ITS signs collaboration agreement with Finnish university

The Institute of Tourism Studies and Haage Helia University of Applied Sciences in Finland have signed an agreement of collaboration.

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.

Tourism minister Edward Zammit Lewis said that to achieve the principal objective of transforming ITS into a centre of excellence in vocational education and training within the tourism and hospitality sector, required investments in human capital are essential.

Zammit Lewis said, “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”, he continued.

Zammit Lewis stated that the Institute needs to continue developing the professional capital of ITS academic staff through up-skilling initiatives. To this end, 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.

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.

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 significant step forward in putting ITS on the international map of serious vocational institutions.