The NSTF Mini-European Assembly has recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. The National Student Travel Foundation continues to run this successful and popular programme every academic year and now counts over 1,000 erudite participants.
Conceptualised by Malta’s Parliamentary Assembly to the Council of Europe formed by Michael Frendo, Francis Zammit Dimech, Frank Portelli, Joe Brincat and the late Ġuże Cassar, and spearheaded by Rosette Fenech, the NSTF Mini-European Assembly was launched in December 1989.
It was originally designed with the aim of increasing knowledge and debate on European institutions and affairs when this was seriously lacking. However, over its history, it transformed itself into an educational experience that contributed significantly to the nurturing of numerous soft skills among participants.
The programme is today seen as supporting students develop skills related to public speaking, teamwork, time management, leadership, creativity and mutual respect.
It is driven by a thirst to see students develop their potential by instilling confidence and an inquisitive and critical attitude to their work. All told, the foundation sees itself as developing talented students into mature all-rounders.
The experience derived from such programmes shed light on the need for similar undertakings in other academic areas.
Consequently, over the years, NSTF developed an extensive portfolio of science popularisation and educational programmes. It has pioneered non-formal educational programmes in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and, most recently, the team has taken its experience into the area of psychology.
NSTF aims to continue nurturing tomorrow’s talent while providing the opportunity for like-minded people to meet, network and debate
This year, the foundation will be launching a new programme that addresses the unfortunate decline of English proficiency among younger-aged students.
Throughout these years NSTF has always sought to be relevant through its programmes and undertakings. Today, as it celebrates this important milestone, European youths are facing enormous challenges. Twenty-five years ago, youths were tearing down physical borders driven by the hope that an integrated Europe would bring.
Unfortunately, the European economic recession and fragile recovery has dented the hope of an entire generation of youths. Close to five million youths are currently unemployed in the EU.
Creating employment opportunities has become an urgent duty for all European policymakers. Employability has become, rightly so, a key concern for all. In essence, the core notion of employability relates to the propensity of graduates to obtain, and retain, fulfilling work. At root, employability is about learning, not least learning how to learn.
With the expansion of higher education, the increased competitive environment and the critical global economic environment, the long-time concerns of employers about graduate skills have become more pronounced. Employers are looking for that something more, which goes beyond a classical degree. In fact, many research studies and surveys among employers have revealed their essential needs for a consistent core set of desirable skills.
This core set would consist of interactive attributes including digital literacy, networking, multi-tasking, communication skills, interpersonal skills and team working. Personal attributes are also sought after and these include intellect and problem-solving; analytic, critical and reflective ability; willingness to learn and keep on learning; and a conduct of flexibility, adaptability and risk-taking.
The foundation’s programmes, over the years and in numerous disciplines, have always sought to nurture such skills. In fact the alumni who spoke at the 25th anniversary event at the Tapestry Chamber, The Palace, Valletta, all attested to this.
Looking ahead, it is now time to start writing a new chapter of the foundation’s history. As it embarks on evolving its non-formal education programmes, it believes its alumni can contribute effectively to the future.
Their success in their careers and their accumulated knowledge is a resource the foundation wants to promote and make use of. It is for this reason that the NSTF Alumni Network was launched. All Mini-European Assembly alumni are encouraged to join this network.
NSTF aims to continue nurturing tomorrow’s talent while providing the opportunity for like-minded people to meet, network and debate. through dedicated events .
Francis Stivala is secretary-general of the National Student Travel Foundation.