Fibre optic training at Mcast

A new fibre optic laboratory inaugurated last week at the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology will provide Mcast ICT networking students advanced tools and equipment for hands-on training in the latest fibre optic technologies.

IFTAC and Mcast are looking forward to make Malta a platform for fibre optic application training and knowledge transfer in the Mediterranean

It is supported by expertise from Stockholm’s Fibre Optic Valley, an ICT research and development region in Sweden with over 100 specialised companies and organisations that aims to become a European centre of excellence in fibre optic technologies by 2015.

The new lab was inaugurated during a visit by a delegation led by Fibre Optic Valley CEO Jonas Dahlstrom and Morgan Hallgren, CEO at ICT Networks (Sweden).

Dahlstrom said that the Institute for Fibre Optic Training and Certification (IFTAC)and Mcast are looking forward to make Malta a platform for fibre optic application training and knowledge transfer in the Mediterranean.

Fibre Optic Valley’s vision is to develop Malta as a leading centre in fibre optic technologies in the region. Sweden’s IFTAC invested over €120,000 to equip the new facility at Mcast and provide lecturers at the college’s Institute of Information and Communication Technology with specialised training in the subject.

Through this collaboration, Mcast students will soon be able to obtain IFTAC certifications in fibre optic applications.

Eventually, the college plans to continue its collaboration with Fibre Optic Valley, to develop the laboratory into a specialised research and development centre.