MAVC new offices inaugurated

Just before the Christmas recess, the permanent secretary within the Ministry for Education and Employment Dr Frank Fabri officially inaugurated the new offices of the Mikiel Anton Vassalli College (MAVC) at Hamrun.

Named after the father of the Maltese language, the Mikiel Anton Vassalli College is a network of specialised schools for the Visual and Performing Arts Education in Malta and Gozo. Dr Fabri spoke about the vision for these specialised schools, specifically to gain the status of an academic cluster with the focus on the quality of teaching and learning in the visual and performing arts.

“As a college it is important to create the synergy between these specialised schools. Additionally, it is equally important to instil in our learners especially the young generation, the awareness of the economics of culture and creative industries in Malta. Especially when one considers that not less than 6.4% contribute to the Maltese GDP,” Dr Fabri said.

Dr Fabri added that permits are issued with regards to the restoration of the MAVC Malta School of Art in Valletta and around €5m are being invested to fully refurbish this historic building in Old Bakery Street. This investment will turn this building into a place for quality teaching and learning in the creative arts leading to qualifications from MQF level 1 up to MQF

Level 5 (Diploma). The works are currently ongoing and the Malta School of Art should be ready to receive the students again as from October.

Apart of this, Dr Fabri referred to the plans to fully refurbish the MAVC Malta School of Music in Hamrun (ex-Maria Assumpta) with soundproofing and to build an extension to this school to meet the high demand of registrations. Additionally, a new school for Drama and Dance, equipped with the appropriate studios and adequate spaces, is planned to be incorporated also at this Hamrun Education Complex.

“The schools, within the Mikiel Anton Vassalli College, cater for over 3,500 students whose ages vary from six years onwards together with 40 full-time teachers and over 100 part-time educators − all specialists in their subject area,” concluded the College principal Victor Galea.

During the on-site visit, the permanent secretary met and thanked the College maintenance workers for their commitment especially during the short summer period in order to do regular maintenance works, another annual investment of thousands of euros so that the staff and students can find these places welcoming and operational.

Maria Galea, director general Strategy and Support accompanied the permanent secretary during the inauguration of the new offices.