Institute of Tourism Studies

About

Our Team

Learning Support

Aġenzija Żgħażagħ

Further Support

The Institute of Tourism Studies invests a lot in student support services and has a team of dedicated staff that are at the student’s disposal.

What do we do?

We provide wellbeing sessions to all ITS students allowing them to discuss any concerns or personal matters that are affecting their wellbeing in a confidential setting.
We provide wellbeing sessions to all students who are abroad on a foreign work placement via MS Teams video calls.
We give students the opportunity to discuss anything related to their programme of study and any other related matters during their time at ITS or during their work placement.
We provide one-to-one guidance sessions related to assisting a candidate in choosing the right course and career path.
We organise orientation visits on campus to all secondary and post-secondary schools.
We assist students in their preparation for their International Internship.
We organize talks about relevant topics for students during the scholastic year.
We distribute information about topics related to well-being to students.
We reach out to students who seem to be undergoing some difficulties.
We provide a service that incorporates an element of outreach to students on campus.
Through informal and non-formal means, we seek to nurture a sense of community in our Institute; a sense of belonging, as well as a sense of empathy for others.
We strive to keep the total wellbeing of our students at the forefront and work to help them to develop the skills necessary to actively engage in society and work towards positive change where is needed.
Through this work on outreach, we are in a better position to get to know our students and thus more able to deliver and respond to individual needs and situations as they arise.

FAQ

Career Guidance

What career guidance services are available to prospective students?

What career guidance services are available to current students?

What career guidance services are available to schools?

Wellbeing Services

Which aspects of life can I discuss during wellbeing sessions?

How long are wellbeing sessions? And can I miss a lecture to attend a wellbeing session?

Where are wellbeing sessions held?

What are the Wellbeing Services’ Opening Hours?

How do I set an appointment for a wellbeing session?

Audrey Buhagiar

Manager of the Student Support Services

Hello!,
I am Audrey Buhagiar, and I am the Manager of the Student Support Services Department at ITS.

My role is to ensure that ITS offers the best service to you by adopting a student-centred approach. Each and every one of you is important to us and we believe that you have qualities to make a difference at our campus. It is also my department’s mission and promise to tackle any situation which you might experience in a holistic manner. Our support varies from career advisory to personal wellbeing sessions.

My duty is also to help you experience a sense of belonging at ITS. This is carried out by practicing inclusion and condemning any discrimination and bullying. Since ITS is an educational setting, I ensure that our practices align with our core values, outlined in our policies and procedures. In order to reach this objective, the Student Support Services department works hand in hand with many other departments internally and externally to make sure that you feel well supported ... read more

Hello!,
I am Audrey Buhagiar, and I am the Manager of the Student Support Services Department at ITS.

My colleagues and I are committed to ensure a holistic experience to all students by offering a variety of support services. The department is divided into three units specialising in different support services.

The Career Guidance Unit offers guidance and support to all prospective and current students who require help in deciding the best study programme for them at ITS, according to their chosen career path. This unit is taken cared of by the Career Guidance Officer.
The Outreach unit is there to support all current students with all queries that they might have while studying at ITS, while directing them to the right channel. The Student Support Officer takes care of this unit.
The Well being unit offers confidential one to one wellbeing and counselling sessions to current students who might need to discuss any issues which are personal and might be impacting their lives, including their experience at ITS such as relationships, work life balance, past unresolved experiences, family issues, gender issues and so on. The Counsellor is responsible for this unit.

As a department, we are always doing our best to increase the quantity and quality of our services to you and to make your experience at ITS a memorable one. Should you require support, I recommend that you speak to our first point of contact, the Student Support Officer, who will be able to guide you further.

It is with pleasure to mention that ITS works hand in hand with Agenzija Zghazagh, which is the national agency responsible for youth. Agenzija Zghazagh offers sessions to all our current students o a variety of interpersonal and intrapersonal skills, as well as helps ITS in the running of the Youth Hub.

I strongly suggest contacting us if you require one or some of the support services mentioned above.

Wishing you all a pleasant and enjoyable learning experience at ITS.

Claire Ciantar

Wellbeing Officer

wellbeing@its.edu.mt

Hello,
I am Claire Ciantar and I am the Wellbeing Officer at ITS. I take care of the Wellbeing Services and my role is to assist you in improving your sense of wellbeing. You can book a session with me if you are feeling sad, worried, angry or confused about anything in your life, even if you’re not sure why you are feeling this way. We can talk about different things such as your family, your friends, your relationships, your sexuality, yourself self-esteem, your peers, your past experiences and anything else which may be on your mind. My role is to listen to you with understanding and without judgement, and to assist you in discovering ways to manage your situation more effectively, develop new coping skills and learn more about yourself. Everything we discuss during your sessions will remain between us. My goal is to keep you safe whilst helping you discover ways to feel happier, calmer and more focused. You do not need to face your challenges alone. Should you wish to discuss anything feel free to set an appointment by sending an email to wellbeing@its.edu.mt. Sessions can either be done face to face in my office or online via Microsoft Teams, whichever way you feel most comfortable.

My Office is located in Room 15, Block A.

Marie Angela Schembri Meli

Career Guidance Officer

guidance@its.edu.mt

My name is Marie Angela Schembri Meli and I am Career Guidance Officer within the Student Services Department at ITS.

I am here to provide guidance and support to both current and prospective students in navigating their career development and decision-making processes.

I also assist students in exploring their interests, skills, values, and goals to identify suitable career paths and make informed career-related decisions and consequently unlock their potential and find the right career path.

Additionally, I can also help students to build and enhance their CV and/or interview skills, to successfully navigate the job market and secure employment opportunities aligned with their interests and qualifications.

Depending on what is most practical for you, we can schedule a face-to-face or virtual one-on-one career guidance session. Thus, I invite you to send me an email on guidance@its.edu.mt to schedule an appointment.

My Office is located in Room 12, Block A.

Student Support Outreach Services

The Outreach unit is your first point of contact. If you have a problem and not sure how it can be resolved, come and speak to our professional staff members.

We will listen to you, understand you, support you, defend your rights, guide you to the right people who will be able to help you and contact people who can help you.

Should you need to contact us, kindly do so on studentsupport@its.edu.mt

There are several other sources of free support in Malta should you feel the need for further support to improve your wellbeing and state of mind.

Chat Support Services:

Olli Chat Kellimni.com

Telephone Support Service:

179

(Appoġġ Support Line – 24hrs)

1770

(Richmond Foundation Helpline)

If you would like to socialise and make new friends, there are several youth cafes by that you could attend.

Aġenzija Żgħażagħ

If you identify as LGBT+ and would like to meet other LGBT+ youths in an accepting environment, you could attend the youth group.

Rainbow Support Services

Aġenzija Żgħażagħ

At Aġenzija Żgħażagħ, we offer young people a unique opportunity to connect, learn, and grow. Our community and outreach youth services and extensive empowerment programmes provide a platform for young people to make friends, access information, learn in innovative ways, and develop their talents. Our dedicated youth workers, who understand the needs and interests of young people, act as a vital link between student support services and the students.

Youth Hub

Aġenzija Żgħażagħ offers a safe space known as the Youth Hub. This Youthhub provides young people a place to relax, make new friends, and meet with youth workers. Youth workers from Aġenzija Żgħażagħ are present at the youth hub on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 am to 2 pm. In addition to enjoying indoor games like board games, table soccer, and air hockey, young people can interact with youth workers in various aspects of their lives. Furthermore, through this service, students can acquire information on local and international youth opportunities. Youth workers collaborate with Student Support Services to address the student's needs. Aġenzija Żgħażagħ Youth workers, in cooperation with young people, organise activities that interest them and raise awareness on current themes.

Youth Hub

Planning for Success (Make Head)

Planning for Success (Make Head) is a 7-week transition programme designed to equip young people with essential life skills that are not just theoretical, but practical and applicable in various aspects of life, such as the workplace, relationships, family, and friendships. These skills, including communication, teamwork, conflict resolution, organisational skills, time management, and adaptability, help participants feel prepared and confident in their personal and professional lives. This programme is available to both Foundation and Certificate students, facilitating a smoother transition from secondary school to ITS.

Be Mobile Like a Pro

Be Mobile Like a Pro is a 7-week program that aims to provide young people with important life skills from a global perspective. Participants develop emotional intelligence, cultural awareness, independent living skills, the ability to access reliable information, an understanding of professionalism, and budgeting skills. These competencies not only help students cope with their internship placements abroad but also make them feel more worldly and open-minded. This programme is available to both diploma and degree students.

Contact our youth workers! You can send a message on Aġenzija Żgħażagħ's social media channels, email agenzija.zghazagh@gov.mt, or call 2258 6700.

Learning Coaches

ITS's dedicated team of Learning Coaches support students with special needs, learning difficulties, and other specific challenges students encounter during their time on campus.

What do we do?

Support students with special needs and/or learning challenges and/or specific difficulties throughout their learning experience.
Collaborate with lecturers and curriculum staff to develop access arrangements for students with special needs and/or learning challenges and/ or specific difficulties.
Provide complimentary sessions to assist students in studying for tests and exams and additional explanations.
Collaborate with lecturers to draw clear worksheets for students with different needs, to be used during complimentary sessions and at home.
Make necessary adaptations and accommodations for lectures and practical sessions to promote the student's learning process.

Alternative Learning Programme

Alternative Learning Programmes may be designed for students who may not benefit from a learning experience point of view by following the mainstream programmes and all their components. Please contact ITS to inquire.

FAQ

At which point do I inform the Institute of Tourism Studies that I am a student who has special needs and/or learning challenges and/ or specific difficulties? 

What do we do?

FAQ

Career Guidance

What career guidance services are available to prospective students?

What career guidance services are available to current students?

What career guidance services are available to schools?

Wellbeing Services

Which aspects of life can I discuss during wellbeing sessions?

How long are wellbeing sessions? And can I miss a lecture to attend a wellbeing session?

Where are wellbeing sessions held?

What are the Wellbeing Services’ Opening Hours?

How do I set an appointment for a wellbeing session?

Audrey Buhagiar

Claire Ciantar

Marie Angela Schembri Meli

Student Support Outreach Services

Learning Coaches

Alternative Learning Programme

FAQ

At which point do I inform the Institute of Tourism Studies that I am a student who has special needs and/or learning challenges and/ or specific difficulties?

Do I need to present any documents?

Will I be given one-to-one support?

Student Support

What do we do?

FAQ

Career Guidance

What career guidance services are available to prospective students?

What career guidance services are available to current students?

What career guidance services are available to schools?

Wellbeing Services

Which aspects of life can I discuss during wellbeing sessions?

How long are wellbeing sessions? And can I miss a lecture to attend a wellbeing session?

Where are wellbeing sessions held?

What are the Wellbeing Services’ Opening Hours?

How do I set an appointment for a wellbeing session?

Audrey Buhagiar

Claire Ciantar

Marie Angela Schembri Meli

Student Support Outreach Services

Learning Coaches

Alternative Learning Programme

FAQ

At which point do I inform the Institute of Tourism Studies that I am a student who has special needs and/or learning challenges and/ or specific difficulties?

Do I need to present any documents?

Will I be given one-to-one support?

At which point do I inform the Institute of Tourism Studies that I am a student who has special needs and/or learning challenges and/ or specific difficulties? 