Out of hundreds of educational institutions in 24 different European countries, MCAST students obtained the highest number of City & Guilds Medals for Excellence, a notable international award recognising outstanding learners.
Three MCAST Institute of Community Services students, Suzanne Attard, Juliet Borg and Jenna Milligan, were recently presented with the City & Guilds Medal for Excellence, during a presentation ceremony at the MCAST Main Campus, Paola.
The three students completed the MCAST Diploma in Hairdressing course (leading to the City & Guilds Level 2 IVQ Diploma in Hairdressing) during the 2010/2011 academic year.
Through a network of 8,500 Approved Centres in 80 different countries, over two million learners register with City & Guilds to work towards one of its qualifications every year. Only 200 of these students receive the Medal for Excellence.
Established over 100 years ago, this award recognises the achievements of learners and lecturers who achieve the best results or who go above and beyond what is expected of them and show a true journey of progression.
The three Maltese former students’ achievement makes MCAST the educational institution with the greatest number of Medal winners in Europe in 2012.
Upon receiving the Medals, the young hairdressers expressed their satisfaction at this achievement, which they attributed to the constant support of the MCAST Institute of Community Services’ team of staff. Since they completed their course last summer, two of the students have already opened up their own hairdressing businesses.
Ms. Brid Healy, City & Guilds Regional Manager (Europe), Mr. Rónán Haughey, City & Guilds Development Manager (Europe) and Prof. Maurice Grech, MCAST Principal and CEO, presented the Medals to the successful students. Ms. Katya De Giovanni, Director of the Institute of Community Services, received a Certificate recognising the achievements of the Institute’s students and staff.
“Jenna, Juliet and Suzanne have shown great dedication and enthusiasm for learning, which has shone through in their work and contributed to their success in their City & Guilds assessments,” explained Ms. Healy, “as MCAST marks its 10th anniversary, we recognise the great lengths this College has gone through to excel in vocational education and training. This achievement is realised in the success which we are marking through these Medals.”
Prof. Grech explained that MCAST and City & Guilds are engaged in several collaborations to offer students more opportunities to obtain international qualifications, as well as to draw upon the international awarding body’s expertise to continually improve the quality of MCAST’s courses. The College’s lecturers receive regular training from City & Guilds experts, who also review students’ performances to suggest any improvements required for an enhanced learning experience. “The efforts of our staff, the support we receive from international organisations such as City & Guilds, and our ongoing commitment to improve the quality of our services, ensure that our students continue to succeed in their studies and achieve thriving careers,” the Principal concluded.
Since 2004, 25 MCAST students received the City & Guilds Medal for Excellence.
City & Guilds’ connection to Malta goes as far back as September 1942, when the country already offered the organisation’s syllabuses to its students. Since its establishment in 2001, MCAST continued this collaboration as a City & Guilds Approved Centre, with four of its Institutes currently offering courses leading to the awarding body’s qualifications.