On Thursday, Prime Minister Robert Abela made a number of visits to Gozo that touched on various areas and sectors, including education and skills, emergency services, culture and public art, as well as enterprise.
During an official visit to the MCAST campus in Gozo, the Prime Minister met with the administration and spoke to several students who are pursuing their post-secondary studies there. Many students expressed their appreciation for the increase in stipends and claimed that this was of great help to them. This while emphasizing the importance of using artificial intelligence (AI) as a necessary tool in their studies. At the same time, they reiterated their appreciation for the Budget measure that will lead to the provision of free training and subscription for the use of AI.
MCAST in Gozo currently hosts 218 full-time and 42 part-time students. This educational institution offers more than 20 full-time courses in several vocational fields, including IT, business and commerce, engineering, social care, health sciences and hairdressing courses. The courses are offered at different levels of the national qualifications framework, from level two to level six, that is, up to the bachelor’s level. The Prime Minister stated that vocational education remains a crucial pillar for the Government so that young people and adults acquire skills that lead to quality jobs and concrete opportunities.
Prime Minister Abela also visited the Civil Protection Department in Gozo. Here, Dr Abela met with the workers and volunteers within the Department and thanked them for their essential work. The Civil Protection plays a central role in risk management and public protection. Through prevention, preparedness and necessary interventions, it offers services of a quality equivalent to those in Malta.
In Gozo, the Civil Protection works closely with the Local Government and the community to inform residents about safety, and organizes training and simulations to ensure effective and coordinated work in the event of emergencies. The Government is continuing to invest in the necessary infrastructure so that this essential service can also begin to plan for tomorrow’s needs, including through the construction of a new fire station.
In the last two years, the Civil Protection in Gozo has invested in two small wildfire vehicles, as well as in another vehicle from among those recently announced. The Prime Minister stated that this service model in Gozo is an example of how the Government wants to continue to strengthen essential services in an equitable manner on both islands.
Dr Abela also had the opportunity to meet four Gozitan artists who have designed four new monuments as part of the Public Art Scheme. The Prime Minister had the opportunity to see the four artistic works that will be installed over the coming months by Artists Christopher Saliba, Austin Camilleri, Vince Caruana and Mario Agius.
The Prime Minister ended the day in Gozo with a visit to Tal-Massar Winery in Għarb – a family enterprise that embraces a long history and tradition in the field of wine production in Gozo. During this visit, the Prime Minister met with the management of this company, where it was explained how today it is the third generation of the family that is managing this enterprise. The Prime Minister praised this work which, with wisdom and vision, is bringing together agriculture, quality, local produce and the tourist element.
Tal-Massar Winery produces a range of different wine varieties and continues to contribute to maintaining Gozo’s agricultural and cultural identity. Finally, the Prime Minister referred to the Government’s work to continue strengthening Gozo’s potential with concrete actions that bring added value and new opportunities for the community.
Photos: OPM
