Global College Rector, Professor Brian Smart, welcomed a number of stakeholders, students, VIP’s, dignitaries, collaborators and assistants to a networking event held within the recently completed campus. Professor Smart hosted a relaxed evening of fabulous food and drinks, as well as many discussions about the latest changes at Global College Malta, Malta's newest tertiary education centre. Everyone in attendance had a great time, with invitees that included MP's, SmartCity colleagues, the higher education sector in Malta, and the companies that support Global College Malta’s operations. Amongst the attendees was the committee of Xaghjra Football Club, whose tireless volunteers have built the footballing community in the region, with Global College Malta being one of the sponsors.
The lucky guests were treated to a spectacular fountain display put on by SmartCity Malta, who employed lasers, coloured lights and the latest water-technology to animate the laguna in front of Global College Malta campus, an unexpected treat for all the guests attending this milestone event.
Located at SmartCity, Global College Malta offers a sophisticated state-of the art learning environment and gives students the opportunity to study alongside and share cross-cultural insights with people from diverse countries. In this environment students will be trained to become leaders and managers in a variety of business and IT sectors, including the specialist Oil & Gas arena, for both global and local markets. Global College Malta is the first European College offering university degrees according to British standards at SmartCity.
Professor Smart, FREng, FRSE, FIMMM, CEng is the Rector of Global College Malta (GCM). Formerly Head of the Institute of Petroleum Engineering at Heriot-Watt University, and Vice Principal with responsibility for the Heriot-Watt University Dubai Campus, he and his GCM colleagues share a vision for the future of Malta in the oil and gas industry. The vision is that Malta will become recognised as a “centre of excellence” in the Mediterranean for the educational and technical services required by the industry.
In beginning to deliver this vision, GCM is progressively creating a portfolio of oil and gas services comprising relevant post-graduate and under-graduate university degree courses, specialist short courses related to the continuous professional development (CPD) of professionals and consultancy services.
This portfolio is being developed in partnership with internationally-respected institutions, organisations and industry professionals. GCM will use its network of partners to establish and foster mutually beneficial relationships with companies operating in the Mediterranean region, hence attracting participants and students to Malta from the region and beyond.
GCM is commencing oil and gas postgraduate degree courses through its partnership with Robert Gordon University (RGU) in Aberdeen, Scotland. These UK and Malta accredited MSc courses are effectively conversion courses, applicants requiring a good first degree in an engineering or related subject. Some oil industry experience is required for the Production and Drilling Engineering courses. The courses will be delivered in blended format with one week of face-to-face lectures by RGU staff in GCM, followed by on-line support provided by the same staff using RGU’s CampusMoodle service, as well as residential support from GCM staff. GCM will also offer its own MBA with oil and gas content.
Global College Malta is collaborating with and representing highly respected international universities to act as an important education hub. Through Global College Malta’s services, cutting-edge institutions such as Wharfdale Technologies have started teaching and adding to the knowledge-base on the Islands, which is set to become one of the top destinations for students due to its strategic position and its high level of proficiency in English language, becoming a high-value-added education hub at the centre of the Mediterranean with Global College focused on British style education in key sectors such as Oil & Gas, Management and IT (Cloud Computing).
Rector of Global College, Professor Brian Smart said that the first term in Malta had been very encouraging, "We launch our programme with Robert Gordon University in early January 2014, and this marks Global College Malta’s primary reputation in this market in the field of Oil & Gas, based solely on our provenance in this field, where we have a global track-record of achievement. We have settled our first students in this term and look at building on these solid foundations. I am also looking forward to hosting another event in Malta soon, it was most gratifying to see so many of our friends coming together this evening for a celebration of Christmas values.”