Endorsement of agreement for collaboration made between the Institute of Tourism Studies (ITS) and Haage Helia University of Applied Sciences, Finland.
During the occasion of the signing of the collaboration agreement between ITS and Haage Helia University of Applied Sciences, Finland, the Ministry for Tourism Edward Zammit Lewis stated that in line with the principal objective of transforming the Institute into a centre of excellence in vocational education and training within the tourism and hospitality sector, required investments in human capital are essential.
"Malta's tourism competitiveness can only be sustained if growth is accompanied by the development of, and investment in, our human resources," he said.
To this end, the Minister stated that, "we have been engaging all related stakeholders to secure their commitment towards measures designed to enhance the working conditions and the professional quality of the tourism workforce."
"While considerations such as employment generation and remuneration rates will be at the top of our agenda, we are also stressing on the 'softer' aspects, such as career development, entry qualifications and continuous personal development. This will allow us to bridge the gap between the mentality of just having a job in tourism, and the delivery of excellence in hospitality by those who believe that this sector offers them a professional career," the Minister continued.
The role of the Institute for Tourism Studies will continue to remain critical towards achieving these objectives. The Minister declared that the Institute must grow and develop further, both in terms of academic excellence and in the number of students who choose tourism as their career.
Minister Zammit Lewis stated that the Institute needs to continue developing the professional capital of ITS academic staff through up-skilling initiatives.
Therefore, a Masters degree in Hospitality Management has been developed in conjunction with the Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, Finland aimed at the academic staff that already has significant work experience and practical knowledge within their respective fields of work. A total of nineteen lecturers at ITS have already signed up to participate on this project.
The specific objectives of upgrading the level of academic staff at ITS are to:
– Ensure compliance with European Quality Assurance Standards in relation to quality of teaching and learning
– Develop curriculum programmes at a degree level (MQF Level 6)
– Implement, manage and review degree level programmes in the near future,
– Being able to equip existing and future workforce within the domain of tourism and hospitality with appropriate competencies and underpinning knowledge
The Haage Helia University of Applied Science is part of the Finnish public educational system and provides education for professionals in business and services. The Haaga Campus focuses on the hotel, restaurant and tourism fields.
The degree programmes by Haaga Helia provide good premises for working in management and supervisory positions. As an international university of applied sciences, Haaga Helia has over 200 partner universities throughout the world.
The Minister also stated that recently a Technical Committee within ITS comprising different tourism stakeholders was established and tasked with identifying existing skills gaps within the industry; gaps which can then be addressed through appropriate and targeted training courses delivered by ITS.
Furthermore, last year saw the launch of the first ITS syllabus which went through a comprehensive and rigorous Quality Assurance Process. "We have also made ITS courses available to tourism full-time employees who are seeking industry-related qualifications," the Minister added.
Meanwhile, in another landmark development, and in conjunction with the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA), a sponsorship scheme was announced through which ITS students are being offered career paths through sponsorships from early stages of their studies by the local industry within the sector, continued the Minister. "The Government is committed on the new state of the art ITS campus of 56 million euro to enhance the hospitality sector."
The Minister for Tourism thanked the board of ITS for their utmost commitment and hard work towards the continued development of the hospitality sector.
In his intervention, MUT President Kevin Bonello stated that the MUT hails this agreement as a milestone in vocational education in Malta, a milestone which will be a long step forward in outing ITS on the international map of serious vocational institutions.
This agreement is a long sought after result which follows the foundations laid in collective bargaining and excellent professional relationship between ITS and the MUT.
The Union's President congratulated the new ITS management for making this possibility come true in an effective and efficient manner and looks forward to continuing its excellent relationship with the Institution for the advancement of lecturers, students and the country.
Photograph: DOI/Reuben Piscopo