Education is key to stability in economic uncertainty
Economic uncertainty can lead to job losses and dwindling savings but nothing can take away one's knowledge, experience and skills, Paul Attard, president of Mcast's board of governors told graduates yesterday. Speaking during a ceremony when diplomas were distributed, Mr Attard stressed the severity of the prevailing international financial crisis, describing it as the worst yet. He encouraged students to keep studying and learning, bringing about prosperity for themselves and, ultimately, the whole country. He said the diplomas awarded were an indication of the level of competence achieved by students, adding that they would serve as a key through which they would unlock future careers or further studies.
This was not merely an end to a course, he emphasised, but an important stage in the lives of students as it indicated that they were maturing intellectually, psychologically, personally and socially. A college, he insisted, should not only educate students intellectually but also develop personalities, characters, values, attitudes, teamwork, mutual support, problem solving and creativity. Essentially, the personal development of students was as important as the acquisition of knowledge and skills. To this end, the education imparted to students should be wider than what they would need in order to simply work in one particular field. Without such an approach there can be little lifelong education and development.
Stefan De Battista, a student awarded a higher national diploma in 3D design, recounted the first days of the technical institute, emphasising how he matured and developed along with the institute itself. In recent years, he said, workshops and studios were modernised, restricted facilities were replaced with state-of-the-art working spaces and students were provided with the latest technology tools and instruments. He explained how the institute provided opportunities to students, adding that he himself benefited from various study programmes offered by the European Union. Such experience, he pointed out, opened up new doors to his future career.