Register for MCAST’s conference on collaboration in the knowledge economy

MCAST is organising a conference entitled 'Fostering Collaboration in the Knowledge Economy' on 31 January 2014 at MCAST Main Campus Hall.

This conference will explore the theme of collaboration between business, academia and government in supporting innovative projects, reducing risk, creating partnerships, knowledge exchange and open innovation through clustering activities thereby promoting economic growth, business development and employment opportunities for students.

The knowledge triangle - the flow of added value between research, education and innovation - is emerging as the central concept on the European innovation policy landscape, at the core of the next generation of policies and programmes.

As an important institution for further and higher education and a leader in vocational training, MCAST feels the need to respond to these challenges by constantly seeking to explore avenues of collaboration in order to engage and partner with industry and enterprise - including public and private sector institutions - in order to ensure that MCAST responds to the changing needs of our society and our economy.

The conference will focus on the apprenticeship system, which is an integral part of vocational training which emphasises learning by doing.  It enables the student to obtain first-hand practical experience working within a company. The system is of benefit to both the student, who obtains practical experience, as well as to the employer as it facilitates the transition of the student to the workplace thereby reducing training costs and ensuring that the student has acquired the right skills.

The speakers include Hon. Evarist Bartolo, Minister for Education and Employment, Prof Godfrey Baldacchino, Professor of Sociology, University of Malta, Anton Borg, Deputy President Malta Chamber of Commerce, John Cassar White, Chairman BOV, Stephan Drewes, CEO Lufthansa Technik Malta, Dollsy Darmanin, HR Manager Playmobil Malta, Alfred Grixti, Executive Chairman ETC,  Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando, Executive Chairman MCST, Mario Vella, Chairman Malta Enterprise, Saviour Zammit, Director Centre for Entrepreneurship and Business Incubation, Dr.Silvio De Bono, President MCAST Board of Governors and Chairman MG2I, Stephen Cachia, Principal and CEO MCAST, Vince Maione, Deputy Principal MCAST and Oscar Borg, Partnership Director MCAST. Members on the panel include Paul Abela, GRTU, Anton Borg, Chamber of Commerce, Vince Cassar, MCAST and Josef Vella, UHM.

The Hon Prime Minister, Joseph Muscat will present the certificates to the partnerships companies.

For registrations kindly contact Deborah Vella on [email protected].  Registrations will be accepted strictly on a first-come, first-served basis.