Education minister Dr. Minkailu Bah has signed MOU with George Mason University in America paving the way for the construction of four community colleges in Lunsar, Makeni, Kono and Pujehun plus the establishment of 46 vocational institutions.

President Ernest Bail Koroma recalled when the delegation from the university visited the country earlier this year he made a commitment to provide the land for the proposed institutions.

"This would greatly help in the development of Sierra Leone's human stock," he said.

Koroma lauded the university staff and students while looking forward to welcoming them in the country soon.

Principal international center for arts culture and education in the college of visual and performing arts of the university Gail Kettlewell said they were creating a system of international community college town centres, ICCTC in Sierra Leone.

"As Mason is the first university to be using the ICCTC model to develop a community college system, I am very excited to be part of this project," Kettlewell said.

He said his goal was to help the government of Sierra Leone build the system, hire personnel and develop degree programmes.

Dr. Alusine Kanu, a Sierra Leonean who studied at George Mason and earned his bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees and is now a lecturer there, was hailed as the visionary who pioneered the idea.

Meanwhile, President and entourage attended the All Peoples Congress North America branch's black-tie dinner and dance at Hampton conference hall, Capitol Heights, Maryland.

The event was organized to raise funds for the Kissy mental home.