MCAST is Malta’s largest provider of vocational and professional education and training, dedicated to empowering individuals through accessible, high-quality learning opportunities. With a mission to provide inclusive education and lifelong learning, MCAST supports personal growth, skill development, and community engagement, fostering a sense of belonging and purpose among students.
The College is composed of six institutes, each offering a diverse range of courses and services:
• Institute of Information and Communication Technology
• Institute of Business Management and Commerce
• Institute of Engineering and Transport
• Institute for the Creative Arts
• Institute of Community Services
• Institute of Applied Sciences
MCAST offers qualifications from EQF Level 1 to Level 8, ensuring students at all stages of life can access recognised pathways for further education and personal achievement. Beyond academic qualifications, MCAST nurtures creativity and initiative, offering support through its various mentoring programs.
MCAST’s involvement in international projects like EngageAll reflects its commitment to fostering active and inclusive student engagement. The College believes that empowering students to actively participate in their educational journey within and beyond the lecture rooms leads to personal growth, stronger communities, and a more cohesive society. EngageAll aligns with MCAST’s ethos by offering an opportunity to co-create strategies that encourage student civic participation and involvement in decision-making processes.
MCAST is proud of its diverse campus, where students from various socio-economic, cultural, and educational backgrounds come together in a shared learning environment. This diversity is central to the College’s identity, creating a vibrant, inclusive community that nurtures mutual understanding and respect. By participating in EngageAll, MCAST aims to build on its existing efforts to create a supportive environment for all learners, particularly those from underrepresented groups, ensuring they have the skills, confidence, and platforms to contribute meaningfully to society.
The EngageAll project also provides an opportunity for MCAST staff and students to collaborate with European partners, exchange best practices, and develop solutions to common challenges. By fostering dialogue and partnerships across borders, MCAST hopes to enhance its inclusive practices and strengthen its role as a leader in vocational education that prioritises the holistic development of students.
MCAST plays a key role in the EngageAll project by contributing its expertise in inclusive education and VET. Our focus is on developing and implementing strategies that encourage student engagement, particularly among those from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds. Through our participation, we aim to help create tools and frameworks that make it easier for students to get involved in their communities and develop essential life skills.
As one of the partners, MCAST is leading the Student Ambassador Scheme, where we will design and run a program that connects students with young people in the community. This initiative aims to inspire and guide students in taking on leadership roles and becoming active citizens. Additionally, we are actively contributing to other areas of the project, such as developing a competence framework and supporting peer learning activities.
Our team will work closely with students, staff, and partner institutions to ensure that our solutions are practical, inclusive, and effective. By sharing our experiences and best practices, we aim to strengthen the project’s impact and help build a more inclusive learning environment for students across Europe.
Heathcliff Schembri
Senior Lecturer and Coordinator (Inclusive Education)
Heathcliff Schembri is a Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Community Services at MCAST. With 15 years of experience in teaching and leadership, he coordinated the InclusiPHE project, EngageALL’s predecessor. Since joining MCAST in 2020, he has been active in research, driven by a passion for education’s role in societal enrichment.
Christianne Gatt Fenech
Deputy Director (Institute of Community Services)
Christianne Gatt Fenech is a Deputy Director at MCAST’s Institute of Community Services and manages part-time courses, events and Erasmus+ visits. With a Masters in European Studies and expertise in EU policy, she supports ICS’s mission of fostering inclusive learning and empowering diverse learners to achieve personal and professional success.
Dr Claire Sciberras
Senior Lecturer and Coordinator (Inclusive Education)
Claire Sciberras is a Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Community Services at MCAST. Her published research focuses on various aspects of inclusive education, including autism and the collaboration between teachers and Learning Support Educators in classroom settings. Claire earned her PhD from the University of the West of Scotland.
Project Reference: 2024-1-DE01-KA220-HED-000251679
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