Malta’s first HD TV studio, at Mcast’s institute of art and design in Mosta, is being used for media studies, the facility being funded by the EU.

Joe Farrugia, chairman of the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology, told the Prime Minister yesterday that none of the ongoing investment in the college’s various institutes would have been possible without EU funds.

He said that while, until a few years ago, those wanting to specialise in many areas had to study abroad, the investment in Mcast made it possible for many new courses to be launched and the best training equipment acquired.

The new, industry-standard studios at Mosta include the fully equipped and functional HD TV studio, 25 editing suites, HD cameras, a crane and a 270 degrees green screen for virtual TV productions.

Dr Gonzi yesterday visited the Mosta institute where a €2.3 million investment was made to upgrade facilities.

Dr Gonzi, who earlier also visited the Mcast main campus in Corradino, where €120 million is being invested, described the new facilities as “a concrete example of Malta’s success through EU membership”.

He said that all this would not have been possible had the country made the wrong decision and stayed out of the EU, with many youths losing the opportunities that existed today.

Dr Gonzi said that the Government was realising its vision for Mcast, so much so that from a humble beginning in 2001 with just 1,500 students, the college was now hosting 6,000 students following hundreds of courses.

He said that 83 per cent of Maltese students were now continuing post-secondary education and said that the Government would continue to invest in the sector.

Dr Gonzi said the Government intended to set up a €10 million research and innovation fund that industries could tap into and invest further through their own resources. One of the conditions for using such money will be that researchers have to be Maltese.