Amanda Cassar
Director

Amanda Cassar started her teaching career at Stella Maris College, where she taught Italian for 11 years while having the role of year tutor. Her academic and professional interests are in teacher training and education, VET and academic education, student education, equity and social justice. She held various roles in higher education and teacher training such as educational mentor, researcher, dissertation supervisor and lecturer. In 2022, Ms Cassar joined MCAST as a Student Transition Manager. In this role, she supported the College in assisting students in secondary education to engage with MCAST through partnerships and collaborations involving diverse educational institutions. She also regularly analysed vocational and professional education and training and applied routes in secondary schools and their transitioning to MCAST by collaborating with other Institutes and departments within the College. Ms Cassar has participated in various national and international projects focusing on VET education, social inclusion, skills, and early school leavers from education and training. Ms Cassar’s career is complimented by years of academic studies, obtaining several qualifications from the University of Malta, and she is currently in the final stages of her PhD at Lancaster University.

 amanda.cassar@mcast.edu.mt

Claudia Vella
Deputy Director 

Claudia Vella graduated from the University of Malta in 1993 with a Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Mathematics and Early & Middle Years. She worked as a Mathematics teacher and Career and Guidance teacher in various state and independent secondary and post-secondary schools across Malta and Gozo until 2015. She was subsequently appointed Assistant Head of School, serving at both secondary and post-secondary levels. More recently, she held the position of Education Officer within the Education Resources Directorate at the Ministry for Education, Youth and Employment (MEYR).

In addition to her initial degree, Claudia obtained a Diploma in Youth and Community Studies and a Diploma in Management, as well as a Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Administration and Management from the University of Malta. In 2020, she completed a MA in Education Leadership at the University of Nottingham, UK.

 claudia.vella@mcast.edu.mt