MCAST issues open call for Principal and CEO

On Friday (today), the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) issued a call for a Principal and CEO to replace Joachim James Calleja.

The Education Ministry confirmed the end of Prof. Calleja’s tenure on Monday. This was followed by the announcement of the appointment of a temporary interim committee “to ensure continuity in the college.”

One of the roles the committee was tasked with, among many others, was to issue a call for a new Principal.

The open call details the job description of the upcoming Principal and CEO. It highlights that the main objective is to lead MCAST in order to achieve its vision and fulfils its mission.

“The Principal and CEO will play a key role in developing MCAST’s diverse educational and training agenda at a local and international level,” the call states.

Furthermore, the open call lists several key duties and responsibilities.

Among these, the new principal will need to “provide inspirational leadership to all the staff and students while ensuring the delivery of an excellent academic, vocational and organisational performance.”

The duties detail the importance of collaborative work with the Board of Governors and its President and highlights the importance of keeping it full informed on key aspects of performance, major developments and projects.

“As the Principal and CEO, [they must] ensure that MCAST fulfils all statutory and regulatory, ethical, financial, and legal obligations and other requirements of the Government,” the duties say.

Applicants for the role must have at least a recognised MQF Level 8 in Education or Management with 10 years of working experience in a leadership position.

Another option would be for the applicant to be in possession of a recognised Master’s degree in education or management with 15 years of experience in a leadership position.

In addition, the applicant should have a proven track record in an educational institution, with a special preference for tertiary or vocational education. Three reference letters are also requested to highlight the track record of the experience.

Applications will remain open until 8th July 2024 at noon.

‘He was not made aware of the decision by the Ministry’

Prof. Calleja has served in the role for the past six years and noted that his contract was not renewed by the Ministry, despite reports that he was removed from his post following industrial action.

In comments given to the media, he added that after turning 65 years old, the contract was renewed on a yearly basis, as is standard practice. Now, Prof. Calleja is 67 years old.

He insisted that he “was not made aware of any decision by the Ministry to fire him and that he was set to complete his contract until the end of the academic year in August.”

The Malta Union of Teachers (MUT) had been in a long-running dispute with Government over an out-of-date collective agreement resulting in ongoing industrial action at MCAST.

However, on Friday, following multiple discussions, the MUT suspended its directives after reaching an agreement with Government.