European, Global and intercultural dimensions in curriculum development

Post-compulsory institutions in Malta, including Ġ.F. Abela Junior College, Sir M. A. Refalo Sixth Form, and Giovanni Curmi Higher Secondary School, play a crucial role in preparing students for higher education and broadening their academic horizons through language studies and intercultural activities.

The following initiatives are common to all post-secondary institutions, which manage their implementation every year:

• Euroscola: A 100-hour programme that engages students in European affairs, including a trip to Strasbourg. This is one of the most popular programmes available to institutions.

• Junior Achievement Young Enterprise, Company Programme: An 80-hour course on entrepreneurship, covering event management, financial literacy, collaboration, leadership, and cultural and civic literacy. 

• Erasmus+ and International Corner: Facilitates opportunities for institutions to send students abroad for intercultural experiences and to host international students, fostering cultural exchange.

• NSTF Mini European Assembly: Provides an opportunity for students from institutions to engage in European debates and visit EU institutions.

• Model European Parliament (MEP): Simulates the workings of the European Parliament for youth, enhancing skills such as public speaking and lobbying. Organized by Aġenzija Żgħażagħ, it offers national sessions that can lead to international participation.

In addition to these common initiatives, there are also unique programmes and opportunities tailored to the specific priorities and strengths of each institution: Enrichment Programme (EP) at the Junior College

Ġ.F Abela Junior College offers the Enrichment Programme (EP), formally established in 2021.  This programme is designed to foster holistic student development by providing a wide range of activities, clubs, initiatives, and language-studying units that complement the formal academic curriculum and support well-rounded growth. EP units vary in duration, from 10 to 100 hours, and cover a broad spectrum of areas. Student achievements in these programmes are officially recorded in their final Junior College Study Programme Report.   

Among the EP units that promote European, Global, and Intercultural dimensions, the following examples from the 2023/24 academic year stand out, with a total of 95 students successfully completing these units:

• Becoming an Environmental Activist: offers 10 hours of sessions on advocacy and environmental issues.

• Chinese for Beginners (Parts 1 and 2): Provides 30 hours of Chinese language learning and cultural exploration. 

• Ħsieb Ħieles JC: Focuses on politics and ethics through 20 hours of discussion and event organisation. 

Sir M. A. Refalo Sixth Form

The post-secondary institution in Gozo, offers a number of initiatives Promoting European, Global, and Intercultural Dimensions.

Enrichment Activities at Giovanni Curmi Higher Secondary School

Giovanni Curmi Higher Secondary School offers numerous activities that can be related to European, global and international dimensions. While some of these initiatives are included regularly, others may vary from year to year. This variability is due to the fact that the activities are organised voluntarily by staff. Among those held in previous years are:

• Cineclub Hispanohablante: Screens award-winning Spanish films, enhancing language skills and cultural knowledge.

• Deutschklub Spaß: Features German films, board games, and music discussions, including the PASCH Project "Talk ohne Grenzen".

Other Maltese institutions offer comprehensive programs that provide students with valuable opportunities for language development, cultural immersion, and global awareness:

DegreePlus

DegreePlus, at the University of Malta, offers a wide array of enriching units and extracurricular activities to enhance one’s educational journey, profile, and CV. The units range from voluntary work to entrepreneurship, sports, culture, and many more. By actively participating in these activities, University of Malta students can have their achievements listed on their University Transcripts and receive a DegreePlus Certificate, showcasing their dedication and skills. 

Additionally, DegreePlus offers a variety of short introductory courses in languages designed to broaden students' linguistic and cultural perspectives. Some of these courses have been available since 2011 and cater to complete beginners.  They cover a range of languages including Latin, Bulgarian, Dutch, Romanian, Modern Greek, Russian, French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Maltese as a Foreign Language. More recently, DegreePlus has introduced an introductory unit on interpreting, which provides students with a taste of different interpreting modes, ideal for those considering a career in interpretation, particularly within European and international organisations. 

In the 2023/2024 academic year, approximately 220 students engaged in the various language courses offered through DegreePlus. DegreePlus also offers a summer programme which is open to the public. Among the most popular units is ‘Tisħiħ Fil-Kitba Tal-Malti,’ which focuses on enhancing Maltese writing skills and saw 61 students enrolled in the summer of 2024.  These courses not only advance students' language proficiency but also immerse them in cultural insights, providing a rich and holistic educational experience.

Students and Faculty Organisations

Numerous student and faculty organisations operate within the University of Malta Campus. These societies are an integral part of university life, and provide services yet enhance campus life and cover a wide variety of opportunities, whether socio-political, religious or cultural, leisure and entertainment activities as well as opportunities abroad. Student and faculty organisations thus offer members the possibility of being active at university in non-academic interests whilst broadening their outlook on life.

MCAST

The Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) is engaged in various Erasmus+ Key Action 2 (KA2) Projects, Centres of Vocational Excellence (COVE), European Universities Alliance and EU Capacity Building projects. The participation in these projects demonstrates MCAST’s commitment to international collaboration and innovation in education. 

Institute of Tourism Studies (ITS)

As part of the KA131 Erasmus+ Programme, students participating in study mobilities at Haaga-Helia in Finland and Institut Lyfe in France are required to complete a language assessment to evaluate their proficiency in the host country’s language. This assessment is a prerequisite before beginning their mobility. The European Commission's Online Language Support (OLS) platform facilitates these tests and offers ongoing language courses throughout the students’ stay abroad. By engaging with these OLS courses, ITS students not only enhance their language skills but also gain insight into the culture of the host institution, enriching their intercultural understanding. Additionally, the Erasmus section of the ITS’ website provides information on the cultural nuances of the host countries, aiding students navigate intercultural communication and bridge the cultural gap between Malta and their destination countries.

Mobility in Youth Sector

Actions in the youth sector provide non-formal and informal learning opportunities for young people and youth workers, helping them develop essential competences for personal growth, active participation in society, and improved employability. Youth workers gain skills for professional development and contribute to higher-quality youth work. These activities positively impact individuals, organisations, communities, the youth field, and broader European societal sectors.

Supported actions include:

• Youth exchanges: Short-term meetings of young people from at least two countries to implement non-formal learning programmes.

• Mobility projects for youth workers: Support professional development and improve youth work quality at all levels through mobility experiences.

• Youth participation activities: Encourage and support young people’s engagement in democratic life across various levels.

• DiscoverEU Inclusion Action: Enables young people with fewer opportunities to participate in DiscoverEU projects equally with their peers.

Between 2021 and 2023, 5969 participants (5268 young people and 701 accompanying persons, facilitators, and leaders) were involved in contracted projects by the Malta’s National Agency

Partnerships and networks

All Maltese Higher Education Institutions are dedicated to forming partnerships and networks with international institutions. They strategically align with global partners to transform education and advance the sector. These partnerships and satellite campuses extend beyond academics, reflecting a commitment to cultural exchange, diversity, and a more interconnected world. By establishing these connections, Maltese institutions support collaborative efforts for learners and educators alike.

The Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST), is a member of UNEVOC Network, which is the International Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training.  MCAST actively engages in the global enhancement of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). Through collaborations with 195 member countries, MCAST facilitates knowledge sharing, coordinates forums, and participates in various TVET activities, aiming to ensure coherence in policy making and provision. Additionally, MCAST fosters partnerships with international education institutions, promoting collaborative activities for TVET learners and educators, both physically and virtually. Meanwhile, MG2i Malta, MCAST's commercial arm, focuses on internationalisation and professional development by facilitating training for industry leaders. MG2i works with various partners across the globe, to expand MCAST’s presence on an international scale. This initiative aims to meet the evolving needs of industries and professionals in vocational areas while fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange on a global scale.

The Institute of Tourism Studies (ITS), Malta’s higher education institution focused on tourism and hospitality skills, is dedicated to building global partnerships. As outlined in its Strategic Plan 2021-2025, ITS aligns with international institutions to innovate education in a globally interconnected sector. 

Key collaborations with international institutions like The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, and Institut Lyfe (formerly Institute Paul Bocuse) have broadened its course offerings. ITS has also established satellite campuses in Jordan, Switzerland, and China, providing students with tailored higher education programmes.

In addition, ITS is engaged in Key Action 2 projects, such as EthAI Tour, focusing on the ethical implications of AI in tourism, in collaboration with Spain, Italy, and Greece; and FoodTuristic, which promotes sustainability through digital technology with partners from Ireland, France, and Slovenia. ITS also completed the Altourmed project on alternative tourism models with Greece and Italy. 

These global partnerships not only enhance education but also promote cultural exchange, diversity, and interconnectedness.

The University of Malta (UM) places great importance on fostering partnerships and engaging with international networks that enhance the European, global, and intercultural dimensions in higher education. By participating in these collaborations, UM enables a wide range of opportunities for both students and staff to engage in academic exchanges, research, and other collaborative activities. A list of these networks is highlighted below, with further details provided for some of the key partnerships that UM has been actively involved with in the past year.

• Compostela Group of Universities

• European Association of Erasmus Coordinators (EAEC)

• European University Association (EUA)

• European University Continuing Education Network (EUCEN)

• International Student Exchange Programme (ISEP)

• RETI Network - the Excellence Network of Island Territories

• Network of Universities of Small Countries and Territories (NUSCT)

Santander Group (SGroup) Universities in Europe

The University of Malta is a partner in the SGroup - Universities in Europe, a non-profit network founded in 1989 that includes over 48 higher education institutions from 23 European countries and 6 countries outside Europe. With more than 35 years of experience in fostering university collaboration, the SGroup aims to promote excellence in education and research while adapting to changing societal and educational needs. As part of its focus on internationalisation, academic collaboration, mobility, and knowledge transfer, the University of Malta participates in initiatives like blended intensive programmes, which are offered in partnership with various universities and are available through Erasmus+ opportunities.  This programme targets PhD, Masters, and final-year students in Engineering and aims to raise awareness about energy sustainability aligned with SDGs and EU policies.

US Fulbright Programme

The Fulbright Programme fosters collaboration between Malta and U.S. higher education institutions, with the University of Malta (UM) actively participating to promote mutual understanding and knowledge exchange. The Fulbright Visiting (Maltese) Scholar Programme for 2025-2026 targets Maltese faculty members and professionals, offering opportunities to teach, research, and share ideas at U.S. institutions. Facilitated by the U.S. Embassy and UM, this initiative aims to strengthen academic ties and enhance educational exchange between the two countries.

Utrecht Network - Young Researcher’s Grant

The Utrecht Network Young Researcher’s Grant offers short-term mobility opportunities for researchers, particularly at the PhD level, across partner universities. This grant, awarded annually, provides up to 20 scholarships of €1,200 each. It prioritises research-oriented students and offers flexibility in mobility periods, lasting a minimum of 4 weeks between 1st May of each year and 31st March of the year after. Applicants are responsible for self-organising their study or research period, including identifying research areas and securing a supervisor at the host institution. This grant fosters academic collaboration and exchange within the Utrecht Network, contributing to the advancement of knowledge and ideas across borders.  The University of Malta is a partner with the Utrecht Network, with collaboration extending beyond this single initiative, reflecting a broader commitment to international cooperation and academic development. 

Xjenza Malta

Xjenza Malta, the national agency for advancing scientific research and innovation, promotes international collaboration through programmes that help researchers access national and EU funding. It offers information sessions, one-to-one meetings, guidance on applications, and facilitates networking for potential partnerships.

Higher education institutions benefit from national funding schemes, which support travel, accommodation, and research expenses for global mobility. Xjenza Malta's joint research programmes foster international collaboration by bringing together experts from various countries to exchange knowledge and best practices.

As the National Contact Point for Horizon Europe (2021-2027), Xjenza Malta supports local researchers and organisations in securing EU funding. One notable scheme, the Postdoctoral Fellowship Training Scheme for Incoming Postdocs to Malta (PF2MT), provides lump sum grants for researchers to participate in Horizon Europe's MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship. 

Xjenza Malta administers several funding programmes for internationalisation, including bilateral agreements, multilateral schemes like PRIMA, Horizon Europe Partnerships, and Joint Actions under JPI Oceans. These initiatives address various themes, including health, digital technologies, and climate change.

Additionally, Xjenza Malta engages in regional dialogues like the 5+5 Dialogue and has managed the Platform for Mediterranean Research and Innovation (plumtri) since 2015, offering an online hub for networking and accessing research opportunities across the Mediterranean.