
“We have to respect the time and our work for the country to excel,” Malleh, a key tourism investor told the graduates.
The investor noted that there is a need for all and sundry to understand and practice the ethic of work as well as work harder.
“Many are saying the country is hard, but there are opportunities. However, one has to search for the opportunity to tap them,” he told the gathering. Delivering the vote of thanks, FatoumattaDrammeh applauded the management of the institution for the support they render to the students.
