Photos: Jonathan Borg

The Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology last week held three graduation ceremonies of 258 students who successfully completed their Bachelor degrees, and 483 who completed Higher National Diploma (HND) or other Malta Qualifications Framework level 5 programmes.

This was an 18.5 per cent rise over the number of graduates at these levels last year.

This year’s graduations include the first Mcast graduates in six programmes introduced last year. These include the Mcast-Btec HNDs in Photography, in Health and Social Care (Practice), in Advanced Studies in Early Years, a BSc (Hons) in Health and Social Care (Practice), a B.Eng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering (Manufacturing) and a B.Eng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering (Plant).

The vocational degrees were part-financed by a European Social Fund project entitled Professional Development Programmes for Mcast Staff and Students’ Top-Up Degrees.

Mcast principal and CEO Stephen Cachia said the college was now one of the main pillars of higher education in Malta, offering an alternative route that provides opportunities for all students who wish to further their studies. He said the college provided students with both the academic and practical/applied side of education, preparing them for the world of work and at the same time focussing on their holistic development.

He also spoke about the college’s current and future projects, including the building of the new campus, the renewal of the programmes’ curricula at all levels, the consolidation of the student support services, the increase of students’ participation in college life through the Student Council and other student organisations and the strengthening of stakeholder relationships.

Silvio DeBono, president of the college’s board of governors, also addressed the graduands.

Awards for outstanding performance were presented to students who excelled in their studies.

Early next year, Mcast will hold other certificate presentation ceremonies for students who completed introductory, foundation, diploma and extended diploma courses.