Organisational aspects

Resident academics are given the opportunity to further pursue their education, to enhance their lecturing and research skills and acumen and to broaden and deepen their expertise. Academic staff at the University of Malta (UM) from the grade of Lecturer upwards are generally entrusted to take care of their own professional development. However, staff in the grade of Assistant Lecturer are required to attend seminars coordinated by the University on pedagogy, educational technologies and lecturing methods once they progress to Lecturer and before they reach the grade of Senior Lecturer.

All other Resident Academics are provided with the opportunity to follow short courses organized by the University on the deployment of the latest educational and distance learning technologies and courseware development. The UM may ask for members of academic staff to attend training as a result of quality assurance procedures.

Each resident academic is allocated two types of funds on an annual basis: Academic Works Resources Funds and Academic Research Funds, both of which are intended to support the continuous development of an academic career. The Academic Works Resources Fund covers expenses such as books, learned society dues, attendance at academic conferences in Malta or abroad as well as IT expenses with the funds being approved by a committee set up specifically for this purpose and is operated through the use of a debit card both locally and abroad, including purchasing over the Internet.

The Academic Research Fund is aimed at supporting and bridging academic research. The policy and procedures for the administration and operation of both funds are laid out in the Manual of Conduct and Procedures.

MCAST offers its own teacher training qualification to its academic staff. It is currently offering a Master’s Degree in Vocational Education in Applied research 4.0 (MQF Level 7,120 ECTS credits). 

MCAST also organises annual Induction Sessions for its newly recruited academic staff. These sessions serve to provide a means of introducing MCAST’s entity and its ethos. At the same time initial teacher training is provided to promote vocational pedagogical aspects of teaching and assessment to the new academic recruits. MCAST also offers a basic Introductory Teacher Training programme to teachers upon request from its diverse Institutes.

Regular CPD sessions are organised addressing diverse pedagogical aspects, which include assessment, verification, students’ motivation, professional teacher behaviour, engaging students in their learning. MCAST Partnerships Office works to ensure that links are created between other educational institutions and industry to improve relevance of curriculum, promoting synergies between curriculum, research, innovation and employment and thus ensuring that skills component within the Curriculum are relevant and up to date.

To respond to the international dimension of a changing economy, MCAST’s Partnerships Office, the International Office is delegated with managing MCAST’s international relations. In particular, the International Office participates in EU programmes and Erasmus+ providing further mobility learning and training programme opportunities both to its students and the staff.

Lecturing staff at ITS participate in in-service training and staff development during normal working hours. Professional development is highly regarded by ITS management in accordance with the institution’s strategic vision. During the year, lecturing staff is also required to participate in the process of self-reflection to evaluate one’s performance and to consider on a number of objectives and thereon embark on a personal development programme.

The Institute for Education (IfE) is committed to the continuous professional development (CPD) of its academic staff, recognising that sustained professional learning is fundamental to maintaining high standards in teaching, research, and academic leadership within higher education.

The IfE provides regular and structured CPD opportunities for lecturers and teaching staff. These include in-house professional development workshops focusing on pedagogy, assessment practices, digital innovation in teaching and learning, quality assurance, curriculum design, and inclusive education. Academic staff also participate in professional dialogue sessions and communities of practice, enabling peer learning, reflective practice, and the sharing of research-informed approaches within their respective disciplines.

In addition, the IfE actively supports participation in national and international seminars, conferences, and scholarly events. Academic staff are encouraged not only to attend but also to present research findings, contribute to academic discourse, and engage in collaborative networks both locally and abroad. Mobility opportunities, including those supported through European programmes, further enhance exposure to international best practices and foster cross-border academic cooperation.

Through these structured and developmental opportunities, the Institute ensures that its academic staff remain professionally current, pedagogically innovative, and aligned with evolving national and European higher education priorities.

Incentives for participating in continuing professional development (CPD) activities

Academic staff at UM can also further their qualifications by applying for a scholarship provided by the Scholarships and Bursaries Scheme of the UM. Academic staff at UM is also entitled to sabbatical leave which is granted by the University on an individual basis and releases them in order to engage in academic research or related activities approved by the University. Staff may apply to a year’s sabbatical leave with full pay after every six years of continuous service assuming that the necessary arrangements can be made for a replacement. For continuous service of longer than six years, the length of sabbatical leave will be increased pro-rata up to a maximum of two years.

MCAST continuously works to increase the attractiveness, the quality and the status of the VET teaching profession. As a means to support and incentivise its academic staff, MCAST offers the first year of this teacher training (Post Graduate Certificate in Vocational Education Applied Research 4.0 – EQF/MQF 7, 45 ECTSs) free of charge and is considered for the purpose of progression.

ITS positions CPD as part of its broader strategic transformation, meaning staff who engage in CPD are aligned with institutional priorities and are more likely to be considered for:

• leadership roles
• programme development responsibilities
• strategic projects

This is reinforced by ITS’s collective agreements and strategic communications. 

Academic staff at ITS earn progression points when they complete CPD activities.

These points contribute directly to eligibility for advancement within the academic grades to accelerate movement through academic ranks. 

The Institute for Education actively promotes and supports the engagement of its academic staff in continuing professional development activities by providing both institutional encouragement and financial assistance.

Academic staff are given the opportunity to further their professional development through participation in short courses, specialised training programmes, seminars, and conferences at both national and international levels. Subject to institutional priorities and relevance to their academic role, these activities are funded or co-funded by the IfE. This support may include coverage of course fees, conference registration fees, and, where applicable, travel and accommodation expenses.

In addition to financial support, participation in CPD is recognised as an integral component of academic professional growth and quality enhancement. Engagement in such activities contributes to the strengthening of pedagogical practice, research capacity, leadership skills, and subject-specific expertise. It also supports the Institute’s broader strategic objectives related to innovation, internationalisation, and the continuous improvement of teaching and learning in higher education.

Through these incentives, the IfE ensures that academic staff are empowered to remain current in their fields, contribute to scholarly and professional communities, and enhance the overall quality and impact of the Institution’s academic provision.