The Nationalist Party’s vision for the future will mean that by 2015 the MCAST will have a new campus, as will the junior college, while the university will become a centre of regional educational excellence, the Prime Minister said, referring also to international interest in Malta’s educational sector, such as by the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland.

Lawrence Gonzi was speaking at a meeting with young people in the National Youth Commission. The PN’s aim, he said, was for Malta to be among the leaders in information technology, financial services, manufacturing services, health, education, and tourism. The contribution of young people in this was crucial, he added, because it would be today’s young people who would benefit.

Dr Gonzi spoke about the same themes when he met representatives of the Federation of Maltese Associations of the Professions (MFPA). The dialogue and consultation which the government had followed in office would continue in the Nationalist Party’s formulation of its electoral programme, he said.

MFPA president Ben Rizzo spoke about the federation’s activities at both national and international levels.

And at a meeting with the Chamber of Pharmacists, Dr Gonzi spoke about the health sector, saying this was a major pillar for the PN in its 2015 vision.

That vision included the Pharmacy of Your Choice Scheme, the Mater Dei Hospital, oncology services and rehabilitation.

An important aim was the introduction of electronic identity cards, which would help refine the health system and services to patients, he said.

Chamber president Mary Ann Sant Fournier said the chamber was happy that the PN was now focussing more strongly on the primary care sector. Pharmacists were eager to work within the Pharmacy of Your Choice Scheme.