The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs recently organised competitions to mark World Tourism Day, bringing together university and secondary school students to test their knowledge and understanding of tourism, technology, and national development. The theme of this year's celebration was "Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism." The competitions aimed to assess the critical thinking and knowledge of the participants.
Fourah Bay College (FBC) emerged as the winner of the collegiate debate competition, successfully defending the motion, "This House Believes That Technology Must Serve Humanity, Not Replace It." Milton Margai Technical University (MMTU) placed second, while the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM) finished third. The debates showcased the critical thinking and knowledge of the university students.
In the inter-senior secondary schools quiz competition, Annie Walsh Memorial School emerged as the champion, followed by Sierra Leone Grammar School and St. Joseph's Convent in second and third places respectively. Other participating schools included Excel Academy, Prince of Wales School, Bishop Johnson Memorial School, and Freetown Secondary School for Girls. The quiz competition tested the knowledge of secondary school students on tourism and related topics.
The Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Nabeela Farida Tunis, commended the participating students, schools, universities, teachers, and partners for their involvement in the competitions. She highlighted the importance of digital innovation and artificial intelligence in strengthening Sierra Leone's tourism sector. The minister's remarks underscored the significance of the competitions in promoting tourism and technological advancements.
The ceremony marking the end of the competitions included the presentation of certificates and consolation prizes to 15 contestants and their representative teachers. The event brought together students, teachers, and stakeholders from the education and tourism sectors. The presentation of prizes and certificates recognised the achievements of the winners and participants.
The competitions organised by the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs reflect the government's efforts to promote tourism, technology, and national development in Sierra Leone. By engaging university and secondary school students, the ministry aims to raise awareness about the importance of tourism and digital innovation in the country's development. The events also provided a platform for students to showcase their knowledge and critical thinking skills.
The success of FBC and Annie Walsh Memorial School in the competitions demonstrates the strong potential for human capital development in Sierra Leone's education sector. The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs' initiative to engage students in debates and quizzes on tourism and technology is a step towards building a more informed and skilled workforce for the country's future development.
Key points
- Fourah Bay College won the collegiate debate competition.
- Annie Walsh Memorial School emerged as the champion of the inter-senior secondary schools quiz competition.
- The competitions were organised by the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs to mark World Tourism Day.
