In a press conference held at the Institute of Tourism Studies (ITS) campus in Qala, Gozo, the Minister for Tourism and Consumer Protection and Minister for Gozo inaugurated premises within the same campus which will be used for the International School of Diving Safety and Medicine (ISDSM).
The ISDSM, which was launched in 2017, is a joint agreement between ITS and DAN Europe in collaboration with the Professional Diving Schools Association (PDSA) and aims at promoting a broad academic education programme by designing specific course curricula in the field of diving safety, research and medicine, focusing on the sustainability of the diving industry. In fact, through the ISDSM, a Bachelor of Science in Diving Safety Management was launched in 2020, with practical sessions being held within these ITS premises in Gozo.
ITS CEO, Pierre Fenech said that work on these premises have been ongoing for a year with nearly €60,000 being invested. These include diving safety equipment, some of which are unique on the Maltese islands.
Fenech also noted with satisfaction the interest being generated on the international sphere for this pioneer BSc in Diving Safety Management. In fact, on the day, a MoU was also signed with PADI Worldwide, which is the world leader in recreational scuba diving training, certification, safe diving practices, membership and related emergency response skills through development of standards and training and educational materials. This MoU was signed to establish valuable and productive relationship to advance academic studies and credentials in the diving industry, in particular through the management of Diving Tourism.
PADI Industry Relations & Training Executive, Mark Caney said that they are very pleased that PADI has been selected as the diver certification system to be awarded to students reading for the Bachelor of Science in Diving Safety Management, and given that PADI is the largest and best-known diver training organisation in the world, they are confident that they will be able to contribute to the graduates' success.
Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri said that "diving is an important source for the Gozitan economy and that is why there is a need to preserve and protect this industry while keeping it sustainable and innovative". The minister stated that the Maltese islands provide unique and wonderful diving experiences in the Mediterranean. Every year the number of tourists visiting Gozo and Malta specifically for scuba diving is increasing as well as tourists who decide to practise diving when visiting our islands. The Minister for Gozo concluded by saying that this course will continue to attract more people interested in diving to our islands.
Minister for Tourism and Consumer Protection Clayton Bartolo pointed out how this campus is another confirmation of how crucial the diving sector is to a sustainable tourism industry. "The diving sector is a great opportunity for our country to attract quality tourism. Certainly, this new campus and the provision of this course is taking us one step further to reach our vision to make Malta a centre of tourism excellence for years to come."
During the same inauguration ceremony, Minister Bartolo announced that during the coming weeks, diving centres will be contacted to be offered a free course on air quality in diving cylinders and compressors. These courses are possible thanks to the equipment invested in the ISDSM premises at the ITS campus in Gozo.