MCAST and Max-Born Vocational College, Germany to Offer Joint Courses in Alternative Sources of Energy and Sustainable Growth
29-Apr-2010

Prof Maurice Grech, Principal of MCAST and Dr Lawrence Schulte-Bannert, Principal of Max-Born College, a vocational college in Germany, have recently signed a memorandum of agreement on behalf of the two institutions. Mr Emanuel Attard, Managing Director, MCAST Gateway to Industry, was present for the signing.

The Max-Born Berufskolleg is a technically-oriented college in Recklinghausen, a town in North Rhine-Westphalia, a federal state mainly known for its industrial past. With its capital Düsseldorf, NRW is the most densely populated federal state in Germany. As well as being a leading industrial region, an important international economic centre and a modern centre of technology, it is also a major base for culture and the media. The college lays particular emphasis on the engineering subjects and practical application in the fields of civil engineering, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering.

Collaboration between MCAST and Max-Born started over five years ago mainly as a result of projects, student and staff exchanges and placements in industry which proved to be of mutual benefit for all those who took part. Between 2005 and 2008, for example, the MCAST Institute of Building and Construction Engineering coordinated a technologically-oriented Comenius project entitled “Roofs of Europe”. Four countries participated in this project which took a closer look at the physical and mechanical properties of materials used for roofing. The project formed part of the Lifelong Learning programmes funded by the European Union.

Another project called “Prima Klima Box” studied heat transfer relating to the thermal behaviour of buildings. It is known that at least a third of the energy consumption of industrialized countries is lost on creating acceptable thermal and lighting conditions in buildings. Between them, these two projects led to the mobility of thirty-six students. A new project, which builds on the earlier experiences of both colleges, has already been submitted and is now being evaluated.

Also as a result of the collaboration during the last few years, six Maltese students and ten German students had been invited to take up work placements in industry, while two Maltese lecturers from the Institute of Building and Construction have in turn benefited from a one week Leonardo da Vinci training programme.

The aim of the memorandum, which was signed by both parties at Max-Born in Recklinghausen, is to consolidate what the two colleges have achieved so far. It is also planned to organize joint courses in the field of alternative sources of energy combined with sustainable growth. These courses will seek to exploit the knowhow of the two institutions and to encourage exchanges from which students and staff may continue to benefit. Both institutions aim to provide all the support necessary so that both MCAST and Max-Born take full advantage of one another’s strengths and expertise.

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