MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS MEETS I.T.U.'S DEVELOPMENTBUREAU DIRECTOR

Mr. Hamadoun Tour'?, Director, Telecommunications Development Bureau of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), who is on an official visit in Malta in preparation for the finalisation of the partnership agreement between ITU Global Telecommunication University and Training Institute (GTU/GTTI) and Maltacom Training College, had a meeting with Mr. Censu Galea, Minister for Transport and Communications, during which he explained to the Minister the progress achieved so far.

The mission of the GTU/GTTI is to contribute to the development of human resources in the telecommunications sector by offering training and educational courses. It aims to create a non-profit self-sufficient training/education institution for the development of telecommunications. The concept was launched in 1994 and training activities started in 1997.

Mr. Tour'? explained that in the framework of this partnership agreement, an inter-regional node will be established at Maltacom Training College, by means of which training programmes will be delivered mainly by online distance learning methodologies, for participants from telecommunications companies and other organisations in Malta and around the world.

Minister Galea expressed his satisfaction that Malta was participating actively in this important ITU initiative. He also augured that Malta continues to make further worthwhile contributions to other ITU related projects, particularly by sharing with other countries the experience of the process of liberalisation that Malta has successfully implemented.

Mr. Tour'? informed Minister Galea that Maltacom's Training College will also be represented in the Governing Board of the GTU/GTTI, and will have the opportunity to organise study visits to well established distance learning institutions.

By virtue of this partnership, Maltacom Training College will be recognised as an official partner of the ITU GTU/GTTI. This recognition will also be entrenched in all courses, documents, seminars, premises, offices, infrastructure and other activities related to this partnership.

Mr. Tour'? also highlighted the fact that this partnership will help in enlarging and enhancing the quantity and quality of various training programmes offered to developing countries. Besides, Maltacom Training College will enjoy an enhanced international reputation, wherein its courses will have a higher profile and greater market penetration. This project will also provide a good opportunity for the College to acquire new skills and knowledge in delivering modern and future electronically based teaching methods.

Present for the meeting, were Mr. Joe Tabone, Chairman, Telecommunications Authority, Mr. Anthony Pavia, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Anthony De Bono from Maltacom, and other officials.