MCAST’s Institute of Applied Sciences (IAS) held a campaign event with the theme, ‘Our Nurses. Our Future’ at its campus in Paola. The event which was held to celebrate ‘International Nurses’ Day’, on 12 May aimed to put the nursing profession in the spotlight by recognizing the work being done by nurses within the healthcare industry, and looking at ways by which policymakers could strengthen health systems to address growing global health demands.

Key industry stakeholders, lecturing staff, and undergraduate nursing students from the Institute of Applied Sciences (IAS) participated in the event.

During the event guest speakers working within the healthcare industry were interviewed by MCAST nursing students. Discussions ranged on a diverse series of topics. During this encounter, students were able to gain invaluable knowledge from key experts in this field and learn from real-life scenarios, an experience that will benefit them in their future nursing careers. Moreover, a number of Health Screening and Monitoring Stations were set up on campus.

While visiting the stands, MCAST Principal and CEO Professor Joachim James Calleja said, “Collaboration with professionals from the nursing world demonstrates the importance of connecting practice and theory to improve the understanding of key concepts and inform future practice. Such collaborations in these events will support the lecturers, students, and the College in general by strengthening this theory-practice connection”.

During the event Director of the Institute of Applied Sciences Paula Grech Bonnici highlighted the work being done by the College to bolster the local nursing sector, “The Institute of Applied Sciences has recognized the importance of the nursing profession and is continuously investing in the delivery of courses in this field. All nursing courses are recognized and approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council.”

A dissertation poster presentation was also set up at the College’s MCAST Resource Centre (MRC), whereby 3rd-year nursing students had the opportunity to showcase their research projects to attendees.

In collaboration with the Paola Local Council, elderly individuals from the Paola Active Aging center also attended the event.

The event served to shed light on the valuable contribution that the nursing profession brings to the healthcare industry while showcasing opportunities available at MCAST for prospective students willing to embark on a nursing career. Applications for full-time courses in nursing open on 17 July.

Around 150 students are currently following nursing-related courses at the College’s Institute of Applied Sciences (IAS).

Healthmark Ltd Malta sponsored this event.