More than 500 delegates from across Europe gathered in Heilbronn, Germany, for the EU4Dual Conference Week 2026, held from 20 to 24 April. The event brought together universities, researchers, students and industry leaders involved in dual higher education, a model combining academic study with practical workplace learning.

Hosted by Germany’s Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg (DHBW), this year’s conference focused on the theme “Dual Innovation for a Healthier Tomorrow” with discussions centred on applied research, sustainability, the future of work and closer cooperation between universities and industry.

MCAST was represented by a 33-member delegation and strategic meetings, underlining Malta’s continued involvement in the EU4Dual alliance. The College’s representatives delivered 10 presentations and 2 research posters covering themes such as healthy living, the green economy, the future of work and dual higher education.

The first part of the week was dedicated to governance and planning meetings involving the alliance’s councils, committees and advisory groups. MCAST representatives participated at all decision-making levels, highlighting the college’s active role within the European network.

MCAST also co-led the development of the alliance’s Policy White Paper, presented during a plenary session for stakeholder feedback. The document is expected to be finalised and published later this year.

Students played a visible role throughout the week, with 9 MCAST students participating in an Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme promoting international collaboration and mobility.

One of the key outcomes for Malta was the election of MCAST student Amy Ann Vella as President of the EU4Dual Student Council. She succeeds fellow MCAST student Nicholas Kast, marking a second consecutive term of Maltese leadership within the student body. Another MCAST student, Tristan Galea Bonnici, was also appointed as a student representative.

EU4Dual was established in 2022 as Europe’s first alliance dedicated to dual higher education. The consortium includes MCAST and higher education institutions from Germany, Spain, Austria, Finland, Croatia, Hungary, Poland and France.

Next year’s conference will be held in Graz, Austria, and hosted by FH JOANNEUM.