Prime Minister Robert Abela inaugurated the MCAST Resource Center, with an investment of € 9.3 million, co-financed by European Union funds.
Spread over four floors of 7,920 square meters, this center will benefit thousands of full-time and part-time students.
Prime Minister Robert Abela pointed out that we cannot look to the future with optimism if we do not invest in tomorrow’s skills today.
“Education must be the basis of the new prosperity we want to build together. We want to see free students roam the fields to their heart’s content, critics think and work to make society different and better. It must also be tomorrow to see new sectors grow and to see us as competitive and more attractive than other countries. Because we are investing early in human capital. ”
The Prime Minister stated that education is the one that paved the way for us to take advantage of the opportunities that this country offers.
“In this country we want to work so that everyone can achieve their aspirations, and when we say that this Malta that we want for our children, we are referring to Malta where with your ability you can get where you want. Therefore, this investment that we are inaugurating today goes beyond the building itself. Investing in educational infrastructure is a direct investment in students and educators. When I say that we must work to reach new levels, education is no exception. ”
Referring to the investment being made in the education sector and the positive results being achieved, the Prime Minister stated that this is only the basis and the reason why the government wants to achieve better and better results.
MCAST Principal and Chief Executive Officer Prof. Joachim James Calleja said, “The MCAST Resource Center (MRC) is a state-of-the-art building. It has a space for teaching, exhibitions, as well as work that encourages collaboration, research and innovation. We want to provide students and staff with the best learning services, options and aids in the same place where they learn and work. The college campus will be accessible to the general community, and resources must be used effectively to promote lifelong learning”.
Minister for Education and Sport Clifton Grima said that infrastructure investment is important for the development of the physical environment, but also that through it we will continue to invest in our students and educators. .
“With this building, we are not only looking at infrastructure investment, which is important, but we are looking at full investment in students, educators and lecturers. This is a space where we are taking a big step forward, because it is an innovative one that will serve to facilitate communication beyond the classroom. I am pleased that MCAST is moving forward not only with the implementation of its Strategic Plan, but also to continue to bring the student into the world of work in an environment that is appropriate for today’s time, “said the Minister. Grima.
Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi said that through this project, MCAST will have more facilities of the highest quality for students and teachers, because education for this government is always a priority because he believes that the country should invest in its main resource, namely human resources.
The Parliamentary Secretary stressed that this is another project being co-financed by European funds. This shows how determined this government is to continue the work that has been done in recent years, where we have made large investments through European funds in the field of education.
The building, which forms part of the central campus square, houses a number of college activities, including the MCAST Research and Innovation Center, the Learning Support Unit as well as the Resource Center and the library. The design includes state-of-the-art energy-saving technology.
Within the MRC there will be various facilities and services for students, including two exhibition spaces, an auditorium, 14 offices for directors and managers, two boardrooms, 16 classrooms, a cafeteria, a shared library on two floors, as well as a space where one can work and study.
The project is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund 2014-2020 (ERDF).
Photos: DOI, OPM
