The Minister for Gozo, Giovanna Debono, recently visited The University of Malta, Gozo Campus, at Ghajnsielem, to meet with students on a three year undergraduate course for a Bachelor of Commerce. The Minister said how this new course was one of the projects proposed by the Ministry for Gozo to benefit from co-financing of EU funds frin the 2007-2013 programme, aiming to address the discrepancy in skills needed in the labour market in Gozo. These courses have been allocated more than € 230,000 of which 85% will come from the European Social Fund and 15% will be co-financed by national funds.
The Minister for Gozo met with the 28 participants who are attending the course in Gozo, including 16 students in possession of the Diploma in Commerce, from the course that was held last year. Many of those who are taking the Bachelor of Commerce course are men and women who are already employed and are looking to increase their qualificataions. Others wish to use it to achieve a better position of employment. Many of the students said that they would not have been able to take the course had it not been for the fact that is had been organised in Gozo.
During this visit, The Minister for Gozo, Giovanna Debono, was accompanied by the Director of the Campus, Professor Lino Briguglio. The Professor explained how as well as the Bachelor of Commerce course, which is co-financed by the European Social Fund, there are other courses including those leading to the MBA (Executive), together with others for a Master in Translation and Master of Arts in Islands and Small States Studies .
The Gozo Minister said that the Ministry for Gozo gives priority to the educational services in Gozo. “This not only concerns young students but also as regards the promotion of lifelong learning, thereby continuing to improve the quality and skills of human resources in Gozo,” The Minister concluded.
The University of Malta – Gozo Campus, (formerly known as the University of Malta Gozo Centre), was set up in 1992 with the aim of assisting in the logistical aspects of degree and diploma courses which are from time to time offered in Gozo by the University of Malta.
The Campus also offers its own short term courses and caters for the needs of Gozitan students following courses in Malta and in Gozo. The Campus organises social and cultural activities for the general public. The building where the Campus is housed was originally constructed in the mid 19th Century. It was transformed into a University establishment , retaining its original structure, with the support of the Ministry for Gozo and inaugurated as a University Centre by the Prime Minister in May 1996.