The Engineering Board approved the four Bachelor of Engineering programmes offered by the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST). All current students will now be eligible to apply for an engineering warrant.  This was announced by the Minister for Education Clifton Grima and the Minister for Public Works and Planning Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi.

In 2020, the Board of Engineering appointed the German quality assurance firm ASIIN to audit the College’s engineering courses. Following a highly rigorous process and the positive audit results, the Engineering Board informed the College that it “has embraced the conclusions of ASIIN and is approving the new BEng (Hons.) programmes being offered by MCAST”.

Today’s announcement is a positive, decisive step for the College’s current 90 engineering students. In 2021, the College had announced that MCAST engineering alumni who graduated before 2022 would be eligible to apply for a warrant once they completed the Pre-Warrant Qualification Course (PWQC). This recent development means that new graduates will be eligible to apply for the warrant without the additional course. Since the first cohort in 2013, the College has registered 307 engineering graduates. More than 90% of these graduates are in full-time employment and working in sectors directly related to their studies.

MCAST’s Institute of Engineering and Transport (IET) offers four different programmes, namely, the Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Electronics Engineering, the Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Electronics and Control Engineering, the Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering (Manufacturing) and the Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering (Plant). The institute offers around 70 courses at different levels and which are designed and delivered in close collaboration with the industry. The course offer also includes Master’s courses in Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering and Aerospace Engineering.

Professor Calleja said, “This is a significant achievement for our graduates who can directly apply for consideration to be awarded the engineering warrant when they conclude the work experience component requirements, which will be at par with those following programmes of other approved institutions. We will always strive for quality and parity of esteem. Today’s students are tomorrow’s engineers and leaders who will positively contribute to our industry and society.”

Institute Director Ing. Stephen Sammut explained that the evaluators, namely ASIIN consult were satisfied with the standards achieved. ASIIN commented favourably on all the areas reviewed namely curriculum, lecture delivery, lab resources and staff resources.  He also mentioned the ongoing feedback from employers commending MCAST alumni for their hands-on approach and commitment to the engineering profession as they join top industry players in various fields.

Over the past years, MCAST has been continuously investing in equipment, including a €7 million new state-of-the-art building for the Institute of Engineering and Transport inaugurated in May 2018.