Higher Education & Training Development by The Malta Independent

HIGHER EDUCATION & TRAINING DEVELOPMENT 28 February 2019

Ensuring quality Higher Education EVARIST BARTOLO Minister for Education and Employment Two leading higher education institutions in our country, namely the University of Malta and Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology, have evolved and progressed over the years to provide the best educational experience in imparting knowledge.

The ultimate test of education is preparing our young people for the real world. Along with degree and diploma certificates, these institutions provide students with a critical attitude to be able to solve problems in society. Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology is a learning institution at all levels of the Malta Qualifications Framework, including higher education. It developed as the labour market changed over the years and it is warranting qualifications in all aspects of employment. Basic, technical and professional skills determine a person’s sustainability in a job; it is for this reason that this vocational college has been an important player in Malta’s extraordinary economic and social growth. I am pleased to note that in autumn last year MCAST launched for consultation a strategic plan to take the College forward for the next three years. It identified the need to strengthen quality and relevance, work-based learning, the image and esteem of vocational and professional education and training as well as providing incentives for the development of sustainable innovation across the College. Higher education is the final stage of a person’s initial learning process, that prompts lifelong learning. In a labour market increasingly dominated by technology, artificial intelligence and new job opportunities, a vocational and higher education college must invest heavily in skills that enable Malta’s workforce to meet the challenges of a labour market in constant flux. As automation will largely dominate sectors such as healthcare, transportation, agriculture, communications, finance and the law young and older learners are aware that jobs will be lost but, equally, new jobs will emerge. A vocational and professional college that focuses on quality and relevance pledges a focused approach, concentrating primarily on work-based learning, particularly apprenticeship programmes. Moving towards apprenticeship degrees is the next step that MCAST will take in the coming years. This will inevitably uplift the image of vocational and professional education and training among learners and workers as well as employers and other stakeholders. Over the years MCAST has become the road to employment. With this development in higher vocational education, the College will remain Malta’s gateway to professional employability, responding to the demands of today’s and tomorrow’s labour market. The investment the College is making in applied and impact research is noteworthy. Lecturing staff across the College are being given the opportunity to raise their professional capacity and to venture in research projects at national and international levels. A new internationalisation plan will also see the College stirring its influence beyond the boundaries of Europe. While MCAST continues

to invest in its social dimension, empowering learners that enrol in its programmes, its higher education and research vocation is equally important. In a working environment in which computers and machines are solving problems and increasingly efficiency, vocational and apprenticeship degrees will be in greater demand in many sectors. Striking a balance when resourcing basic, technical and professional skills is the next challenge for MCAST. It may have a 250-year history but the University of Malta has an eye to the future and is currently going through a Strategic Planning Process to update its vision for the next decade. A Strategic Development Forum for external stakeholders has been organised, including a series of eight Fora for around 15,000 members of the University Community. Consequently, they have organised a Forum for

high-level executives in private companies, top consulting firms as well as government agencies and Ministries. The strategic plan will determine goals and a roadmap of how to achieve them. Core strategic themes reflect educational and academic objectives that will help the UoM sustain and develop further its position as a world class education provider. Core strategic themes include teaching and learning; research and knowledge transfer; societal impact; enterprise and industrial impact; the international outlook and sustainability. Impacts are of extreme importance and components that were used to initiate discussion include cultural heritage, economic impact, national competences and capabilities as well as the Maltese language. Continues on page 3

HIGHER EDUCATION & TRAINING DEVELOPMENT

MCAST: the students’ road to employment The Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) is committed to providing universally accessible vocational and professional education and training with an international dimension, responsive to the needs of the individual and the economy. MCAST is engaged in a constant consultation process with industry stakeholders to upgrade the quality of its programmes and ensure they reflect the latest best practices and technologies required for students to achieve a successful career. Prospective students are able to choose from 195 full-time courses in six institutes, providing learners with a wide variety of learning experiences, and the possibility to climb up the ladder of qualifications. The six MCAST Institutes namely the Institute of Applied Sciences, the Institute for the Creative Arts, the Institute of Engineering and Transport, the Institute of Business Management and Commerce, the Institute of Community Services, the Institute of Information and Communication Technology and the Gozo Campus, provide all the technical and professional expertise towards the delivery of the programmes at the college. MCAST offers higher education programmes and vocational degrees in close collaboration with industry in order to provide professionals that are both academically prepared and well-trained. The BA (Hons) Business

Enterprise, offered at the Institute for Business, Management and Commerce, provides students with a solid base of different business areas, ranging from project management to human resources, operations management and marketing. The degree allows students to be as versatile as possible when entering the business world, having the necessary skills and competences to work in a variety of roles. The BSc (Hons) Financial Services Management, on the other hand, prepares student to work in a number of different sectors within financial services. Students eventually find careers in a range of areas including fund management, risk management, compliance, and banking. A relatively new degree programme launched three years ago is the BA (Hons) in Journalism, run by the Institute for the Creative Arts. The sector offers exciting new career opportunities for individuals who are keen to learn and who would like to offer a much needed service to society. Students learn how to effectively analyse and report the events that shape our lives. They are guided to design, develop and produce news content

using the latest audio-visual technologies and recording devices – and how to present their work in a variety of formats such as print, radio, television and on digital platforms. The graduates from MCAST’s Bachelor of Engineering courses are now entitled to an engineering warrant. At various levels students at the Institute of Engineering and Transport delve into maritime, electronic, electrical, mechanical, automotive and aviation engineering. MCAST encourages more students to enrol in its vast portfolio of courses in order to be able to satisfy the industry needs: from manufacturing, to electronic components, aviation maintenance, power generation and clean energy. The Centre for Maritime Studies, also part of the Institute of Engineering and Transport, offers training programmes for students wishing to embark on a seafaring career. Prospective students can choose from one of the study programmes that prepare deck officers to work on super yachts as well as on large ships, including merchant shipping vessels. At the Institute of Applied Sciences, state of the art

laboratories are used by students from four main scientific areas that include health sciences, chemical science, food technology and environmental engineering. Graduates from the institute take up professional work as nurses, industrial laboratory scientists in the pharmaceutical industry, production line technicians in food processing plants, and as energy and waste management managers in various industrial contexts. The Institute of ICT enables graduates at technician and at graduate level to work in a plethora of employment sectors, enabling companies from a wide range of economic sectors to have reliable IT systems that facilitate internal operations management as well as communication with the client base. The Institute of Community Services offers an array of courses,

including the BA (Hons) in Health and Social Care (Management), BSc (Hons) in Sport, Exercise and Health, and the BA (Hons) in Inclusive Education, which are increasingly popular with students and equally important for industry needs. In addition to this, the Applied Research Unit within MCAST works towards establishing new knowledge and exploring the feasibility of a new or improved technology, products, processes, services or solutions. Research within professional higher education at MCAST will serve to provide new knowledge and not reproduction, a solving of real world problems, a process of learning translating into new teaching, and a cycle of collaborating and disseminating findings, solutions and new understandings.

Equinox Academy Your Partner in Professional Training In today’s highlycompetitive business environment, human resources, together with IT and business infrastructure assets play a critical role in contributing to the success of the business or to its’ lacklusture performance.

Equinox Academy is a training services provider licensed as a Further and Higher Education Institution by the Maltese National Council for Further & Higher Education (NCFHE). Equinox Academy’s training is targeted, interactive and relevant, focusing on the behaviours necessary for the achievement of business objectives. We aim to deliver measurable performance improvement, and support our work with deep knowledge of measurement and evaluation of learning. Equinox Academy conducts an industry survey every 3 years, on the basis of which it realigns its courses, scraps those that have become irrelevant and puts together new ones where new demand patterns have been identified. Our July 2018 findings clearly show a continuation of several major trends that we had observed in 2015, chief among which is a growing skills-gap, as well as the rise of a few new ones. It is very evident that the obligatory education institution framework in Malta and in several other countries is not preparing students anywhere close to well-enough to be able to meet the demands being placed on them by modern work environments. Employers are

increasingly struggling to find the right talent and if they manage to do so, they then struggle to retain it as market prices for ‘the right’ people keep going up at an unrelenting speed. It is in this ambit that we have revamped our existing training programmes, ensuring that the latest developments in the subject areas of the training programmes have been adequately dealt with, and will be launching our new courses together with a new website and a state-of-the-art e-learning environment next month to fill in some newly-identified market requirements. Our courses in Microsoft PowerBI, Microsoft Excel, GDPR, Anti Money Laundering and Project Management remain our bestsellers, but with a plethora of courses being launched next month in Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, 5G and the Internet of Things, we shall be ensuring that Equinox Academy remains as relevant for and as helpful to businesses in the coming decade as it has been over the past years. At Equinox Academy, you will find a team of specialists passionate about their work and with a common ambition to share with – and to guide and lead learning experiences for – professionals or aspiring professionals. Equinox Academy’s training and educational services take a holistic view of the field in which the training is being

provided and cover training needs analyses and learning styles assessments where necessary, together with the provision of the training courses themselves. We also assist organisations in the application for funding of training courses from sources available at that point in time. Our ability to combine training and subject matter expertise across systems and processes allows us focus on improving operational performance. Therefore, our solutions often go beyond ‘training’. We understand that performance is influenced by a combination of factors, and we seek to influence them as broadly as possible. Most of our solutions represent a blended approach to learning, reflecting our belief that only the right mix of media, tailored to the audience, will result in behavioural change that can bring about performance improvement. All of our trainers are qualified, experienced professionals in various fields. Most of them have lecturing appointments at world-class universities. They are also regularly invited to deliver speeches in international conferences and seminars. If you would like to see how we can be of help or would like to request a prospectus for the 2019-2020 intakes, please get in touch on info@equinoxadvisory.com .

HIGHER EDUCATION & TRAINING DEVELOPMENT

MCAST Cruising to Higher Education Qualifications PROFESSOR JOACHIM JAMES CALLEJA Principal/CEO When I first joined MCAST in 2001 the urgent need to rebuild vocational education and training could hardly allow me to imagine that one day the College would award higher education qualifications through its vocational stream. Over the years, my experience in setting up the Malta Qualifications Council, as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for Education and Employment and at the helm of the EU agency CEDEFOP converted me in a strong believer in higher vocational qualifications within a two pronged system. MCAST’s social mission is to ensure that no school leaver ends up marginalised in society because he lacks the skills and the competences to retain employment. At the other end of the spectrum, it is inevitable that vocational qualifications must also lead to professional and higher education levels. At the beginning of the Fourth Industrial Revolution employment trends are clearly showing that the speed in the development of technology and in particular artificial intelligence will disrupt more than 7 million jobs worldwide but will also gain over 2 million new jobs in computer, mathematical, architecture and engineering related fields. Manufacturing and production roles are also expected to further downsizing but there is also high potential for upskilling, reskilling and redeployment employees. We are also aware of the fact that 65% of children entering primary schools since 2016 may ultimately end up working in completely new job types that do not exist today. The world is experiencing a race for talent at all levels of the labour market but more importantly at jobs that require wise hands. Businesses, governments and nongovernmental organisation look for talent that is capable of analytical thinking and manually accomplishing targeted quality objectives. Educational institutions and businesses are also that due to rapid changes in the world of work, there will never be again ready-made human capital coming out of schools, colleges and universities. Lifelong learning is the only way people can retain jobs and careers. MCAST is fully aware of these developments. Over the last eighteen years, successive policy leaders, managers and lecturing staff at the College have worked ceaselessly to ensure that MCAST grows and learners achieve knowledge, skills and competences relevant to Malta’s economic and social growth. The initial foreign VET qualifications contributed to MCAST’s home-grown higher degrees at Bachelor and Masters’ programmes. Apprenticeship degrees and Doctoral programmes are now among the key

MCAST’s social mission is to ensure that no school leaver ends up marginalised in society because he lacks the skills and the competences to retain employment.

short-term goals of the College. MCAST has responded in real time to developments in Malta in the pharmaceutical sector, IT, aircraft maintenance, and is doing the same today to developments in artificial intelligence, the care industry and in financial services. Tertiary education (from diplomas to doctorates) is progressively becoming the key to many career paths today. At MCAST, qualifications are flexible and innovative enabling lifelong learning. This approach is important both for deepening skills and re-skilling (even at professional levels) as old occupations disappear and new ones evolve. The evolution of MCAST as it continues to move into higher education is paving the future of work in Malta. Businesses are defining MCAST as the road to employment. Many parents and young learners are making MCAST their first choice. With the new development of My Journey in secondary education, MCAST will become the natural home of those students who wish to combine theory with practice, continuous assessment with formal examinations and

learning with working. MCAST provides work-based learning mostly in the form of apprenticeships in a wide range of qualifications many of which lead to well-paid jobs. The quality of MCAST’s qualifications is being matched with state-of-the-art infrastructural buildings and equipment. By Spring this year, a new building for Engineering will be opened; by 2020 two additional buildings will host information technology and research and innovation resources. Gradually the Paola Campus will become a hub of vocational and professional qualifications led by industry, the economic development of Malta and the goal to qualify all learners. Plans are also in hand to open up the College to its nearby community and to enable its students to practice their citizenship and social responsibility in different ways. MCAST is at once a school, a college and a higher education institution. The ongoing consultation on its strategic goals for 2019-2021 will redefine MCAST in an educational institution for all vocational and professional talents.

UoM looking at how it can serve the country better It may have a 250-year history but the University of Malta has an eye to the future and is currently going through a Strategic Planning Process to update its vision for the next decade. A Strategic Development Forum for external stakeholders has been organised, including a series of eight Fora for around 15,000 members of the University Community. Consequently, they have organised a Forum for high-level executives in private companies, top consulting firms as well as government agencies and Ministries. The strategic plan will determine goals and a roadmap of how to achieve them.

Continued from page 1 The UoM is also looking at how it can serve the country better. Strategic development processes for the whole country and the sustainability of the kind of society that Malta needs were among the core and enabling strategies present in the plans of higher education institutions. This initiative is most commendable, and we must make practical use of this consultation process. Academics who only talk among themselves are letting themselves down

and letting society down. We must apply the four pillars of education – learning to know, learning to be, learning to do and learning to live together - at all times. The continuous process of education has to be a holistic one, reaching out to all with a clear direction. The one-sizefits-all standardised model is slowly fading away as we move towards a more personalised and diversified approach. I believe that an education model needs to be based on a teaching experience that is diversified and respectful of all students’ needs.

HIGHER EDUCATION & TRAINING DEVELOPMENT KEY INFROMATION & REQUIREMENTS EXIT POINT: Level 7 Post-Graduate Certificate at 30 ECTS YEAR 1

MASTER OF MASTER OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN SCIENCE IN SCIENCE IN ENVIRONMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL MECHATRONICS UC7-E7-18 The MSc in Environmental Engineering shall provide candidates with the necessary knowledge and skills that relate to areas such as global cycles, biogeochemistry, sustainable technologies, waste and water treatment, environmental pollution assessment and remediation, and natural hazard. A special focus on environmental auditing and impact assessment shall be made, particularly in water, energy and traffic auditing. Year 1 – Semesters 1 & 2: 1. Introduction to Environmental Engineering 2. Environmental Impact Assessment 3. Environmental and Soil Science 4. Ecosystem Analysis and Management 5. Energy Efficiency and the Environment Year 2 – Semesters 3 & 4: 6. Marine Pollution 7. Renewable Energy Technologies 8. Air Pollution and Monitoring 9. Sustainable Urban Transport 10. Electives: Water Resources or Water Contamination Year 3 – Semester 5: Dissertation

UC7-E8-18 The MSc in High Performance Buildings (HPB) gives candidates the opportunity to develop optimized building concepts, integrating various components of holistic design methodology, building physics, building climatology and comfort, energyefficiency, environmental sources, building services systems, building aerodynamics, thermal and fluid dynamic CFD simulations, lighting design, building operation, as well as green urban modelling. Year 1 – Semesters 1 & 2: 1. High Performance Building (HPB) Design Approach 2. Building Climatology 3. Building Energy 4. Building Aerodynamics 5. Energy and Climate Dynamic Building Simulations Year 2 – Semesters 3 & 4: 6. Aerodynamic Building Simulations 7. High-Performance High-Rise Buildings 8. High Performance Settlements (HPS) 9. Project 1 – Building Design Project (HPB) 10. Project 2 – Settlement Design Project (HPS)

UC7-E8-18 The MSc in Mechatronics provides candidates with a broad range of knowledge and skills in the field of automation and control of production processes and equipment, as well as in the field of mechatronic devices and systems control. It focuses on the study of network technologies (Ethernet, Industrial Protocol, Profinet, Modbus, Profibus, Devicenet, Control Net), and the development of SCADA systems. Year 1 – Semesters 1 & 2: 1. Mechanisms and Machine Design 2. Mechatronic System Design 3. Control Systems Technology 4. Signals and Systems 5. Industrial Robot Design and Control Year 2 – Semesters 3 & 4: 6. Practical Control and Applications in Mechatronic Systems 7. Software Design and Analysis 8. Computational Modelling and Simulation of Dynamic Systems 9. Industrial Robot Programming and Applications 10. 3D Technologies in Mechatronic System Design

develop optimized building concepts, integrating various components of holistic design methodology, building physics, building climatology and comfort, energyefficiency, environmental sources, building services systems, building aerodynamics, thermal and fluid dynamic CFD simulations, lighting design, building operation, as well as green urban modelling. Year 1 – Semesters 1 & 2: 1. High Performance Building (HPB) Design Approach 2. Building Climatology 3. Building Energy 4. Building Aerodynamics 5. Energy and Climate Dynamic Building Simulations Year 2 – Semesters 3 & 4: 6. Aerodynamic Building Simulations 7. High-Performance High-Rise Buildings 8. High Performance Settlements (HPS) 9. Project 1 – Building Design Project (HPB) 10. Project 2 – Settlement Design Project (HPS) Year 3 – Semester 5: Dissertation

UC7-E11-18 The MSc in Product Design develops the artistic and humanistic skills belonging to design culture together with the technical know-how that relates to production technology, materials, and manufacturing costs. It aims to meet the need of operating in a worldwide landscape of heightened competition where the designer can increase the value of a consumer product by creating innovation based on latest technologies and ever-changing consumer lifestyles. Year 1 – Semesters 1 & 2: 1. Product Representation 2. Design Issues 3. Optimisation of Topology and Design 4. Theoretical and Applied Mechanics 5. Mechanical Tests, Models and Prototypes

EXIT POINT: Level 7 Post-Graduate Diploma at 60 ECTS YEAR 2

PG CERT 60 ECTS

EXIT POINT: Masters Degree at 90 ECTS. YEAR 3

Year 3 – Semester 5: Dissertation

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN HIGH PERFORMANCE MASTER OF BUILDINGS ARTS IN UC7-E13-18 PRODUCT The MSc in High Performance Buildings DESIGN (HPB) gives candidates the opportunity to

PG Dip 30 ECTS

MASTERS 90 ECTS

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN EXERCISE AND SPORTS SCIENCE UC7-E10-18 The MSc in Exercise and Sport Science provides essential foundations from the bases of physiology, biomechanics, motor behavior, and psychology. Using the social ecological approach to addressing the needs for health and human performance for the workforce in Malta, the program recognizes societal needs, introduces evidence-based strategies for intervention, and evaluates the impact of these services on health outcomes and productivity. Year 1 – Semesters 1 & 2: 1. Fundamentals of Exercise & Sports Science 2. Applied Psychology in Fitness, Exercise and Health 3. Exercise Physiology 4. Research Methods in Exercise & Sports Science 5. Principles of Wellness Coaching

Year 2 – Semesters 3 & 4: 6. Principles of Product Design 7. Product Design Studio 8. Human-Centred Product Design 9. Internet of Things (IoT) 10. Culture and Communication

Year 2 – Semesters 3 & 4: 6. Exercise Prescription and Therapy 7. Advanced Assessment and Interpretation for Human Performance 8. Advanced Sport Performance Training Techniques 9. Planning for Community-Level Interventions 10. Multidisciplinary Work

Year 3 – Semester 5: Dissertation

All Masters are at EQF Level 7 - 90 ECTS. Candidates may choose to exit and re-enter their programme at a number of exit points, as shown above. All programmes will run on a blended learning format, with approximately 30% via eLearning modules, and the remainder via weekend sessions that run on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings. Entry Requirements: To gain admission, the applicant is required to have a relevant first degree in related areas of study that include, but are not limited to, the following areas: • Business, Management, Commerce for UC7-E7-18, UC7-E8-18, UC7-E10-18. • Engineering, Information Technologies, Communication for UC7-E7-18, UC7-E818, UC7-E11-18, UC7-E12-18, UC7-E13-18. • Health, Sports for UC7-E10-18. • Environmental studies, Product Design for UC7-E7-18, UC7-E8-18, UC7-E11-18. How to Apply: Candidates may register interest by sending their CV and a copy of relevant certificates/transcripts to University.College@mcast.edu.mt. Applications close off on the 15th March 2019. Further Information at: mcast.edu.mt:8223/rfm/source/Prospectus /Booklet%20MCAST%20Masters%202018_ 19.pdf or email your query to University.College@mcast.edu.mt or call on +356 2398 7176

HIGHER EDUCATION & TRAINING DEVELOPMENT

My Journey The Ministry for Education and Employment challenged the one-size-fits-all schooling system and as a result, in 2016, published ‘My Journey: Achieving through different routes’. This follows the ‘Framework for Education Strategy for Malta 2014-2024’. The Ministry is proposing to students and educators an equitable quality learning provision in schools that respects the multiple intelligences of all students and provides different learning programmes and different modes of learning assessments according to students’ needs. This is both inclusive and comprehensive, challenging the compulsory one-size-fits-all schooling system. The new secondary schooling system includes the provision of general academic education, vocational education and training and applied learning. It aims to extend and widen the learning experience through programmes that lead to qualifications at MQF Level 3, under the MATSEC examination system and certification. In secondary schools all students will have compulsory lessons in key competences and will also have an opportunity to select academic, vocational and/or applied subjects. The Ministry will, as from next September, be offering to Year 9 students the possibility to choose one or two of the following subjects, as Vocational or Applied pedagogy: Information Technology, Hospitality, Health & Social Care, Engineering Technology, Agribusiness, Retail, Hairdressing & Beauty, Media Literacy and Textiles & Fashion. Students can still also choose academic subjects such as Sciences, Accounting and Business, Humanities, Foreign Languages, Art, Music, etc. Those students who choose the Applied subjects will be taught using the same applied pedagogy for Mathematics, English, Maltese and Science. The vocational

and applied subjects will be taught in newly, refurbished workshops and laboratories using state-of-the-art resources, procured through EU funding. Teachers of various subjects are being further trained to be able to use the applied pedagogy in their lessons. Through this varied choice of subjects and pedagogy, the Ministry is proposing a more equitable quality secondary education which creates a legacy with the past, adapts to the present and tries to anticipate future challenges and opportunities in a globalised world. The intended inclusive and comprehensive equitable quality learning programmes are driven by the values of inclusion, social justice, equity and diversity, and the four main targets of the Framework for Education Strategy for Malta 2014-2024. This evolved education system is also inspired by the philosophy of values-based education, promulgated in the Respect for All document and guided by the Education for All audit report. It is also very much aligned with the UNESCO Sustainable Development Goal 4 in

ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all. The proposed secondary school system is the result of benchmarking what we have against successful systems abroad. All programmes are to remain committed to high standards of learning, which is relevant, effective and timely, while respecting diversity in a strong democracy founded on social justice, equity and economic growth. The Ministry for Education and Employment is seeking to ensure that all children develop into young adults equipped with the necessary skills and attitudes to be active and employable citizens. Global education reforms stress the need for students to learn to adapt to and challenge new contexts, to acquire more transferable skills to avoid skills

www.myjourney.edu.mt

International Faculty for Online Masters in Entrepreneurship STEPHEN P. D’ALESSANDRO M.A. (Mrktg.), B.A. (Hons.) Bus. Mang, FIM, IoD, MCIM Executive Director Advenio eAcademy Elearning is readily available right here and now! It is tried and tested to the benefit of those who are able to change their mindset and focus not on buildings and premises, but on the quality of web-based learning deliverables. The pervasiveness of internet has made it easier to leverage elearning platforms and their deliverables to benefit today’s elearning students. The power of elearning is impressive – it allows participants to follow international learning activities from the comfort of their home or wherever they have reliable internet access. It provides rich content and diverse learning activities, making the whole learning experience more effective. Advenio eAcademy is licensed higher education institution that has been providing elearning courses in entrepreneurship and related subjects for many years. It has provided such programmes locally and internationally since 2012. Amongst the various international programmes it offers is an accredited Masters in Entrepreneurship, the MHEI-ME programme. This is offered in collaboration with five leading European universities.

The flags of all Partner Institutes that are collaborating in this Erasmus+ project and the Official Erasmus+ MHEI-ME Project Leaflets

obsolescence, and to develop a socially just consciousness as a way of being. Malta is investing heavily in its education and training system and is taking measures to modernise curricula, improve teaching quality and promote digital skills. Evidence from the current secondary school system shows that one-size does not fit all as it marginalises learners who struggle and deems to have failed the current provision of the general education curriculum. Compulsory schooling locally is often characterised by learning that is predominantly geared towards successful attainment in examinations, with aims and objectives that are more conducive to academically-oriented education routes. Notwithstanding the contested legitimacy of, and debates revolving on, international assessments there are undeniable findings about our local educational system that we must act upon. In general, the overall rate of basic skills attainment among our children is still very low. We need to increase the number of 10-year olds and 15-year olds who reach international benchmarks in Reading, Mathematics and Science by offering relevant learning programmes and different modes of assessment that facilitate, without usurping, learning.

Representatives of the HEI consortium at the press conference held in Malta in November 2017 to launch the MHEI-ME programme. From left to right:- Ms. Lilla Mária Aldorfainé Czabadai and Dr. Gyorgy Neszmelyi on behalf of Szent István University, Mr. Stephen P. D’Alessandro on behalf of Advenio eAcademy, Prof. Olena Cherniavska on behalf of Poltava University of Economics and Trade, Prof. Jenny Pange on behalf of University of Ioannina and Prof. Radovan Madlenak on behalf of University of Žilina.

An Erasmus+ co-funded Project The partner HEIs in the project come from different countries and include: Greece – University of Ioannina; Hungary – Szent Istvan University; Italy – University of Bari Aldo Moro; Malta – Advenio eAcademy; Slovakia – University of Žilina; and Ukraine – Poltava University of Economics and Trade. These HEIs got together to setup and run this programme as part of their on-going commitment to identify and implement best practices in on-line learning. This project was co-funded by Erasmus+ and has been in development since 2017 with Intake 1 being launched in April 2018. The course structure is based on a learning progression which covers the core competencies required to set-up and grow a business. These include six foundation subjects, each delivered over a five week period. These are followed by three specialist subjects delivered collectively over a fifteen week period. Once the subject course modules are completed, these are followed by an internship in a host organisation in the students’ home country or in the country of any one of the partner HEIs. Students are given work packages in each of the previous nine subject modules and these need to be implemented within the host organisations during their 13

week internship. Once the internship is completed the final stage includes a 26 week period for the development of a research project – a viable business plan. This business plan would address the needs of a new business the student seeks to launch or the growth of an SME business the student is already involved in. The duration of the online programme is 21 months. For more information on the HEI Partners, the MHEI-ME course and most importantly what students think of the course, refer to www.aea.academy Three key benefits The MHEI-ME Masters programme offers three key benefits to participating students:1. The convenience of learning through the use of a state-ofthe-art elearning platform that allows for a combination of self-learning and collaborative learning activities. A particularly useful learning activity is the weekly on-line live workshop tutorial with direct access to senior Faculty. This provides students with the opportunity to address any course content issues in a timely manner, allowing them to proceed with their studies without delay. 2.The peace of mind that the programme is certified by NCFHE the National Commission for Further and Higher Education in Malta at 90 ECTS MQF/EQF credits at Level 7 and will be recognised as such within the EU and other countries which are signatories to the Bologna process. 3.The programme is recognised by the Get Qualified Scheme, so participants will be eligible to get up to 70% of the fees set off again their tax. Course fees are Eur9,990 for the full programme, which with the Get Qualified Scheme end up costing Eur2,997. This initiative ensures that the programme is available at a minimum cost. A number of partial scholarships are also available. Leveraging technology to get a Masters’ qualification Elearning is here to stay. It provides powerful learning tools for those learners who already have a very busy lifestyle. The MHEI-ME is a programme which uses state-of-the-art technologies to deliver face-to-face learning experiences with an international Faculty and student complement. The focus of this programme is to attract entrepreneurs, or would be entrepreneurs, who seek a higher level of competence to enable them to successfully launch or grow their SME operation. By the end of the course, students will acquire a comprehensive set of knowledge, skills and competencies designed specifically to enable them to function effectively as entrepreneurs and small business managers within a European environment.

HIGHER EDUCATION & TRAINING DEVELOPMENT

The MCA offers free eCommerce training programme and the opportunity to attend a fully-expensed conference In a world where consumers are online all the time, businesses can no longer turn a blind eye to changing consumer habits, fastchanging technologies and challenging competitive dynamics, that are re-defining the marketplace. The use of the Internet in Malta continues unabated, with 81% of the population using the internet and most are doing so on a daily basis. This was registered in the latest study that the NSO carried out on the use of ICT by households during 2018. Interestingly, the study also registers a significant 84% of Internet users that access the Internet whilst away from home, with the majority using their smartphone to browse the Internet. Online buying too continues to grow in popularity as 2 out of every 3 internet users order or book products/services over the Internet. Notwithstanding, there is still a degree of resistance to online business operations, as only around 20% of SMEs (excluding microenterprises) engage in eCommerce, as the NSO reported last month. Within such a context, the MCA launched the eBiznify eCommerce Training Programme with the aim to help participants become proficient in eCommerce and equip them with the skills necessary for successfully applying eCommerce in business. It helps participants explore working in an eCommercerelated environment and exploit digital technology to bring a new service/product closer to the market. eBiznify is accredited by the National Commission for Further and Higher Education (NCFHE) and is delivered through a customised eLearning platform. Class-based tutorials complement the online environment providing participants with the opportunity to follow up with tutors and peers. eBiznify eCommerce training programme is ideal for those who are interested in increasing their knowledge of eCommerce and related concepts, and want to further enhance their competence on the development of online services. The programme, offered free of charge, is made up of four core modules and three elective modules of which participants need to select two. The training spans over a period of 12 weeks. Each module comprises six sessions and includes a number of interviews with industry experts and leaders who provide insights on local expertise and best practices. Participants are assessed for each module to attest their ability to apply the theory and concepts in a real world environment. The eBiznify programme provides participants with a holistic overview of the eCommerce ecosystem. It introduces participants to the core concepts and fundamentals of eCommerce and the key challenges of B2C and B2B. It also helps participants to better understand the evolving business environment and the opportunities created by new business models and marketplace structures. Participants are mentored on how to strategise for success, in terms of, infrastructure

requirements, selecting the right technology for one’s business and the challenges of selling online. They are also guided on how to effectively promote an online business, including the development of marketing and digital plans, driving and maintaining internet traffic to websites and using social media to engage with customers. During this training, participants are able to better understand the notion of putting the customer at the centre of a business and on how to engage with the ‘always connected’ consumer. Other related areas addressed include the integration of sales channels for a seamless experience and customer

relationship management. Participants are also mentored on product design and development, order fulfilment, logistics and distribution. Furthermore, the eBiznify programme helps participants to familiarise with complex topics such as electronic payments, international legislation on eCommerce, the ever-changing dynamics of international markets, the digital single market concept, international distribution, harmonisation of tax in the EU, and regional and national cultures. It also addresses the current concepts of designing and developing a digital business, the key elements for a user-friendly website, determining your

audience, understanding the customer journey, digital photography and photo manipulation, videography and audio script writing. It enables participants to get a good grasp of data analytics and business intelligence, as well as, how these can provide useful and interesting insights, increase conversion rates and benchmark performance.

The last 2 intakes are scheduled to commence in April 2019. Don’t miss this unique opportunity and register for eBiznify at ebiznify.com/ or scan the QR code. This project is part-financed by the European Union under the European Social Fund – European Structural and Investment Funds 2014-2020.

HIGHER EDUCATION & TRAINING DEVELOPMENT

Soft Skills Becoming Increasingly Important for Employers “Many employees want to learn more about soft skills and although employers are increasingly focusing their recruitment efforts on soft skills rather than just the hard skills, many employees are also taking the initiative and showing a genuine interest to work on their interpersonal skills to improve relationships with their colleagues, their clients and their suppliers,” stated Ritienne Xerri Director of Training at MISCO. MISCO is announcing its next intake of applicants for a number of very interesting courses due to be offered over the coming months such as the Level 6 Award in Strategic Marketing. The aim of the Level 6 Award in Strategic Marketing is to assist individuals in developing a comprehensive range of strategic marketing skills. This course will be made of up of a mix of lectures and real-world practice through business simulations. With this practice, students will be more engaged in their studies and ultimately better prepared for the business world. Other courses about to commence at MISCO include the Level 5 Award in Personal Development, a qualification that is proving very popular amongst those who are looking at improving their soft skills, the Level 5 Award in Human Resources Management, the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management as well as the new

Level 3 Award in Retail Operations, a qualification targeted towards persons working in retail outlets who are interested in obtaining a qualification related to their job. This qualification will help individuals develop the necessary requirements to work in a retail outlet. “We are noticing increased interest in skills such as communication, assertiveness, negotiation, problem solving and decision making. More people are realising that we can live a better life if we make an effort to understand each other a bit more,” says Ritienne Xerri Director of Training at MISCO.

“Soft skills training has an impact on the employability of people. Employers constantly talk about the importance of soft skills for these jobs and our role is to create training programmes where we share our knowledge and experience to boost employability whilst being a valuablee contributor to the economy and to society at

large,” added Ritienne Xerri. Employers, employees and even government are giving more weight to ongoing employee training, Government in fact, has also launched various training schemes to promote the training of persons actively participating in the labour market,” concluded Ritienne Xerri.