For MCAST, 2025 was a year of progress across teaching, staffing, research, and public engagement, with several developments shaping the College’s direction.

The year began with a strong focus on work-based learning, marked by January onboarding events for apprentices and learners at the Paola, Mosta, and Gozo campuses. Students, lecturers, and employers came together to strengthen collaboration, highlighting the importance of apprenticeships within Malta’s skills system.

A key moment came with a national conference on National Occupational Standards and Skills Cards, organised by MCAST in collaboration with the National Skills Council. The event formed part of the Encounter – MCAST Meets Industry initiatives, supported by the Ministry for Education. It brought together industry representatives, policymakers, educators and students to examine workforce needs, challenges and emerging practices.

In May, MCAST and the Malta Union of Teachers signed a new Collective Agreement, an investment of over €45 million. The agreement introduced salary increases, improved working conditions and revised career structures for academic and support staff. It also brought long-awaited clarity after an extended negotiation process, reinforcing the link between staff stability and the student experience.

Course provision expanded further with the launch of the October intake prospectus, which included more than 200 full-time programmes. These ranged from certificates and diplomas to degrees and postgraduate qualifications. A significant development was the opening of the Institute for the Trades, offering courses at MQF Levels 1 and 2. This marked a clear commitment to vocational education at the entry level, creating structured routes for learners and opening opportunities to students from a wide range of backgrounds.

This focus on skills and trades was further reflected in preparations for the Revitalising Trades through Innovation and Skills conference, which will bring together educators, policymakers and industry leaders to discuss how traditional trades are evolving and how they can remain sustainable for future generations.

Public interest in vocational pathways was evident during Open Day 2025 in June. The event attracted strong attendance from prospective students, parents and adult learners, who visited campuses, spoke directly with staff and explored how different study routes link to employment and further education.

The visual identity for Malta’s Presidency of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers was created by a graphic design student MCAST Institute for the Creative Arts (ICA), another prestigious recognition of our students’ quality work. Throughout the year, public events showcased vocational education in practice. The ICA Festival returned, presenting student work in art, design, fashion, media, and performance. The annual ICS Hair Show featured live demonstrations by students and industry professionals. It was a privilege to welcome Her Excellency the President of Malta, Myriam Spiteri Debono at the Business EXPO where students engaged with employers at the Business Expo

Student life remained a central focus.

Over the summer, KampuSajf once again opened the MCAST Mosta Campus to the wider community through creative and cultural performances. During the academic year, the new Youth Hub was opened, offering a dedicated space for student support, engagement and wellbeing.

Freshers’ Week welcomed new students at the start of the year, while graduation ceremonies later on celebrated the achievements of several thousand graduates, marking one of the College’s largest graduation cycles. The College welcomed the Prime Minister, Robert Abela, the Minister for Education, Clifton Grima, the Leader of the Opposition, Alex Borg, and other dignitaries.

Another first for the College was the opening of MCAST’s first educational centre outside of Europe at the Jiangsu Vocational College of Medicine (JSMC) in the city of Yancheng, China.

Innovation and competition also featured strongly. MCAST ICT students placed second and achieved success at an international robotics competition in Panama, earning recognition for their technical skills, teamwork and problem-solving. The IICT also organised a number of game jam activities and participated in national fairs showcasing quality technology training.

Research activity gained greater visibility in November, when MCAST hosted the 7th Research and Innovation Expo alongside the 4th Qualitative Research Conference. Applied research in areas including technology, health, education, sustainability, and the social sciences was presented by staff, students, and external partners. This work was supported by ongoing participation in EU-funded projects, university alliances and mobility programmes.

Professional recognition marked an important milestone towards the end of the year. In December, the First Hall of the Civil Court rejected a Warrant of Prohibitory Injunction filed by the Malta Association of Professional Engineers against the Board tal-Inġiniera. The Court referred to the ASIIN evaluation and restructuring of MCAST’s engineering programmes, confirming their alignment with European bachelor-level standards. This allowed eligible MCAST engineering graduates to be considered for the engineering warrant. In parallel, 2025 confirmed that graduates of MCAST’s Master’s in Veterinary Studies are eligible for professional recognition across the European Union following EU approval.

The College’s longer-term direction was also addressed through a public consultation on MCAST’s draft Strategy, which set out priorities for teaching, research, and organisational development. The memorable graduation mass and ceremonies celebrated the success of 2,826 new graduates across its six Institutes and the Gozo Campus.

The year closed with developments in infrastructure and community access. The St Carlo Acutis building, home to the Institute of Information and Communication Technology, was officially inaugurated, expanding specialist facilities in a high-demand sector. In December, the MCAST library was opened to the general public, extending access to learning resources beyond the student community.

Throughout the year, these developments were documented through MCASTLink, capturing both institutional milestones and individual experiences.

Taken together, 2025 was a year in which planning translated into action. As MCAST moves into 2026, which will also mark its 25th anniversary, the focus turns to building on that momentum while reflecting on how far the College has come and where it aims to go next.

Finally, a note of gratitude to all those contributing to MCAST’s success. We look forward to working with you in 2026.