€10 million Resource Centre project well underway at MCAST Campus

The construction of the MCAST Resource Centre (MRC), which has a footprint of approximately 2,300 square meters and is spread over 4 floors, is in its final phase. This was announced by Minister for Education and Employment Owen Bonnici during a site visit at the Paola campus.

Minister Owen Bonnici said that, “This significant investment is very important as it will further develop the college’s physical environment. More importantly, we want to invest in our students and educators. This centre is an example of building learning spaces with the latest technology for the benefit of today’s students and future generations. This is not simply an investment in buildings. We want to create a space for educators and students to develop creative and innovative work, a space that facilitates communication and collaboration beyond the classroom setting. As time passes, we are seeing that more students are choosing vocational subjects as their main studies, and I am pleased to see that MCAST is taking the necessary steps forward for such an institution to grow.”

MCAST Principal and CEO Prof Joachim James Calleja said, “Our strategy is to continue to create investment opportunities in vocational education to focus on developing skills for employment. We believe that this investment should be enjoyed by both full-time students and those learners who attend part-time courses. MCAST will continue developing the concepts of a 24-hour Campus and Industry on Campus. We need to create a dynamic learning space where knowledge and innovation thrive.”

MCAST head of capital projects Eng. Jesmond Zammit explained how the building will house a number of the college’s activities, including the MCAST Centre for Research and Innovation, the Learning Support Unit, as well as the Learning Resource Centre and the Library.

The building is located on an underground car park that forms part of the central campus square. The design also includes the latest in energy-saving technology and features measures to lower maintenance and operational costs. The emphasis on surrounding areas will be on green spaces and landscaping.

There will be various facilities and services within the MRC for students, including; 2 exhibition spaces, 1 auditorium, 14 offices for directors and managers, 2 boardrooms, 16 lecture rooms and tutorial rooms, 1 cafeteria, a library on 2 floors, and also a working area, a study area, outside seating, a project room and a games room.

In the MRC, which is a multi-purpose building, there will be adequate facilities for students who are specializing in specific vocational fields as required by the industry.

The Library and Learning Resource Center (LLRC) in the building will offer a variety of useful informative resources and technologies for students and educators.

The Teaching Assistance Unit will also be in this building to work closely with the institutes of MCAST so to ensure that students receive the necessary academic support to acquire their academic skills and become independent in their studies.

The project, with an investment of €10 million, is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund 2014-2020 (ERDF).