MCAST students trained to support international peers during collaborative visit at the Institute of ICT

Malta, 2025 – A group of dedicated students from Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) recently played a key role in an international exchange with students from MBO College Amstelland, a leading vocational institution from the Netherlands.

From 5^th May to 15^th May, MCAST students from the Institute of ICT took part in a special initiative coordinated by the Erasmus+ mobility programme. Before the arrival of their international peers, the MCAST ICT students worked diligently together with Paul Pulis (Deputy Director – Academic Affairs) and Kassandra Calleja (Senior Lecturer), to prepare comprehensive training kits, instructional materials, and practical exercises tailored to the needs of the visiting learners. This preparation phase was crucial in ensuring that the sessions would be both engaging and effective.

Three Bootcamps Led by MCAST Students

The result was a well-organised series of three hands-on bootcamps, each led by pairs of MCAST students:

Game Development, led by Liam Schembri and Adam Darmanin, gave participants a taste of designing and building simple games using Unity.

Intro to Object-Oriented Programming, delivered by Mandy Farrugia and Josef Muscat, introduced core programming concepts using C#.

Web Development, facilitated by Nicole Grima and Mireya Francesca Vella, covered the essentials of front-end development and responsive design.

Josef Muscat, Adam Darmanin, and Liam Schembri, are currently pursuing the B.Sc. (Hons) in Digital Games Development; Mandy Farrugia is studying B.Sc. (Hons) Software Development, while Mireya Francesca Vella and Nicole Grima, are both following the B.Sc. (Hons)  Creative Computing degree. 

Project Work coordinated by MCAST IICT Lecturer

A special contribution came from Ms. Kassandra Calleja, who arranged for the Dutch students to participate in project-based group work alongside MCAST students within her classes. This allowed for meaningful interaction and teamwork across cultures, giving the visitors a real feel for how the IICT students collaborate in a professional setting.

“It was great to see our students working together so naturally,” said Ms. Calleja. “The Dutch students adapted quickly and contributed actively to the projects, which made the whole experience truly enriching for everyone.”

Showcasing Motion Capture and Industry Exposure

As part of the programme, Josef Muscat also showcased the capabilities of Motion Capture technology within the MCAST Resource Centre (MRC), demonstrating its use in the context of 3D animation, a highlight for many of the visiting students.

Beyond the classroom, participants enjoyed two insightful industry visits:

• At Exigy, students got a behind-the-scenes look at software development in a dynamic local tech environment.
• At BaseCamp in Zejtun, the delegarion was welcomed by the Gaming Malta Foundation, which offered an overview of how digital game startups operate on the island and the ecosystem supporting them.

“The industry visits were eye-opening,” shared one of the Dutch participants. “It was amazing to see how Malta is becoming a hub for gaming and creative technologies.”

Cultural and Educational Impact

The two-week programme not only strengthened technical competencies but also encouraged cross-cultural communication and teamwork. Alongside the academic activities, participants enjoyed cultural outings that offered a glimpse into Maltese history and traditions.

MBO College Amstelland offers practice-oriented education at the MBO (Medium-level Applied Education) level, making this collaboration particularly relevant and impactful for both institutions. The shared focus on applied learning enabled a smooth and productive exchange of ideas and skills.

“We were very pleased with how engaged and well-prepared the MCAST students were,” commented Ms Nancy Van Dalum, “They worked hard to explain complex topics clearly and made our students feel welcome and supported throughout the visit.”

Looking Ahead

This successful initiative highlights the growing importance of peer-led learning and international collaboration in modern vocational education. It also underscores MCAST’s commitment to providing students with opportunities that go beyond traditional classroom settings.

Plans are already being discussed for future exchanges, including possible joint projects and reciprocal visits, to further deepen the partnership between the two institutions.

 

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