A newly refurbished Youth Hub has been officially opened at the MCAST main campus in Paola, offering students a modern, inclusive space designed to support their personal, social, and educational development.

The launch event, held on Friday, 16 May, was attended by the Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation, Clifton Grima and the Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Research and Innovation Keith Azzopardi Tanti. They were welcomed by Principal and CEO Stephen Vella, Aġenzija Żgħażagħ CEO Miriam Theuma, and MCAST Students’ Council (KSM) President Matthew Sant.

The renewed space in Students’ House includes comfortable seating zones, games, workstations, and a new office for the KSM, all tailored to the evolving needs of the growing student population.

Over the past years, MCAST has invested in several new buildings and learning spaces where students can actively participate and enjoy their student life. The Youth Hub is part of the College’s strategy to ensure inclusive physical spaces, course design and services that are student-centred.

The Youth Hub will also be home to Aġenzija Żgħażagħ, which has been active at MCAST since 2013. The agency offers non-formal education services within a safe, inclusive, and recreational setting. Run by a dedicated team of qualified youth workers, they host a variety of activities ranging from informal games and thematic discussions to creative workshops and life skills sessions.

Over the years, Aġenzija Żgħażagħ has strengthened its collaboration with KSM and intends to continue to do this through leadership training, joint events, and capacity-building initiatives. The Hub also serves as a venue for Youth Info outreach on topics like mental health and democratic participation.

The Agency plans to extend the Youth Hub’s opening hours and deliver summer life skills programmes from the upgraded premises, further increasing student accessibility.

The new space was refurbished in collaboration with the Corradino Correctional Facility inmate workers.

The event attracted students from various institutes and student clubs and ended with unveiling a commemorative plaque, blessed by the MCAST Chaplain, marking a new chapter for student wellbeing and engagement on campus.

MCAST and MG2i would like to thank the following companies: Bank of Valletta, Forvis Mazars, Gaming Malta, GMR, Lidl, MDIA, Melita, Playcon, Tech.mt.

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