Through an agreement signed between the US Embassy in Malta and the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST), the prestigious US Fulbright Specialist Program will be introduced within MCAST.
The agreement confirms the commitment of both sides towards excellence, and while marking an important step in the history of academic exchange between the United States and Malta, it highlights the common goal between the two sides to promote innovation, academic leadership, and bilateral cooperation.
The ceremony was presided over by the Minister for Education, Sports, Youth, Research and Innovation Clifton Grima and the Chairman of the MCAST Board of Governors Horace Laudi. The agreement was signed by US Chargé d’Affaires Ken Toko, and MCAST Principal and CEO Stephen Vella.
The Fulbright Specialist Programme, part of the broader Fulbright initiative, connects US academics and professionals with institutions outside the United States to work together on projects that enhance knowledge and promote long-term partnerships. The expansion of the programme to MCAST highlights Malta’s and the United States’ commitment to academic excellence and international collaboration.
Minister Clifton Grima expressed his satisfaction with this partnership, noting the potential of the programme to provide students with more educational opportunities. “This collaboration is a testament to the strong partnership between Malta and the United States. It will provide unique opportunities for both students and MCAST to interact with leading American experts and contribute to global academic development.” “We are proud to see MCAST, one of the pillars of Malta’s educational path, now joining the Fulbright network. This initiative will not only strengthen academic ties, but also expand horizons, both for American specialists and for the Maltese educational community”, said Minister Grima.
Chargé d’Affaires Ken Toko highlighted the transformative impact of the Fulbright Program, which since its inception has become a pillar of US cultural and educational policy. He said, “Fulbright Program participants are not just academics, they are ambassadors of mutual understanding, building people-to-people ties that support and strengthen the efforts of our governments. Fulbright students, both Maltese and American, play a central role in strengthening the already excellent bilateral relations between the two sides.”
