Former PL minister Evarist Bartolo receives special recognition award in Spain
Organised by the GIOYA Higher Education Institution, the event brought together its global community of students, faculty members and guests
Former minister and Labour MP Evarist Bartolo recently received a special recognition award at the GIOYA Celebration Day 2025.
Organised by the GIOYA Higher Education Institution, the event brought together its global community of students, faculty members and guests at the Higuerón Hotel Curio Collection by Hilton and The Embassy Training Centre in Fuengirol, Spain.
Bartolo received the GIOYA special recognition award alongside his formal appointment as chair of the institution’s Ethics Committee, symbolising GIOYA’s commitment to ethical leadership and public service.
The day opened with the plenary session of the academic senate of GIOYA, a body composed of international leaders in academia, diplomacy and innovation, chaired by Prof. Maurits Van Rooijen, chair of the academic senate, and Francesco Cappè, president of GIOYA. The session reflected on the meaning of education in a rapidly changing world and the shared responsibility of shaping future generations of ethical and visionary leaders.
In the evening, the atmosphere transformed into one of celebration. The graduation ceremony and gala dinner honoured the journeys of the students from across the world who had earned their Bachelor in International Business Administration and Entrepreneurship, a double degree with the University of Turin.
Each graduate’s story represented courage, ambition and a global mindset – from executives of leading global brands to pioneers in sustainability, technology, yachting and hospitality.
Among them were leaders from sectors as diverse as luxury, banking, manufacturing, yachting and international cooperation, representing companies such as Swarovski, Michelin, Intesa Sanpaolo and others. Their achievements showcased the diversity, excellence and purpose-driven leadership that define the GIOYA community.
The ceremony was presided over by Van Rooijen and Cappè. Besides Bartolo, other distinguished guests included Prof. Francisco Rojas, rector of the United Nations University for Peace (UPEACE), and representatives of the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Torino, highlighting GIOYA’s close connection with academia and social innovation.
Another memorable moment was the participation of UNITAR – the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, represented by Alex Mejía, and Ambassador Luis Gallegos, who conferred the UNITAR–CIFAL Global Network Certificates upon 10 recipients, recognising their commitment to leadership and sustainable development. The session was moderated by Julio Andrade, further reinforcing the bridge between GIOYA and the UN training system.
The presence and inspiration of UNITAR, UPEACE and the global yachting and hospitality community gave the evening a distinctive international flair – combining protocol, elegance and heartfelt celebration. In his closing words, Cappè reminded the audience that “education is not only about knowledge, but about transformation – the courage to connect what we learn with what the world truly needs”. He also made reference to the establishing of GIOYA thanks to Malta and the opportunities it offers in the educational sector.
The evening concluded with a live music performance.
GIOYA Higher Education Institution was accredited and obtained an educational licence from the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority in 2019. The institution has its offices in San Andrija Street in San Ġwann and organised its first graduation celebration in Malta in April, 2024. The institution offers courses in the fields of commercial diplomacy, entrepreneurship, luxury management and sport leadership.