The MCAST Institute of Mechanical Engineering

The fourth in a series of five articles featuring exclusive interviews with directors of MCAST.

The Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology is introducing three new institutes this year. One of these is the Institute of Mechanical Engineering.

This institute will be offering the mechanical engineering courses that were previously offered by the Technical Institute, Paola, and at Umberto Calosso Trade School, St Venera.

The courses offered will be based on mechanical engineering and automobile trades. Future plans are for greater diversity, including marine engineering, and other courses depending on the needs of the economy.

There are also plans to offer other internationally recognised qualifications apart from the current City and Guilds certification system. MCAST is striving to offer better services to students and improve their employability beyond local boundaries.

Speaking to The Sunday Times, Lino Zahra, director of the MCAST Institute of Mechanical Engineering (former head of Umberto Calosso and assistant director responsible for planning and development at the Education Division over the past year), said there has been "investment in new machinery. We will be educating and training students for today's and tomorrow's needs of industry."

The motor vehicle workshops were started from scratch, and future plans include improvement to the mechanical machine shops, as well as investing in an engineering science laboratory and a plant-engineering workshop. There will also be a greater focus on computer-aided design (CAD) studies.

Courses available at the MCAST Institute of Mechanical Engineering:

The Technician Certificate in Motor Vehicle Engineering leads to City and Guilds certification. This is a one-year full-time course. Students must have O-level passes in two subjects from Mathematics, Graphical Communications and Physics. The syllabus covers such subjects as engine systems, chassis systems and mathematics, science, and communications.

The Technician Certificate in Mechanical Engineering is a one- year full-time course. The syllabus covers Engineering Fundamentals, Mechanical Technology and Electrical and Electronics Application. Students must have O-level passes in two subjects from Mathematics, Graphical Communications and Physics. Throughout the following years, students who are following the apprenticeship scheme attend the Institute on a part-time basis, as they have the opportunity to work with sponsored firms.

Alternatively students can opt for the MCAST First Certificate in Mechanical Engineering. The syllabus covers Engineering Fundamentals, Mechanical Engineering, including technology and practical assignments. This is a one-year course for which students need a grade 7 or better at O-level in at least two of these subjects - Mathematics, Physics and Graphical Communication.

Succesful students from all courses can proceed to the Technician's Diploma and to the Advanced Diploma. The Mechanical Engineering Institute also caters for students following craft-level courses, leading to the Journeyman's Certificate in auto mechanics, mechanical engineering and panel beating.

For further information and details attend the information talks at the MCAST Main Campus, Corradino Hill, Paola, on July 23 at 6.30 p.m.