MCAST enhances networking with European colleges

Through an 18-month project involving six European vocational education and training (VET) colleges and organisations in Malta, Germany, the UK, Italy and Denmark that has recently been concluded, MCAST has enhanced its international networking, exchanged best practices, and working knowledge, enhanced its existing and established new partnerships for future projects.

The project, which was entitled 'Oktopus' and funded through the Leonardo da Vinci Programme, MCAST held meetings to discuss various administrative and academic issues including project management, reciprocal hosting, curriculum development, delivery methods and technical expertise in respective vocational fields.

Several MCAST staff were involved in the project. Godwin Grech, Manager of MCAST's Gozo Centre, took part in an exchange with Germany's Ludenscheid's Berufskolleg fur Technik, said that the project was an important step in building the foundations for future students' placements in the industries linked to the German vocational institution.

Dorothy Meli, Director, Institute of Community Services, who held a trans-national meeting at Adam Smith College in Scotland, highlighted the importance of transfer of working knowledge and practices in order to enhance the delivery of study programmes here in Malta.

James Pearsall, Director at the Institute of Building and Construction Engineering, visited Laing Traditional Masonry Ltd in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, which is both a masonry conservation contractor as well as a training provider of craft skills required to repair, maintain and conserve built heritage. Together, they explored the possibility of Maltese heritage skills students travelling to Scotland on work placements.

Patrick Galea, assistant director, Art and Design Institute and Raymond Ellul, a lecturer in the same institute, visited the Accademia Belle Arti in Frosinone, Italy. During the week they spent in Frosinone, Mr Galea and Mr Ellul spoke to the director of the Accademia about the different presentation and teaching methods of subjects that are similar to those taught in Malta. They also had the opportunity to spend some time with the students discussing the experience they were getting at the Accademia.

Caroline Balzan, MCAST's Communications officer carried out an exchange at Sussex Downs College, UK, with the aim of exploring the administrative aspect of the exchange of students and staff members and also the promotion and dissemination of results achieved through EU-funded projects.

The 'Oktopus' project was promoted through the MCAST's International Programmes Office and was carried out with the European Community's support.