The government aims to continue strengthening essential services equitably across both islands, Prime Minister Robert Abela said.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Robert Abela carried out a number of visits in Gozo, covering various fields and sectors, including education and skills, emergency services, culture and art, as well as enterprise.
During an official visit to the MCAST campus in Gozo, the Prime Minister met with the administration and spoke with several students pursuing their post-secondary studies there. Many students expressed their appreciation for the increase in stipends, stating that this had been a great help to them, the government said in a statement.
"At the same time, they emphasized the importance of using artificial intelligence (AI) as a needed tool in their studies. They also reiterated their appreciation for the Budget measure that will lead to the provision of free training and subscriptions for the use of AI.
MCAST in Gozo currently welcomes 218 full-time students and 42 part-time students. This educational institution offers more than 20 full-time courses across various vocational fields, including information technology, 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 2 to Level 6, that is up to bachelor's degree level. The Prime Minister stated that vocational education remains a crucial pillar for the Government, enabling young people and adults to acquire skills that lead to quality jobs and concrete opportunities.
Prime Minister Abela also visited the Civil Protection Department in Gozo. There, Abela met with the employees and volunteers within the Department and thanked them for their essential work. Civil Protection plays a central role in risk management and public safety. Through prevention, preparedness, and necessary interventions, it provides services of a quality equivalent to those in Malta, the government said.
In Gozo, Civil Protection works closely with Local Government and the community to inform residents about safety, and organizes training and simulations to ensure effective and coordinated action in the event of emergencies.
The Government said it continues to invest in the necessary infrastructure so that this essential service can also plan for tomorrow's needs, including through the construction of a new fire station. Over the past two years, Civil Protection in Gozo has invested in two small wildfire vehicles, as well as another vehicle from among those announced recently. The Prime Minister stated that this service model in Gozo is an example of how the Government aims to continue strengthening essential services equitably across both islands.
Abela also had the opportunity to meet four Gozitan artists who designed four new monuments as part of the Public Art Scheme. The Prime Minister viewed the four artistic works that will be installed in the coming months, created by artists Christopher Saliba, Austin Camilleri, Vince Caruana, and Mario Agius.
The Prime Minister concluded his day in Gozo with a visit to Tal-Massar Winery in Għarb - a family-run enterprise with a long history and tradition in wine production in Gozo. During this visit, the Prime Minister met with the company's management, where it was explained that the business is now being run by the third generation of the family.