ITS campus at concept stage

A new Institute of Tourism Studies campus is in the “concept stage” and alternative locations in the area between St Julians and Pembroke, were the building now lies, should be decided upon in the coming days.

An example of the intimate tie between education and work

The premises would be adapted to suit changing needs, including more facilities and a residence for foreigners, who account for about six per cent of the student population, which, it is hoped, would increase further.

The Foundation for Tomorrow’s Schools, which is leading the project, said the policy was for any development to be completed within two-and-a-half years from permit approval.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi visited the institute, which saw a 35 per cent increase in the number of students last year, yesterday.

He described it as “an example of the intimate tie between education and work”.

There was no chance the tourism sector would move ahead without investment in education, he said, mentioning strategic decisions that “empower this message”.

Apart from the new premises, which was a case of “putting our money where our mouth is”, ITS had also become an autonomous entity by virtue of a recent legal notice.

This included a clause that lecturers and staff could be fined up to €2,500 and end up in jail if they disclosed internal matters but the “clear mistake” was being immediately reversed, Dr Gonzi said.

He explained that, with the aim of rushing the legal notice through to implement change quickly, it was based on another model and the clause was transposed from one to the other.

The education authorities had received complaints on the controversial provision, especially from staff members, who perceived it as an attempt to muzzle them.

Forum Unions Maltin welcomed the removal of article 28 from the Education Act, saying the “anti-democratic and abusive clause” had shocked all unions. It asked who was responsible for allowing the said provision to become part of the regulations.

ITS offers nine higher national diplomas, targeting various areas of specialisation. Since October, it also had a gym for students studying sports tourism and active leisure, said its executive director, Adrian Mamo.

Fourth-year students mounted an exhibition on anything from the promotion of agri- to nautical and motor disability tourism.

The Prime Minister was accompanied by Education Minister Dolores Cristina, ITS chairman Claire Zammit Xuereb and FTS general manager Charles Farrugia.