Six Study Loan Schemes Launched Through €6.75 Million Investment

Apr 30 2024

Minister for Education, Sports, Youth, Research, and Innovation Clifton Grima launched six study loan schemes worth a total of €6.75 million. These schemes include: the Veterinary Studies Loan Scheme; the Endeavour II Study Loan Scheme; the TESS Study Loan Scheme; the Arts Study Loan Scheme; the Sports Study Loan Scheme; and Reach High II.

Minister Clifton Grima emphasised that these study loans are direct investments in students, providing financial support to help them achieve their future aspirations. “For these study loan schemes, we are investing €6.75 million, €4.5 million from European funds and €2.25 million from National funds. We believe that strong investment in the educational sector and students guarantees success for them, for society, and for our country,” stated the minister.

Permanent Secretary within the Ministry Matthew Vella highlighted that these schemes demonstrate the investment being made in the educational sector, which has already benefited over 1,200 individuals in various fields. He stated that the ministry will continue its work through the National Education Strategy 2024-2030, which aims to transform the country’s education into one of quality, placing the individual at its core. Among the 153 initiatives of the strategy, some are geared towards specialized studies, including those in sports and the arts.

The study loan schemes are as follows:

I) Veterinary Studies Loan Scheme: This scheme allows students to pursue a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine (at Level 7 of the MQF) and receive financial support covering the entire duration of the course, leading to a recognised Veterinary Medicine qualification at Level 7 of the MQF. Winners of this study loan will receive a maximum of €14,000 per year for a period of 5 academic years.

II) Endeavour II Study Loan Scheme: This is the third call for applications under the Endeavour II Scholarships Scheme, allocating €2.5 million from the European Social Fund (ESF+). The scheme supports tertiary education (at Levels 7 and 8 of the MQF), ensuring that the Maltese labor market has the best individuals and ensuring competitiveness at an international level. The scheme aims to support those pursuing tertiary education to succeed both in acquiring education and contributing effectively to the economy. Post-university education is becoming increasingly important in the economic and social agenda of every country and contributes to the continuous professional development of many people.

III) TESS Study Loan Scheme: TESS (Tertiary Education Scholarships Scheme) is open to post-university students at Levels 7 and 8, providing financial support to those pursuing high-level education programs and encouraging students to increase their levels of academic research.

IV) Arts Study Loan Scheme: The Malta Arts Scholarships’ Scheme aims to provide more opportunities and support to individuals with exceptional talents in creating and/or promoting professionals in the Performing Arts, Theatre, Music, Dance, Design, Creative Writing, Film, Visual Arts, or any combination thereof. This scheme is also available to applicants aged 11 and above, at Levels 5 to 8 of the MQF.

V) Sports Study Loan Scheme: This scheme aims to elevate sports to a professional level and promote the development of high-performing athletes who will eventually represent Malta in international competitions. It targets applicants in two categories: Specialization in Sports and Academic Sports. The increase in sports status in Malta not only leads to international recognition but also encourages regular sports practice and physical activity throughout the country, resulting in overall improvement in the health and well-being of the entire population.

VI) Reach High II: This is the second call for which €2 million from the European Social Fund (ESF+) has been allocated. It is a study loan scheme aimed at post-doctoral grants. Post-doctoral research education is considered important as it provides the means through which research activity can be stimulated within universities and industries. This scheme builds on the previous Reach High scheme. The grant covers, among other things, the stipend, travel, and direct research expenses.

More details can be found here.

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Steve Zammit Lupi’s Mum Joins Local Council Election With Son

Apr 30 2024

Young activist Steve Zammit Lupi will be joined by his mother Elizabeth Zammit Lupi, as an independent candidate for Ħaż-Żebbuġ’s local council election.

This means that Ħaż-Żebbuġ could have a mother son independent duo in their local council, something that has never been seen in Malta.

Ħaż-Żebbuġ’s ballot sheet is one of the most diverse if not the most diverse with there being three independent candidates, the Zammit Lupis and 21-year old Joel Chircop.

Steve has made a name for himself as an independent councilor and will now hope that his mother will also be joining him as one of Malta’s few independent councilor.

Incumbent Mayor Mark Camilleri will not be contesting the election again, meaning that there is a chance that Ħaż-Żebbuġ will have an independent mayor.

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Beautification And Maintenance Projects In Ħal Qormi

Apr 30 2024

Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government Alison Zerafa Civelli, together with the Mayor of Ħal Qormi Josef Masini Vento, visited three beautification and maintenance projects in the heart of the locality of Ħal Qormi.

Parliamentary Secretary Alison Zerafa Civelli emphasized the importance of local councils not only implementing new projects but also focusing on maintenance, upkeep, and support for places and zones throughout all localities.

She highlighted that the government periodically launches schemes to support this objective so that local councils have the necessary resources for the maintenance of projects in the heart of their localities.

The local council of Ħal Qormi replaced streetlights with extensive damage caused by natural elements with ornamental streetlights that complement the typical characteristics of a Maltese village along Triq il-Kbira and in Misraħ San Franġisk.

Maintenance and beautification work were also carried out in a small square in the Blat area, undertaken by the employees of the local council of Ħal Qormi themselves.

Ħal Qormi’s mayor Josef Masini Vento highlighted the importance for local councils to have the necessary funds to keep on carrying out projects that are for the benefit of the locality and the residents.

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LESA Ordered Not To Fine Maltese Before Election, Jason Azzopardi Claims

Apr 30 2024

Taking to social media, former PN MP Jason Azzopardi claimed that three LESA officials have independently informed him that they are under orders not to fine Maltese residents in May.

This is due to the incoming European Parliament and Local Council elections.

‘It is just to be reasonable’, said Azzopardi. ‘But to be morally corrupt to the extent that you don’t do your job simply because of an upcoming election and then start issuing fines after June for every little thing is unacceptable.’

‘That is also a form of corruption’, concluded Jason.

MaltaDaily has reached out to the relevant authorities for comment and is awaiting a response.

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