The Malta College of Arts, Science, and Technology (MCAST) held the annual graduation thanksgiving mass at the Sanctuary Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Valletta on 17 November. The ceremony marked the start of the upcoming graduation ceremonies to be held on campus in Paola.

President of the Board of Governors, Professor Ian Refalo, Principal and CEO Professor Joachim James Calleja, Deputy Principals, the Registrar, Directors, staff and graduates’ family members also attended the celebratory mass.

Archbishop Charles Jude Scicluna celebrated the mass, assisted by the Salesians of MCAST chaplaincy. In his homily, Archbishop Scicluna congratulated the new graduates for their success in their studies. In concluding his homily, he said, “My final advice for you today is that you grow into the maturity of the profession, trade, and the industry for which you have prepared yourselves, and the paths of life lead you to, including politics, always seek the goodness of those who do good and work for justice. We are living in a world of unprecedented violence. Let us pray that we will be the ones not to cut down the trees but to plant them.”

Before the mass, members of the MCAST community and graduates gathered in Parliament Square and proceeded to the Sanctuary Basilica accompanied by a music band of students and alumni. The mass included the participation of students from the College’s six institutes and the choir Chorus Exultet.

Graduation ceremonies will start on 20 November, and twenty-six traditions will be held to celebrate the success of this year’s MCAST graduates.

A total of 2,412 students will graduate from the College in diverse study areas. Around 528 students will graduate this year at Master’s and Bachelor’s levels, while 776 and 91 students have completed Diplomas at levels 4 and 5. At levels 1, 2, and 3, another 987 students completed their studies.

Principal and CEO Professor Joachim James Calleja said, “We are proud to celebrate the success of students who have persevered in many different sectors and who have already experienced the world of work during their studies. I urge all new graduates to continue pursuing lifelong learning opportunities and supporting the College’s work during their working life through the skills and competences they have acquired.”

Graduates range from diverse MCAST Institutes, including the Institute of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), the Centre of Agriculture, Aquatics, and Animal Sciences (CAAAS), the Institute of Community Services (ICS), the Institute of Applied Sciences (IAS), the Institute of Creative Arts (ICA), and the Institute of Business, Management, and Commerce (IBMC).

The MCAST Community sends its heartfelt congratulations to all graduates as they step into the next phase of their lives.

mcast.edu.mt