The Malta College of Arts, Science, and Technology (MCAST) held the I Belong programme graduation ceremony on campus in Paola. This year a total of 351 students graduated.

The I Belong programme aims to help international learners integrate better in Maltese society. Successful completion of stage 2 courses helps migrants to fulfil the integration criteria established by Identita’ Malta to acquire a long-term residence permit.

MCAST President of the Board of Governors Mr Horace Laudi, MCAST Deputy Principal Mr Ronald Curmi, MCAST Wellbeing Hub Director Dr John Bartolo, Human Rights Directorate Director Mr Alex Tortell and, Human Rights Directorate Manager Ms Christie Spiteri attended the graduation ceremony.

As part of the Migrant Integration Strategy & Action Plan (Vision 2020), the ‘I Belong’ Programme helps in providing a holistic approach to integration. The programme provides participants with knowledge of the country’s official languages and cultural awareness.

Together with MCAST and University of Malta, the Intercultural and Anti-Racism Unit offers Maltese and English language and Cultural Orientation courses at two stages. The language courses focus on daily use to facilitate a person’s integration into society. The cultural orientation covers the social, cultural, economic, and historical aspects of Malta and the constitution, law and democratic values.

The programme helps broaden the local and international MCAST partner network, while acting as a key player in the local economic and social wellbeing spheres.