The Malta Independent on Sunday
MCAST presents 2017-2020 strategic direction
On Tuesday, 28 March 2017 MCAST launched its Annual Report 2015/16 and presented the Strategic Direction for 2017-2020. This was held at the Administration Building Hall in the presence of Evarist Bartolo, Minister for Education and Employment, Dr Silvio De Bono, president of the MCAST Board of Governors and Stephen Cachia, principal and CEO.
Annual Report 2015/2016
The Annual Report gives an overview of all the work carried out during 2015/16 and outlines the key developments of this past year as MCAST went through the process of its new structure incorporating a University, Technical and Foundation College. The three Colleges have grown and developed during the past year. The Foundation College attracted and retained more students within VET, the Technical College reinforced its work-based learning through apprenticeships and the University College developed the degree programmes, introduced cross-curricular courses and is preparing to introduce Masters programmes at Level 7.
During the past academic year the College also saw the development of the new campus, the acquisition of new resources and the upgrading of the curriculum. It also strengthened its corporate functions to ensure high standards of educational quality assurance and a consistent curriculum throughout MCAST as well as research and innovation. It also worked on strengthening the stu- dent support services, on a strong corporate administrative function and the development of a Capital Projects office to continue the development of the MCAST New Campus Project.
During the past year the College has been a critical player in bridging the vocational world with industry. This has been done by introducing the work-based learning in a number of programmes at MQC Level 3 and MQC Level 4. In its goal to reach out to industry MCAST signed around 50 Memorandum of Understanding with both the public and private sectors.
MCAST presented excerpts from its audited accounts for 2015 which show its finances on a strong sustainable footing, despite the new initiatives it has embarked on.
Strategic Direction for 2017-2020
MCAST presented its Strategic Direction for 2017-2020. The College is aiming to work towards becoming an inclusive, attractive and highly effective Institution of Further and Higher Education that contributes directly to the economic and social development of the country while ensuring that all students experience an education journey – thus ensuring a clear transition from school-bench to work-bench.
The Foundation College aims to provide the opportunity for students to succeed through vocational programmes for employability or further education. This will be achieved through the enhancement of the pedagogical aspects, the increase of outreach towards compulsory education and ensuring higher diversity in curricular activities. The Technical College will continue to be an incubator for Industry, preparing students to enter the world of employment. It aims to emphasise higher relevance to programmes in line with Industry needs and the employability of students from all areas. The University College strives to continue to strengthen its degree programmes at level 6 and 7. It is implementing cross curricular course structure, adopting an internationalization strategy, reaching out towards industry and spearheading Applied Research through the Centre for Energy and the Environment, the Centre for Water Research, the Centre for Assisted Living Engineering and the Centre for Vocational Education Research. The College is reinforcing its Student Support Services by increasing the resources within the Student Support Unit.
MCAST is investing and working towards its internationalization through Applied Research in collaboration with established international institutions and joint programmes to prepare students in the mod- ern global economy and thus attract further foreign students. It is also working on increasing opportunities for international exchange for students and staff and more co-operation agreements.
The College is focusing on increasing the portfolio of it commercial arm MCAST Gateway to Industry Ltd (MG2i) by developing new programmes in Life Long Learning, accrediting programmes at Diploma/ Degree Masters and introducing more professional development programmes. It is working on the internationalization of MG2i through the Training and Professional Development Programmes and joint-venture opportunities in different vocational areas.
Within the next years the College will be implementing Phase II of the Master Plan which includes the Engineering Village, the Resource Centre and the Institute of ICT.