- Unprecedented investment in our students
- Around 500 students are expected to benefit
- A new scholarship scheme for Veterinary Studies unveiled
Minister for Education and Employment Owen Bonnici together with Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Sports and Voluntary Organisations Clifton Grima and Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi launched five scholarship schemes worth a total of €2.3 million.
The five scholarships schemes are Endeavour Scholarship Scheme, Tertiary Education (TESS) Scholarship Scheme, Malta Arts Scholarship Scheme, Malta Sports Scholarship Scheme, and the new Veterinary Studies Scholarship Scheme. Around 500 persons are expected to benefit from these 5 scholarship schemes.
Minister Owen Bonnici said that through this golden opportunity, a large number of students will be able to realise their dreams and further their studies. This is not only an investment in the students themselves, he said, but also an investment in the country.
He referred to the new Veterinary Studies Scholarships Scheme and said that €500,000 from national funds have been allocated towards this scheme. He said, “The need has long been felt to aid and assist students following courses in Veterinary Medicine. Our commitment to the educational sector is to do all that is possible to provide the best opportunities for the benefit of our students for them to have the best educational formation experience. This is done because we believe in our students’ capabilities and it is our goal to provide them with the best educational journey”.
Parliamentary Secretary Clifton Grima stated that the government is consistently working towards promoting sport as both a profession and discipline in Malta. Indeed, between 2013 and 2020 the government distributed a total of €850,000 in bursaries in the sports sector. Parliamentary Secretary Grima added that through these bursaries, the government continues to encourage the professional development of those involved in the sports sector and sports management. The number of individuals working in the sports sector is also on the increase, thus the sportive infrastructure in our country is continuously being reinforced.
Parliamentary Secretary, Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, said that the programme Endeavour, financed through European Funds, was intended to provide opportunities for more people to specialise in their area of expertise. Dr Zrinzo Azzopardi explained that this project gave aid to approximately 1,000 persons to continue their studies. In its totality, this programme will be investing 11 million euro in more education and training. He said as time passes by, the labour market is continuously evolving and requires more qualified people updated with all the latest knowledge. The parliamentary secretary remarked that training, education and most especially lifelong learning are key for the development of the workforce to adapt according to changes in the economy.
I) Veterinary Studies Scholarship Scheme
Courses leading to a doctorate in Veterinary Medicine (MQF Level 7) are to date not available locally. The launch of the Veterinary Studies Scholarships Scheme, students will get the opportunity, following the course for Doctor in Veterinary (MQF Level 7), to apply and be awarded a more rewarding financial package covering the duration of the whole course until completion and ultimately graduating in Veterinary Medicine at a recognized Institution and with level 7 certification of the Malta Qualification Framework.
The Scholarship Schemes
II) Endeavour Scholarship Scheme
€1,000,000 are being allocated for the Endeavour Scholarships Scheme in 2020. This scheme is to support good quality tertiary education and to ensure that the Maltese labour market is supplied with the right individuals and to guarantee that it is in a better position to compete at an international level. The scheme is aimed to support those pursuing this path to succeed both at the level of educational attainment as well as contributing effectively towards the economy.
The EndeavourScheme, which aims to address the above objectives, is part-financed by the European Union Operational Programme II – Cohesion Policy 2014 – 2020.
III) TESS Scholarship Scheme
€370,000 from national funds are available for the Tertiary Education Scholarship Scheme. TESS is another scheme open to postgraduate students, at level MQF Level 7 and MQF Level 8. The scheme aims to provide funding opportunities for students to pursue higher education study programmes and encourage students towards further levels of academic research.
IV) Malta Arts Scholarship Scheme
€330,000 from national funds will be distributed via the Malta Arts Scholarships Scheme. The Malta Arts Scholarships Scheme aims at providing more opportunities to support individuals who are exceptionally talented in the creation and/or promotion of professional in the Expressive Arts. Theatre, music, dance, design, creative writing, film, the visual arts or any combination thereof shall be given priority.
V) Sports Scholarship Scheme
€130,000 from national funds are being invested towards the Sports Scheme. The promulgation of sports at a professional level will promote the development of high-performance athletes who will eventually represent Malta in international competitions. The elevation of the status of sport in Malta will not only bring about a wider international recognition with positive economic benefits for the tourism industry but will also encourage the uptake of sport and physical activity across the country resulting in overall improvements in health and well-being of the population as a whole.
Other details
Applications for all Schemes will be open as from Monday, 13th of July.
Those who are interested can apply on myscholarship.gov.mt.