MCAST engineering graduates caught in middle of union-board dispute
Malta Association of Professional Engineers goes to court to block warrant issue
Updated 1.20pm with minister's comment
The Malta Association of Professional Engineers (MAPE) is seeking to block a decision by the Engineering Board that would allow engineering students who graduated from MCAST to be granted a warrant.
Two weeks ago, the board, which is responsible for granting warrants, voted in favour of allowing MCAST graduates to be considered for warrants.
In a statement released on Saturday, the Infrastructure Ministry said that two members of the board who are also part of MAPE did not agree with this vote and filed a prohibitory injunction against the board.
The ministry reiterated that anyone who meets the criteria set out in Article 3 of Chapter 321 of Maltese law is eligible to apply for a warrant, regardless of whether they graduated from the University of Malta, MCAST, or another tertiary institution.
The law states that the Engineers Board may grant a warrant to anyone who holds a degree from the University of Malta or an equivalent qualification, has undergone practical training, and has practised the profession under supervision.
Although MAPE has long opposed the inclusion of MCAST graduates in the warranting process, the board maintained that it has the authority to recognise equivalent qualifications.
The injunction filed by the two MAPE members was provisionally accepted until November 10, when a court hearing will take place on the matter.
The government expressed its regret for the situation and placed the blame on "a small group of engineers who, it seems, believe that in order to reach their own goals, they must prevent innocent people from beginning to practise their profession.”
MAPE president Arthur Ciantar declined to comment on the issue until after the court hearing, saying he did not wish to breach the injunction.
Education Minister Clifton Grima harshly criticised MAPE.
"The Engineering Board voted in favour of issuing the MCAST students with warrants. Despite the strong vote in favour, the two MAPE members not only refused to accept the vote, but also filed a court injunction against the board," the minister said.
"I will never accept denying MCAST graduates their engineering warrant... As a politician but also as a father, I will ensure that no MCAST graduate is held back or not given the chance to show their capabilities," the minister said.