The animal hospital in Ta’ Qali has been renovated and equipped with modern equipment so that, in the near future, it can also be used by MCAST students who are following the veterinary course, which is now being offered in Malta, while also continuing to serve as an animal hospital, the Education Ministry said in a statement on Thursday.
The Minister for Education and Sport, Byron Camilleri, together with MCAST officials, visited the final works currently being carried out at the animal hospital so that, from the next academic year, it can begin to serve for the practical training of students following courses leading to a Master of Science in Veterinary Medicine and a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Animal Management and Veterinary Nursing.
“With this animal hospital, we are investing in the infrastructure required for MCAST to provide clinical and practical training in veterinary services of the highest level. In this way, we ensure that students gain practical and professional experience in veterinary care, from diagnostic procedures to surgical interventions on animals,” Minister Camilleri said.
Minister Camilleri said that MCAST’s cooperation with the University of Barcelona for these courses has continued to strengthen, to the extent that the first group of Maltese students were also given the opportunity to undertake one month of clinical training at the University of Barcelona.
Minister Camilleri said that, until a few years ago, these educational programmes were not offered in Malta, and it was through the Government’s commitment that MCAST gained the necessary professional expertise to offer these opportunities.
This hospital will, in fact, form an integral part of the students’ training, particularly as they progress through the five-year MSc and the clinical component of the programme increases. The facility will allow them to work under supervision with animals and real clinical cases, and gain experience in diagnostic procedures, treatments, as well as medical and surgical interventions. In this way, the scientific knowledge acquired during their studies can be put into practice in a clinical environment.
The Minister explained that demand for these services is continually increasing, while he noted with satisfaction the good number of students who are already following these courses and the larger number who applied for them this year.
MCAST Principal and Chief Executive Stephen Vella reiterated that “as we prepare for a new academic year, we want to continue creating new opportunities for our students. Our investment in veterinary studies is part of this commitment, by giving students the opportunity to study, train and gain practical experience in Malta, while preparing themselves for a profession that our country needs.”
The first group of students of the Master of Science in Veterinary Medicine will graduate from MCAST in 2029 and will be able to obtain a professional warrant that will be recognised both in Malta and in European Union countries.