How can one regenerate a dying island and its ageing population? In my humble opinion, the answer lies in youth. Otherwise, the future will be bleak if at all.
Gozo should have a fully-fledged University
Gozo has an aged population. Out of 31,000 inhabitants, 28,000 are eligible for voting.
Thus, Gozo only has 3,000 people aged under 18.
One must also bear in mind the fact that most of the young members of the Gozitan population are either working or studying in Malta on weekdays. This figure is estimated to be in the region of 1,500 workers and 1,200 students.
The bottom line is that, throughout the week, Gozo resembles an old people’s home.
So what can be done to find a long-term solution that is not only desirable but has in fact become a must?
The answer is very logical: invest in youth. Youths generate energy, life and innovative ideas.
The Government’s agenda for Gozo includes investment in a new University that will focus on medical studies, catering for both local and foreign students. This initiative can easily be extended in scope in order to have a full-time University in Gozo offering a holistic tertiary education programme. This will, in turn, have a positive spin-off effect as follows:
a) job opportunities for those who want to teach in Gozo;
b) enticing more Gozitan students to take up tertiary education;
c) encourage more youth activity in Gozo, which is diminishing;
d) openings for foreign students to enlist;
e) boost commerce and entertainment;
f) a tourist niche market that is so badly needed;
g) a financial inflow through business; and
h) encourage the mix of local and foreign youths.
There is need for a robust infrastructure to handle all those who are interested in taking up a full-time teaching job in a University in Gozo. These can be given scholarships to widen their academic qualifications and, so, be able to serve as full time professors or lecturers in the future. Such a step will allow several targets to be reached in the future in terms of having a Gozo University.
The table shows the Gozitan students attending University courses in Malta.
There are also another 125 students attending other courses at the University.
A total of 152 students are attending tertiary courses in Gozo. Over 100 students had applied to join a management and administration call but only 42 were selected.
So far, only part-time diploma courses have been held at the University Gozo campus and this against payment, running into hundreds of euros every three months. In contrast, on the mainland one can follow such courses free of charge because they are held on a full-time basis.
Gozitan students are at a disadvantage in every aspect.
I also believe that if tertiary education is offered in Gozo many more students will be enticed to attend. This for the simple reason that many youths are not willing to spend years separated from their families and their own environment.
Also, at present, in Gozo specific research studies are being conducted on the University campus and at the Experimental Farm. These are opening new opportunities for doctorates in different specialisations.
Thus, I feel that a call should be made for those interested in attaining higher academic qualifications to be able to teach in Gozo itself.
A decision needs to be made to set the minimum number of students there should be in certain classes and what subjects should be offered. An effort must be made to lure foreign students to take up University studies in Gozo.
Maltese students should have the possibility of attending lectures/modules at Gozo University on certain occasions.
Where possible, lectures can occasionally be given via video conferencing.
As said earlier, the present Administration has made an electoral pledge to introduce medical studies in Gozo. Is it possible to kill two birds with one stone?
I have always argued that the central Administration lacked the political will, vision and drive to implement robust and beneficial projects for Gozo. Politicians do tend to visit Gozo prior to elections but, then, it’s a matter of far from sight far from heart.
I believe Gozo will be a political battleground for the parties in the next elections.
This is good and promises a better future for Gozitans. Maybe, after so many years lagging behind in terms of GDP and major projects, the time has come for things to change.
I am saying this from experience. As Gozo Channel chairman I had to battle for years to implement a 24-hour service. When I did, everybody came on board. Gozo benefited hugely from this service.
Now it’s time to consider another important step to make another significant achievement: tertiary education in Gozo.
Faculty of Arts - 111
Faculty for the Built Environment - 26
Faculty of Dental Surgery - 6
Faculty of Economics-Accountancy-Management - 114
Faculty of Education - 141
Faculty of Engineering - 46
Faculty of Health Science - 141
Faculty of Information & Communication Technology - 26
Faculty of Laws - 78
Faculty of Media & Knowledge Sciences - 9
Faculty of Medicine & Surgery - 50
Faculty of Science - 46
Faculty of Theology - 14