Student mobility in and out of Malta is on the rise, according to Dolores Cristina, Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport. Students in higher levels of education are becoming more mobile than ever following Malta's EU membership in 2004.

While the Maltese have sought education and employment abroad, the country's academic institutions and labour market are attracting foreigners to the island at a growing rate, encouraged by ongoing government and EU initiatives, Ms Cristina said.

Addressing the 15th joint meeting of the European Network of Information Centres in the European Region and National Academic Recognition Information Centres, Ms Christina outlined Malta's aim to become a centre of excellence in seven areas of economic and social activity by 2015 including ICT, health, tourism, manufacturing, financial services, education and research. The development of Gozo into an ecological island will also play an important part in the country's role within the European community.

Malta has attracted the interest of those who see the combination of a warm climate, an English speaking educational system and a concentration of highly qualified people as an ideal location for investment, she said.