Education Minister Clifton Grima has launched a new scholarship aimed at supporting students pursuing a post-secondary course leading to the Matriculation Certificate, while also undergoing structured training in their chosen sports discipline at the Mediterranean College of Sport (MCS).
The scheme is administered by the Scholarships Unit within the Ministry, a statement on Thursday said.
Grima said that the Ministry is committed to improving and expanding the existing scholarship system to support more students and ease the financial burden on families and students, especially in cases where students are pursuing their academic ambitions alongside their chosen sport.
He said that the Ministry recognised the need to support students who are following a post-secondary Matriculation Certificate course alongside a high-performance sports programme based in Malta.
To date, the only institution offering this dual pathway is the Mediterranean College of Sport (MCS), which will serve as the training base for high-performance student-athletes aiming to excel and compete at an international level.
The scholarship scheme has been established to finance tuition fees for eligible students attending this institution, covering tuition for each year over a period of two academic years.
The scheme will be awarded to the first 20 eligible students on the final ranking list.
The statement said that students who successfully complete the programme will be awarded certification in their chosen sports specialisation and the Matriculation Certificate.
Permanent Secretary within the Ministry Matthew Vella said that through the launch of scholarship schemes like Achieve 360, the Ministry is continuing to emphasise its full commitment to transformation in education.
He said that students who successfully complete the programme will be awarded certification in their sports specialisation along with the Matriculation Certificate.
"The operation of this scholarship is a clear example of an integrated approach showing how the public service and the private sector can work together to offer quality service to students," Vella said.
CEO of the Mediterranean College of Sport Charlo Bonnici said that it was an honour for the Mediterranean College of Sport, in partnership with the Ministry responsible for education and sport in the country, to offer an opportunity to 20 young men and women who wish to specialise in sport while continuing their studies at sixth form level.
"Through these scholarships, the government will greatly assist a number of athletes in football, water polo, swimming, artistic swimming, dance, and karate, helping them continue their educational and sporting journey without difficulty," Bonnici said.
He continued that as an institution that believes every student-athlete is a 'project' in their own right, the MCS is pleased to contribute to the overall growth of sport in the country and to help it bear the desired fruit.
Minister Grima concluded by saying that the work in this sector is strengthening the sports sector in Malta.
"This not only leads to broader international recognition with positive economic benefits, but also encourages the regular practice of sport and physical activity across the country, resulting in overall improvements in the health and well-being of the entire population," Grima said.
Applications for this scheme open on 17 July, and all information can be found on the website https://myscholarship.gov.mt/.