Mcast students win silver medals in EU-wide competition

A group of Mcast students has just participated in a Europe-wide competition on skills, scooping three silver medals, words of praise from organisers and sponsors, and a wealth of new experiences.

The Mcast students, some of whom are former students who are now pursuing a career in their respective specialisations, took part in a three-day long competition in cross media publishing , electronics and mechanics.

The Euroskills Competition took place in Ahoy, Rotterdam, from September 18-21, and attracted over 400 competitors from 28 European countries, who came from a diverse vocational background that ranged from engineering, ICT, automobile mechanics and truck driving, to printing, painting and hairdressing, and other vocational spheres. The participants competed by trying to solve a series of complex tasks that were set by a panel of experts who also served as jury.

However, the aim was not simply a competition, but a platform on which vocational education and training could be promoted across Europe, and through which skills standards could be raised.

The youths secured three silver medals, beating tough competition from their Dutch, Finnish, Norwegian, Polish and Portuguese counterparts. The students participated both in teams and on an individual basis. Mark Philip Camilleri won a silver medal in the Web Designer competition, while Shawn Sciberras and Stephen Zahra won silver in the Electronics Technician competition.

Mark Philip Camilleri described the Euroskills2008 as an amazing experience where he got the opportunity to work as a web designer while forming part of a successful team (with graphic designer Darren Duncan).

Jubilant after his recent achievement, Mr Camilleri explained: "Besides working with Darren, I spent seven days with the other members of Team Malta - Daniel Micallef, Luke Farrugia, Shawn Sciberras, Stephen Zahra and our team leader Adele Muscat. The experience could not have been such a pleasant one without their company and support.

"The competition itself proved to be very challenging and exciting. Every morning I had to face the tension which built up from the previous day until I arrived on site and started working again. Despite all the excitement and tension, Euroskills2008 came to an end before I could even notice. It was a unique experience which boosted both my national pride and even my career. I'm very grateful towards the Maltese organisers who made all this possible and especially Conrad Vassallo and Ms Muscat who gave me their support - both technical and moral - without which I could not have succeeded."

Adele Muscat, the team leader who accompanied the group to Rotterdam, praised the students' ability to match the level and consistency of their opponents.

"The competition made our students aware of their potential, and of Malta's stronghold in certain industries such as electronics. The experience has also opened many doors for them - it provided an opportunity to establish important contacts, and it has been a useful experience in showcasing their skills to foreign sponsors."

The competition was in itself a tough test of accuracy because of the strict deadlines, and a test on competitiveness, since the Maltese participants competed among the best participants from all over Europe.

"The youths who are currently Mcast students shared their experiences with foreign youths. The competition also projected them into an outside world where they could compare what they are studying and working on locally with what is being taught abroad. On the other hand, the competition served to showcase the skills of the young professionals among peers and potential employers," Ms Muscat said.

The group was also accompanied by experts and Mcast staff John Sciberras, Vince Maione, Mario Aquilina and Conrad Vassallo.

John Sciberras, who is Mcast's director of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, said that the Maltese participants proved wrong the mentality that other countries beat Malta, especially when it comes to certain industries like electronics.

"Malta is on par with other countries, both with regards to our abilities and skills, and even with regards to the level of subjects the students are taught. Our students have proved that we can compete with anyone."

The competition was also an eye-opener and an experience of a lifetime to the participants.

"Through the activities which were aimed for participants to integrate and interact, our participants learnt about other cultures. But they also learned more about discipline, concentration, teamwork and competition - experiences which helped them mature even more," Mr Sciberras said.

"From the point of view of director, I also believe it is extremely important for our students to participate in similar experiences, because it is through such opportunities that we can evaluate our methods of teaching and our level of quality and standards.

"A lack of participation would be to the detriment of Mcast as well as our country."