The Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) launched its new prospectus yesterday, which includes two new full-time courses.

Launching the prospectus, Education, Youth and Employment Minister Louis Galea said: “This is the seventh prospectus that MCAST has published since its launch in October 2001. Since then the college has expanded to incorporate nine institutes as well as the Gozo Centre”.

MCAST is offering 95 full-time courses in Malta and 14 in Gozo, as well as a very wide range of short courses, including European Social Fund courses that are specifically intended for mature students.

The two new full-time courses on offer as from the next academic year are the MCAST diploma for dental surgery assistants and the sheet metal and composite material course.

The diploma for dental surgery assistants is intended to provide students with the necessary theoretical and practical skills to work with and provide assistance to professional dental personnel.

Students are expected to undertake a period of on-the-job training by means of which they will be able to acquaint themselves with modern and specialist equipment in modern dental clinics and hospitals.

The sheet metal and composite material course is designed for individuals who intend to specialise as technicians in the aircraft maintenance business.

Apart from all the courses leading to a diploma, training in the trades still exists in the form of foundation courses. Students can join a foundation course without certification.

Those wanting to join these courses must sit for an aptitude test. Of the 600 students who sat for the test last year, more than 75 per cent passed.

Those who are interested in joining any of the courses on offer may collect a copy of the prospectus from the Information and Support Centre, MCAST Main Campus, Corradino Hill, Paola, or from any local council office.

Digital copies may also be obtained from www.mcast.edu.mt All school-leavers will be receiving a letter, by means of which they will be given information about the prospectus that has just been launched.

Minister Galea urged students and their parents to have a look at what the college has to offer and attend the information meetings that the college will be organising.

The college also provides guidance services to prospective students to help them make the right choices. Those interested may phone on 2398-7100 or send an email to [email protected] to arrange an appointment.

Applications will be received between Monday, 23 July and Friday, 27 July as follows:

• Monday, 23 July – applicants with surnames A to B

• Tuesday, 24 July – applicants with surnames C to F

• Wednesday, 25 July – applicants with surnames G to P

• Thursday, 26 July – applicants with surnames Q to Z

Applicants who wish to apply for courses held in Malta, and who during the week for receiving applications will be residing in Gozo, can submit their application at the Gozo Centre in Xaghra.

Applications will be received between 8.30am and 12.30pm. Any applicants who are unable to submit their application on the above dates, may do so on Friday, 27 July between 8.30am and 12.30pm.

Applicants may ask another person to submit their application on their behalf as long as the application is signed by the applicant and includes all the necessary documents as specified in the prospectus.

Minister Galea said these were interesting times for MCAST, as it continues to grow and develop into a centre of excellence in the vocational education sector.

The college will now enter a new phase of development as a new Lm50 million campus will be constructed, he said, adding that the government wants to double the number of students at MCAST and university in the coming years.

“Although this is a great challenge, we take heart from the achievements obtained so far. MCAST is fast becoming the second pillar of Malta’s higher education sector,” said Dr Galea.

In his concluding remarks, Dr Galea said that prospective students should use this time of the year to inform themselves well with regard to the opportunities available and make use of the guidance available to make informed decisions.