The University of Malta's Department of Social Policy and Social Work is offering a stepping stone programme for persons capable of taking up higher education, such as at University, Mcast or ITS, but who have faced difficulties in making it.
For many people, higher education is the key to better and higher-paid jobs. However, some find it hard to take up this opportunity. A number of people are held back by disability or family problems, while others might have missed the opportunity through lack of encouragement or because they became parents at a young age. Others may have been slower in integrating in schools because they might have come from a different culture, ethnic group or educational system; others may have faced hostile attitudes, lack of resources or had to work because of financial problems.
The Social Policy and Social Work Department is offering a short preparatory course to make it easier for such persons to make this step. The course, entitled Esteem/Leonardo and supported by EU funds, does not give participants a new academic qualification, but is open to people who are already within a year or two of obtaining the qualifications needed for their higher education course.
Those accepted for the course will take part in seven weekly sessions that help them learn how to do well in life. The course includes topics such as study skills, relational skills and skills in managing life's challenges. The learning groups will be small so that participants can take an active part and engage in deeper personal learning.
Participants will also be asked what courses they wish to follow and information sessions about the desired courses will also be given. Every student will have a mentor - a university student who is specially trained to share his/her experience, to support and answer queries on a friendly, equal-to-equal basis.
Participants will be introduced to the University premises and services, and to the use of Moodle, the University of Malta's online learning platform, and to available help in career guidance.
A helpful tool, consisting in a folder and a supporting website, is also being developed to help participants take in hand their own career direction and progress.
The folder will contain questionnaires - students can keep the answers to themselves - which will help them decide what path to take in their education and job quest. A section will help them compile a record of useful experiences, such as leading a group, using a computer, being responsible for an activity, entertaining, and following instructions. Such non-formal qualifications can open doors to jobs or courses in the future.
A website will also be developed in which would-be students can get information on resources for career and study guidance, including local bodies, as well as links to websites that help the individual tackle questions about future studies and jobs suitable according to abilities and backgrounds.
This is the second time that the Department of Social Policy and Social Work is offering such a programme. In this EU-funded international project, the University of Malta is in partnership with the Marie Curie Foundation and the Social Services Department of Sliven (Bulgaria), Sakarya University (Turkey), e-ISOTIS, Greece, and de Montfort University, Leicester (UK), who are the coordinators of the project.
During the first project, the University worked locally in partnership with the National Commission for Disability and in cooperation with Mcast. This time, the University is extending its contacts with these and other bodies active in the field, especially entities that provide higher education, look after the interests of groups that face social disadvantage, and help in career guidance and in the promotion of employment.
Persons wishing to apply or to request more information (whether on their own behalf or on behalf of an interested organisation) are invited to contact Andrea Dibben on or 2340 2976. Applications must be received by Sunday, September 28. The project website, www.esteem-apt.eu, will soon be activated.