Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1503087
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 2 JULY 2023 8 COMMERCIAL MCAST hosts prospective students during vibrant open day events THE Malta College for Arts, Sci- ence, and Technology (MCAST) successfully hosted prospective students and their families during open day events held on 23 June and 25 June 2023 at the College's Main Campus in Paola and the Mosta Campus. Hundreds of visitors attend- ed the open day enthusiastically, seeking information about educa- tion and training opportunities. During the Open Day, the College launched the MCAST 'Friends of the Library' initiative, allowing the general public to use the College's library facilities, fur- ther enhancing the prospect of transforming MCAST into a com- munity college for all. Representa- tives from various Local Councils attended the event. Aspiring students had the op- portunity to explore first-hand the MCAST campus and discov- er the college facilities, including labs, workshops, and simulators. This experience helped visitors fa- miliarise themselves with the dy- namic learning environment that awaits them next October. During the information talks held by MCAST Institutes, attend- ees enthusiastically participated by asking questions about various courses, teaching approaches, and potential careers they could land within the industry. All 6 Institutes also showcased their work and projects, allowing prospective students to under- stand what they would do when following vocational courses at the College. Particular sectors were highlighted, including the avia- tion sector. Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul companies (MROs) were present to speak to students about employment opportunities. MCAST students following courses at the Institute of Creative Arts (ICA) had the opportunity to showcase their creative projects, including art and design projects, creative media, and fashion de- sign projects, to visitors who at- tended the Open Day at the Mo- sta campus. Prospective students showed a keen interest in courses and training offered by the ICA, designed to equip them with the latest knowledge and skills to suc- ceed within the creative industry. MCAST Principal and CEO Professor Joachim James Calleja met and greeted visitors. Profes- sor Calleja said, "This event allows aspiring students to discover the vocational educational college and understand the process behind of- fering quality education and train- ing. "The college prides itself on of- fering a truly inclusive and sup- portive environment, and this was reflected in the open-day ac- tivities. Our staff and current stu- dents are our ambassadors as they showcase innovative projects in engineering, information technol- ogy, arts, social care, and applied science. Our doors are open to all those who want to take the next step in their learning and career. At MCAST, you can work, earn money and learn. " MCAST's career guidance advi- sors also explained and provided individual guidance. By brain- storming potential work roles and jobs, advisors could guide the var- ious suitable learning paths availa- ble at MCAST. Moreover, information about application procedures, appren- ticeships and stipends was also offered. Online applications for courses starting in October will open on 17 July. Satellite-based irrigation system delivers right amount of water to farmers' crops TOO little or too much water can be disastrous for plants so Irreo, an Italian start-up, has devised an automated irriga- tion system that uses satel- lite information to deliver the right amount of water to crops depending on soil, weather and other factors. Irreo is us- ing Melita Limited connectiv- ity, after the Maltese telecom company supported an accel- eration programme for Euro- pean start-ups to develop 5G and Internet of Things (IoT) based products and services. With the ability to adjust ir- rigation within a single field, Irreo's solution can improve crops yield and save farmers money by calculating crop's needs based on the season, weather forecasts, soil mois- ture, plant behaviour and more, adapting irrigation ac- cordingly. Irreo's CEO, Andrea Po- mente, said: "Irreo is a simple, innovative and relatively cheap system that aims to maxim- ise soil yield in terms of crop quality and quantity and to op- timise water and energy con- sumption related to irrigation activities, without the need to install and maintain probes or sensors in the field. With Irreo the farmer has a tool that sup- ports him in taking more con- scious and wise daily decisions to better manage crops." The system has an accuracy of nine square meters and also warns farmers of weather phe- nomena that will occur in the following days, giving time to schedule the optimal irrigation strategy in advance.