Thousands of Maltese youths will take a very important decision on their future over the next couple of weeks. While awaiting their SEC and MATSEC results, these students must decide where to further their secondary and eventually tertiary studies.
The Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) is the first college to have launched its prospectus for academic year 2004/5. MCAST offers over 100 courses, whether part- or full-time, or evening courses, and at every level from the most basic to a Higher National Diploma.
Most courses are internationally recognised. There will be new courses and a new 'character-forming' credits system. MCAST was recently recognised by the European Union as an Erasmus University Charter.
Education Minister Louis Galea launched the prospectus that gives information on the nine institutes in Malta and the Gozitan centres.
The prospectus includes all the courses offered, as well as the necessary qualifications for entry. This year the prospectus shows in a much easier manner, and with the use of diagrams, how students can start their studies at a higher level.
Minister Galea said that MCAST has broadened the choices of vocational courses at all levels to help the Maltese and Gozitans in their career choices and to meet their aspirations.
In its first three years of operation, MCAST has grown at a very fast pace and has established itself as a leader in post-secondary and tertiary education locally. Minister Galea also praised the efforts made by the college to be fully accessible to persons with special needs and the assistance the college is giving to youths who have not achieved the minimum-requirement qualifications as well as providing general foundation courses.
There is still a long way for MCAST to go to reach the set goals, so that together with other organisations the number of students carrying on their education will keep rising. He also said that Government shall keep developing the college and invest in it for students to have the best facilities and resources at their disposal.
Courses offered at MCAST this year include:
Mechanical Engineering Institute
¤MCAST/BTEC First Diploma in Mechanical Engineering
¤ MCAST/BTEC National Diploma/Certificate in Mechanical Engineering
¤ BTEC National Diploma in Aerospace Engineering.
Community Services Institute
¤ MCAST/BTEC National Diploma in Care
¤ MCAST/BTEC National Diploma in Sports (Sports Development and Fitness).
Building and Construction Engineering Institute
¤ MCAST/BTEC National Diploma in Construction
¤ MCAST/BTEC First Diploma in Construction.
Business and Commerce Institute
¤ BTEC National Certificate in Applied Science (Laboratory and Industrial Science). This course is intended for students intending to work in the pharmaceutical industry, one of Malta's expanding sectors.
Agribusiness Institute
¤ A specialised course shall be created for adults and those who already have work experience.
On Minister Galea's insistence, this year MCAST will offer not just an educational experience, but also a holistic one, beneficial to students' characters. The working world needs not just qualified individuals, but also workers with a positive view of the world. MCAST offers all students extra-curricular activities such as sports, community work, cultural, artistic and spiritual experiences, the chance to do voluntary work, as well as work placements for most courses.
Students will be awarded credits for participation in extra-curricular activities, which will be recorded and can help students when applying for jobs, as well as help build leadership qualities, creativity, team spirit and motivation.
Applications for courses will be accepted on July 26 for students whose surnames begin with A, B or C, on July 27 for letters D to M and on July 28 for letters N to Z.
People who for some reason can't apply on the correct date can apply on July 29 or 30. It is advisable to apply in person.
Applications will be held at the appropriate institutes, with the majority being held at the MCAST centre in Corradino Hill, Paola. Gozitan applicants can apply at the Gozitan Centres on the same days.
This is MCAST's fourth year of operation. Last year MCAST launched three new institutes: Mechanical Engineering Institute; Community Services Institute; and Agribusiness Institute.
MCAST employs over 370 people and last year 3,700 students attended the 65 full-time courses available, and 1,100 attended the 102 part-time and evening courses.
As of last year the college also started offering a Higher National Diploma, which is just one level lower than a university degree.
Interested parties are advised to read the prospectus - which was sent by post to all students who finished their secondary education this year - and attend the information talks to be held over the coming weeks.
Talks will be held as follows:
Information and Communication Technology Institute at the Main Campus on Corradino Hill, Paola, at 6.30 p.m on Tuesday;
Gozo Centre in Triq it-Tigrija, Xaghra, Gozo, at 9.30 a.m. on Wednesday;
Mechanical Engineering Institute at the Main Campus at 6.30 p.m. on Thursday;
Maritime Institute at Kalkara at 6 p.m. on Friday;
Agribusiness Institute at 10 a.m., Community Services Institue at 6 p.m. at the Main Campus on July 12;
Art and Design Institute at the Main Campus at 9 a.m. on July 13;
Building and Construction Engineering Institute at the Main Campus at 6.30 p.m. on July 14;
Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute at the Main Campus at 6 p.m. on July 15; and
Business and Commerce Institute at the Main Campus at 9.30 a.m. on July 16;
For more information phone 2180-6440 or e-mail information@mcast.edu.mt. The college also offers guidance and counselling services for students who are as yet undecided on which course they would like to attend.
www.mcast.edu.mt