The Institute for Tourism Studies (ITS) in Qala, in collaboration with Eco-Gozo, has just launched a new programme on healthy practices and healthy eating for students attending the fourth year of secondary schools in Gozo.

In these sessions, which are held twice a week for different groups of student boys and girls, they are given information about the institute itself and the courses it offers, as well as good practices in health, particularly those related to personal and food hygiene.

The participants are also given the opportunity of hands on experience, where together with their teachers, they can prepare food a selection of healthy food. During these sessions, the chefs explain to students the different methods of cooking and advice on menus with a selection of wholesome ingredients.

The Minister for Gozo, Giovanna Debono visited the ITS during one of these sessions and praised the initiative, saying it was very important, both in terms of the government’s vision to make Gozo an ecological island, as well as allowing the students to arrive at a stage where they can decide their future career. Minister Debono explained how the programme of action on the eco-Gozo vision seeks to raise awareness of healthy practices in order to achieve the objective of improving the quality of life here in Gozo.

The Institute for Tourism Studies was inaugurated in May 2009, it offers modern facilities that allow hands-on training, both through individual units for the preparation of food, as well as other facilities such as the computer laboratory, restaurant and hotel training units.

This institute is currently housing 30 students who attend courses full-time and 32 part-time students. The courses include, among others, those for the preparation of food, the service of food and drink, food hygiene, and the handling of wine. During this year, the institute, which also incorporates a training hotel, has offered accommodation for 35 guests.

In the coming weeks it is expected that work will start on producing television programmes featuring Maltese recipes, which will include the participation of students from the institute.

The students will also be cooking and distributing paella with gbejniet, during the activity of Holy Saint Gregory, which is being organised in the village of Kercem during the course of this weekend.