Mcast adds first degrees to its vocational training courses

In its series of impressive milestones since its inception about eight years ago, the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology is adding another outstanding achievement - vocational training leading to a first-degree course.

The entry to these courses - each degree course will last a year - is through a Higher National Diploma (HTD), which takes two years to complete, Mcast principal Maurice Grech told The Sunday Times.

While a number of students who obtained their HTD through the college are reading for a first degree in British universities, having to cough up about €23,293 (Lm10,000) to cover course fees and expenses, Mcast will be able to offer such degree courses on its own campus.

"Through the feedback we have had from the students, their lecturers and parents, many are willing to read for a first degree at Mcast once they would be able to do this, as they would not have to incur such a substantial expense to read for the same undergraduate degree overseas.

"Through the provision of such degree courses, we will be providing students with better skills and competencies that industry will be able to put to good use when tapping niche markets," Prof. Grech said.

The principal keystone on which the college mission statement is built consists of providing students with a vocational aptitude, access to multiple entries to the college and, likewise, multiple exit points leading to the job market.

Students with a school-leaving certificate can enter the college for a foundation certificate programme. Those with O-levels can follow a national diploma course, while students with A-levels in their main area of studies will be able to follow an HTD course.

Students, if they so wish, progress from one level to the next up to first degree level.

"So when we refer to first degree level, we don't mean students will register for such a course per se, but will follow one of the courses as an entry point.

"As an initial score, I would say that about 100 to 150 students will go for the degree course, a number that is expected to grow.

"As industry continues to be attracted to tap niche markets, students have to be qualified in specific areas. There is already a heavy demand for such students and this is evident in the way in which they are hired," Prof. Grech added. The courses being designed by Mcast will enable students enrolling for an HND this year, to follow a one-year top-up degree course once they successfully complete their HTD studies.

The college now has 4,600 full-time students and almost the same amount of part-timers.

"The college provides up-skilling and re-skilling programmes for those who want to move ahead. Mcast also holds specific courses that it designs for those employers involved in niche areas, such as furniture manufacturers wanting to supply the super-yacht industry," Prof. Grech noted.

There are manufacturing sectors that are looking for highly skilled technicians, including the aviation, plant and maintenance, marine engineering and the financial services fields, which are booming.

Mcast has British partner universities, who will be working with the college to design the courses to meet the demand for local skills according to the needs of its students.

"The idea is not to replicate or compete with the University of Malta. What we are attracting is a different kind of student, a student who is more vocationally inclined; the entire course being designed around employability.

"What's new is that students with A-levels who are suitable to follow a course in electrical engineering can either join the University or Mcast.

"The advantage of registering at Mcast is that you have different exit points leading to the labour market equipped with skills that are demanded by industry, and you obtain the HTD not because you have failed in your studies, like you would do if you fail a degree course at University," Prof. Grech explained.

Mcast has nine institutes out of which, initially, the college will be able to offer first degree studies in the institutes of Art and Design, Business and Commerce, Electrical and Electronics Engineering and Information and Communication Technology. Entry requirements for the higher national diplomas are either an advanced matriculation certificate or a national diploma in a relevant area of study.

Applications will be received tomorrow from applicants with surnames starting A-B. July 22: surnames C-F; July 23: surnames G-P. July 24: surnames Q-Z. Applications are received between 8.30 a.m. and 12.30 p.m.

Applicants who, for some reason or other, cannot present their application on these dates may do so on Friday between 8.30 a.m. and 12.30 p.m.

More information may be obtained from the Information and Support Centre, Mcast Main Campus, Paola (tel: 2398 7100); e-mail: information@mcast.edu.mt; website: www.mcast.edu.mt.