The History

Adama Bah and Helen Wilcockson have worked together now for over 10 years, on website projects for the Gambia Tourism Concern and ASSET. Adama has contributed immensely to the visits that South Nottingham College have made to the Gambia with their students, organising conferences and trips through the ground operators.

The UK Scholarships

In 2004 a scholarship programme was developed between South Nottingham College and ITTOG. This was to allow our Gambian students the opportunity to come and study Travel and Tourism at South Nottingham College. The students study the BTEC Level 3 Travel and Tourism course enabling them to gain an understanding of the key aspects and developments in the tourism industry. Every year the 2 best Gambian students are chosen based on a variety of factors including commitment, dedication, motivation as well as knowledge, punctuality and attendance. The students upon arriving at South Nottingham College also undertake the teacher training qualifications as to return to the Gambia upon completion to either work in ITTOG or in the Gambian tourism industry.

How was ITTOG set up?

When Lamin Bojang and Miamuna Jatta were deciding upon returning to The Gambia it seemed a shame that all the knowledge they had learnt and these new teaching styles could not be utilised. Therefore a meeting between Adama Bah and Helen Wilcockson resulted in the concept of BTT (Building Tomorrow Today) Now better known as ITTOG - The Institute of Travel and Tourism of the Gambia. The Lecturers were ready, a building was needed and found perfect for the onset of the project. However a Principal was needed. Adama spoke to Mr Tejan Nyang who had been responsible for coordinating the Gambia Tourism Masterplan and who had worked in tourism in The Gambia for many years. Tejan then took the position of principal giving the team the final piece it needed.

Finance was supposed to come from a donor to kickstart the college, however the donor dropped out last minute and very luckily South Nottingham College stepped in to help run the college financially as well as in terms of quality.

The students in ITTOG are charged a fee but it’s a non profit organisation and the fees help towards the resources and utility bills etc.

In year 2 we introduced a Higher Professional diploma and needed another lecturer and we employed Alhagie Bojang a former school teacher whom had been recommended by Sheena his lecturer from his HND in travel and tourism. Training was also given to one of the first graduating ITTOG students Francis Gomez whom had already got a HND in Travel and Tourism but because of the reputation of the staff involved in ITTOG he had decided to undertake the level 3. Francis spent 5 months at South Nottingham college undertaking training. There is also a very good librarian NyaNya who looks after the very extensive travel and tourism library the best in The Gambia.

South Nottingham College also funded an IT suite in 2009 for the students to undertake their research and produce their documents. This has been much appreciated by the ITTOG students. We also have 2 very good volunteers Paul Gomez and Bakary Mannah whom are both ex students but may take the route of lecturing one day.

Last year the vice principle John Gray from South Nottingham College visited the school and was very impressed with the concept and is therefore supporting the school until it becomes self sufficient and sustainable. There has also been many visits from South Nottingham College Managers including Dawn Stewart, Adam Beazley, Vickie Tring and Diane Garfield all of whom been excited and impressed with the operations of the college.

Mission Statement

To provide a successful learning environment, that is inclusive, promotes equal opportunities and offers practical and theoretical elements to meet the specific needs of the local tourism industry.

Objectives

To ensure the college is managed and operated in a sustainable manner To facilitate links between the local professional tourist industry and the course in terms of mentoring and sponsorship To operate professional, interesting and appropriate courses for the Gambian tourism industry.

How does the college contribute to the development of the Gambia?

• The Institute is contributing to fill the human resources capacity in the tourism industry that never existed.
• The school is assisting government in training the service personnel such as Police, Airport Security , Immigration , National Intelligence Agency , Customs among other on customer care.
• The school played a leading role in the training of tourist guides.
• The school together with ASSET engaged in a series of tree planting exercise as part of there environmental programme.