President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca this morning opened the MCAST Expo 2015 and launched the new Prospectus for full-time courses starting in October 2015.

The new Prospectus contains detailed information about MCAST’s 163 full-time courses beginning in October, ranging from introductory certificate courses to higher national diploma and degree programmes. This year the College is offering twelve new courses including six degree programmes. For the first time MCAST will be introducing the new vocational area of “Performing Arts”. The Institute for Creative Arts will in fact be launching the MCAST Diploma in Performing Arts, with the aim of developing other performing arts courses in subsequent years.  The same institute is also offering new degree courses, namely, the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Game Art and Visual Design, the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Photography, the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Product Design and the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Spatial Design.

The Institute of Applied Sciences is introducing the MCAST Certificate in Pre-Nursing, the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Chemical Technology and the Bachelor of Science (Honours) Health Science (Physiological Measurements). The Institute of Information and Communication Technology is launching the MCAST Advanced Diploma in IT (End User Support), the MCAST Advanced Diploma in IT (Multimedia Software Development) and the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Multimedia Software Development.

Students that have successfully completed the MCAST Certificate in Vocational Skills offered under the Pathway to Independent Living Programme now have the opportunity to further their studies and enrol for a new course entitled MCAST Traineeship Award in Vocational Studies (Hospitality Studies/ Office Skills/ Production and Retail).

Besides these above-mentioned new full-time courses on offer the College has embarked on major structural changes that will benefit the student. It has introduced three new colleges under the MCAST umbrella namely the Foundation College, the Technical College and the University College. This new structure will enable each College to create focused strategies that address the specific needs of students at each level while maintaining a healthy dialogue with all interested stakeholders in order to provide the best programmes for the needs of the local economy and society.

Prospective students, particularly young individuals who have just completed secondary (Form 5) or post-secondary (Sixth Form) education, are invited to collect their copy of the 2015/2016 Full-Time Courses Prospectus and the Application Form while visiting the EXPO.

After the EXPO, the Prospectus and the Application Form will also be available from the MCAST Main Campus in Paola, from the MCAST institutes in Mosta, Naxxar, Qormi and Kalkara, from the MCAST Gozo Campus in Ghajnsielem and from all local council offices.

The College will also be launching the Interactive Prospectus, a dynamic tool to help current and prospective students explore the College's full-time courses starting in October.
The Interactive Prospectus is based on the 2015/16 MCAST Full-Time Courses Prospectus and also includes additional information about each course, as well as various interactive features. Prospective students will be able to go through the list of courses and compare their entry requirements, descriptions, units as well as the learning outcomes and career opportunities on offer.

MCAST EXPO 2015

The fourth edition of the MCAST EXPO, a four-day event aimed at offering visitors a taste of the MCAST learning experience is being held between Wednesday 24 and Saturday 27 June 2015 at the Institute of Applied Sciences, MCAST Main Campus, in Paola.

Students, lecturers, career advisers, support staff as well as different industry sectors will be available under one roof to help visitors discover different aspects related to the College’s full-time and part-time courses, student support services available at MCAST as well as career and employment opportunities.

Through the continued support of industry, government and vocational education and training providers, the MCAST EXPO has been revised and presented in a new format. The main aim is to increase awareness of the need for continuous education and training to all age groups, with particular reference to students interested in vocational education.

During the EXPO, MCAST’s six institutes and the Gozo Campus will be encouraging visitors to engage in enjoyable hands-on activities to experience different career paths in several industrial sectors. The Institutes will also be hosting representatives of major local employers to give details about current and upcoming employment and entrepreneurial opportunities. Visitors can also meet MCAST students and discover more about their projects and innovations. The College’s student support staff will be at hand to provide advice to prospective students and answer any queries about MCAST’s courses.

The MCAST EXPO opening times on Wednesday 24, Thursday 25 and Friday 26 June are between 10:00hrs and 20:00hrs. On Saturday 27, the EXPO will be open between 10:00hrs and 13:00hrs. 

INFORMATION TALKS

Each Institute will be holding specific information talks for individuals aspiring to follow any of the full-time courses on offer.

Institute of Applied Sciences
Date: 26 June       Venue: IAS Auditorium, MCAST Main Campus  Time: 18:30hrs – 19:30hrs

Institute of Applied Sciences - Centre for Agriculture, Aquatics and Animal Sciences    

Date: 26 June       Venue: IAS Auditorium, MCAST Main Campus  Time: 19:30hrs –20:30 hrs

Institute for the Creative Arts
Date: 25 June       Venue: IAS Auditorium, MCAST Main Campus  Time: 18:30hrs – 19:30hrs

Institute of Engineering and Transport – Mechanical                                                                

Date: 24 June       Venue: IAS Auditorium, MCAST Main Campus  Time: 17:30hrs – 18:30hrs

Institute of Engineering and Transport – Electrical and Electronics
Date: 24 June       Venue: IAS Auditorium, MCAST Main Campus  Time: 18:30hrs – 19:30hrs

Institute of Engineering and Transport – Building and Construction                                                            

Date: 24 June       Venue: IAS Auditorium, MCAST Main Campus  Time: 19:30hrs – 20:30hrs

Institute of Engineering and Transport – Maritime
Date: 25 June       Venue: Villa Portelli, Marina Street, Kalkara  Time: 17:30hrs – 18:30hrs

Institute of Business Management and Commerce                                                                 

Date: 26 June       Venue: IAS Auditorium, MCAST Main Campus  Time: 17:30hrs – 18:30hrs

Institute of Community Services                                                                                                    

Date: 25 June       Venue: IAS Auditorium, MCAST Main Campus  Time: 17:30hrs – 18:30hrs

Institute of Information and Communication Technology                                                                  

Date: 25 June       Venue: IAS Auditorium, MCAST Main Campus  Time: 18:30hrs – 19:30hrs

Gozo Campus
Date: 23 June       Venue: Ghajnsielem Primary School Hall, Ghajnsielem, Gozo.                Time: 10:00hrs – 11:00hrs

Pathway to Independent Living Programme
Date: 26 June       Venue: Student House                 Time: 10:30hrs – 11:30hrs

Further information and personal career advice can be obtained from the College’s career advisers on [email protected] or 2398 7135/6.