Ministry of Education

MINISTRY


	Regulations in pdf
	Letter of Reference
	Application Form

	Undergraduate Courses

Malta Government Scholarship Scheme

Post-Graduate Courses

1. Introduction

1.1

Malta is witnessing a significant overall expansion in the higher education sector. In a knowledge-based economy, it is to have a strong base of Masters and Doctorate programmes researching innovative and creative hypothesis that ultimately bring intellectual and economic growth to society.

1.2

High quality postgraduate education is of central importance to a number of objectives among others:

•	The increase of research and development activity in Malta;
•	The development of new academics and fields of study and research;
•	An ever more highly skilled workforce;
•	The precious impact and social benefit of groundbreaking discoveries.

1.3

Postgraduate education forms an increasingly important part of any country’s economic and social agenda. It is a key element in lifelong learning. For this purpose, the Malta Government Scholarships Post-Graduate Scheme for 2010 (MGSS-PG 2010) aims at providing more opportunities to promote further specialisation at higher levels of education particularly at a Masters and Doctoral level.

1.4

The Ministry of Education, Employment and the Family is cognisant of study trends; the role of the Applicant within his/her family; and the exigencies of our economy within a globalised perspective. The MGGS scheme is proactive and therefore it is introducing new concepts in this call.

2. Aims and Objectives

2.1

The key objectives of the MGSS-PG 2010 are to:

•	assist exceptional applicants to pursue further levels of academic research;

•	encourage and promote more participation at a postgraduate level of academic research), both locally and internationally;

•	contribute towards research in identified areas of national priority;

•	increase research activity at the University of Malta;

•	increase the capacity and level of research, innovation and development activity in Malta.

3. Explanatory Notes

3.1

Agreement shall mean a legally binding document to be signed by the Scholarship Awardee as beneficiary of the Scholarship and the Director for Lifelong Learning. The Agreement shall include these Regulations. The Agreement has to be signed by not later than three months after the commencement of studies or the publication of rankings, whichever comes last.

3.2

Appeals Board shall mean a Board appointed by the Minister of Education, entrusted with dealing with petitions by Applicants and Scholarship Awardees when contesting decisions taken by the MGSS Board over the interpretation/s of these Regulations.

3.3

Applicant shall mean a person that submits a scholarship application.

3.4

Directorate for Lifelong Learning is the entity within the Ministry of Education, Employment and the Family which administers the MGSS-PG 2010.

3.5

Doctoral Programme shall mean a research-related programme of higher education study that:

•	follows a higher education degree and leads to a doctoral degree by higher education institution, or,

•	in those Member States of the European Union (henceforth called EU) where there is accordance with national legislation and practice, by a research centre.

3.6

ECTS shall mean European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System

3.7

EQF (European Qualifications Framework) shall act as a translation device to make national qualifications more readable across Europe, promoting workers’ and learners’ mobility between countries and facilitating their lifelong learning.

3.8

Higher Education shall mean all types of courses of study, or sets of courses of study, training or training for research at the graduate or post graduate level which are recognised by the relevant national authorities of a participating country as belonging to its higher education system, and which are equivalent to either Masters degree studies equivalent to EQF Level 7 or Doctoral degree studies equivalent to EQF Level 8.

3.9

Higher Education Institution shall mean an establishment providing higher education and recognized by the competent national authority of a participating country as belonging to its system of higher education.

3.10

ISCED shall mean International Standard Classification of Education.

3.11

Joint Degree shall mean a single degree issued by at least two higher education institutions offering an integrated programme and recognized officially in the countries where the degree-awarding institutions are located.

3.12

Masters Programme shall mean a second cycle higher education programme that

•	follows a first degree or equivalent level of learning, and

•	leads to a Masters level qualification offered by a higher education institution with a minimum of 60 ECTS.

3.13

MGSS Board shall mean a Board appointed by the Minister responsible for Education, entrusted with the ranking of Applicants for the awarding of Scholarships and overseeing the scheme.

3.14

MGSS-PG 2010 shall mean the Mata Government Scholarship Post-Graduate Scheme. The Scheme launched in 2010 is regulated with these Regulations.

3.15

Scholarship shall mean an award of financial aid for an Applicant to further education. At the end of the Scholarship, the Scholarship Awardee is to have proof that s/he has completed successfully the programme of studies for which the Applicant has applied for.

3.16

Scholarship Awardee shall mean the Applicant who is granted the Scholarship.

3.17

Unconditional Letter of Acceptance shall mean a letter issued by the Registrar (or a designated high authority) of the University or Higher Education Institution which shall have the following details:

•	A clear statement by the University or the Higher Education Institution that it is unconditionally accepting the Applicant to follow a programme of studies;

•	The commencement date of studies;

•	The end date of studies (which shall mean when the results are expected to be published);

•	All Fees incurred to follow the programme of studies (if applicable);

•	Any other information required by the Director for Lifelong Learning or the MGSS Board.

It is the duty of the Applicant to ensure that when s/he chooses a University or Higher Education Institution, this is in a position to issue such an Unconditional Letter of Acceptance with these details. This has to be in the form of an original letter, signed by the Registrar of the University (or delegated high authority). Scanned, PDF copies or other electronically transmitted formats shall be accepted PROVISIONALLY in terms of Clause 8.2. The original copy of the Unconditional Letter of Acceptance must be produced before the signing of the Agreement.

4. Eligibility

4.1

In order to apply for the MGSS, an Applicant should by closing date of these Applications, that 9 July, 2010:

4.1.1

(a)

Be a Maltese citizen who has been residing in Malta for the past five (5) years. Provided that for the purposes of calculating this 5 year requirement, consideration shall not be given to such period of time during which such Maltese citizen has been residing outside Malta for study, health or work purposes or any other purpose which the Board may consider, or

(b)

Be a Maltese Citizen who is a worker or self-employed person in Malta, or

(c)

Be a national of an EU/EEA state or a family member of such EU/EEA national (as defined in LN 191 of 2007 and in LN 205 of 2004 respectively for EU and EEA nationals), provided that such person has obtained permanent residence in Malta in accordance with LN 191 of 2007 and in LN 205 of 2004 respectively for EU and EEA nationals, or

(d)

Be a national of an EU/EEA state who is in Malta exercising his/her Treaty rights as a worker, self-employed person or person retaining such status in accordance with LN 191 of 2007; or

(e)

Be a third country national who has been granted long-term residence status under LN 278 of 2006.

4.1.2

Be applying for either Masters degree studies equivalent to MQF Level 7 or Doctoral degree studies equivalent to MQF Level 8.

4.1.3

Be applying for a course of post-graduate studies which has not started before 1 May 2010.

4.1.4

Not be in possession of a degree at the same level of that they are applying for (Applicants with doctoral degrees from the Faculty of Laws and Faculty of Medicine and Surgery from the University of Malta, are eligible to apply under this scheme, and shall apply for a Masters or a Doctoral level Scholarship).

4.1.5

Hold by application deadline the following qualifications from a recognised higher education institution:

Applicants for Masters degree scholarships:

•	an Honours degree of at least a second class standard, or

•	a post graduate qualification (excluding Masters) with a first general degree of at least an upper second class standard.

Provided that Applicants with a General Degree of Grade 1 classification, for which no Honours Degree was available in Malta, can also apply.

Applicants for Doctorate degree scholarships:

•	an Honours degree of at least a second class standard, or

•	post graduate qualification (excluding Masters) with a first general degree of at least a second class standard, orr

•	a Masters degree.

Provided that Applicants with a General Degree of Grade 1 classification, for which no Honours Degree was available in Malta, can also apply.

4.2

Provisional applications will also be accepted from Applicants in their final year of studies who will receive their qualifications’ results after the closing date but by not later than 15 September 2010.

4.3

It is the responsibility of Applicants, in possession of qualifications awarded by foreign Universities/Higher Education Institutions, to produce an evaluation report on comparability of qualifications issued by the Malta Qualifications Recognition Information Centre (MQRIC) within the Ministry of Education, Employment and the Family. A copy of the said report issued by the MQRIC, or the designated authority in case of warrants, should be attached to the application, with the original presented at the interview. Applicants not in possession of this report may still apply, provided that they submit a copy of the report to the receiving MGSS Board as soon as it becomes available and in any case by not later than 15 September 2010.

4.3.1

Applicants whose qualifications are obtained from a foreign University or Higher Education Institution listed on the website of MQRIC as Approved Institutions (http://www.mqc.gov.mt/mqric), are not required to produce the evaluation report on comparability of qualifications, as long as the course is listed as one of the regular courses of the University.

4.4

Applications submitted by employees of the Public Service/Public Sector require the endorsement of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry concerned through the Head of the relative Department subject to written confirmation whether leave of absence for the duration of the course has been granted. Clause 14.3 of these regulations will apply to those with approved paid leave of absence for the duration of the course.

4.5

Applicants in possession of other national/ESF (or a combination of both) public grants or national/ESF (or a combination of both) scholarships for the same course or programme shall be deemed ineligible to the MGSS scheme. In the event that an Applicant is granted a MGSS Scholarship and the Director for Lifelong Learning discovers, after the grant of such MGSS Scholarship, that the Scholarship Awardee had, at any point in time, whether prior to the award of the MGSS Scholarship, or after such award, accepted any such national/ESF public grant or national/ESF scholarship, the Scholarship Awardee shall be liable to refund the Amount/s up to then granted to him/her in full, and this without prejudice to any other legal action which may be taken with this regard.

Provided that any scholarships or any other supplementary grants awarded to the Scholarship Awardee shall be notified to and approved by the MGSS Board, whether such are awarded to the Applicant prior to the MGSS Scholarship or throughout the duration of the Scholarship. For the avoidance of doubt, any scholarships or supplementary grants awarded at any time to the Applicant in relation to the course of studies for which the Scholarship shall be granted shall be approved by the MGSS Board. Applicant should also consult Clause 14.5 and Sub-Clause 14.5.1.

4.6

Applicants are to commence their studies by 30 April 2011.

5. Types of Scholarships

5.1	The Malta Government Scholarships Post-Graduate Scheme shall support:

	(a)	Full-time Masters (of up to 24 calendar months) or Doctoral postgraduate courses (of up to 48 calendar months). Joint degrees or split-site programmes may be considered as long as documentation is provided indicating the lead degree awarding institution.

	(b)	Masters and Doctoral programmes offered on a part-time or distance learning basis shall be considered, provided that the duration of the course for Masters does not exceed sixty (60) calendar months and for Doctoral programme does not exceed eighty four (84) calendar months.

6. Priority Areas of Study

6.1

All Applicants are expected to present their research proposals and all applications will be duly evaluated.

6.2

In consultation with the Malta Council for Science and Technology (MCST) it has been established that the following areas should be considered as High Priority Areas of Study. For the purpose of Article 13 (Value of Awards), the following are considered to be High Priority Areas of Studies:

• Aerospace	- Aeronautics, aircraft maintenance and composite structures.

• Education:	- Quality of curricula. - Quality assurance. - Specialisation in inclusive educational services and special needs. - Educational Psychologists. - Counsellors.

• Environment:	- Energy efficiency and alternative energy (solar energy, solar cooling, wind energy, bio-energy/bio fuel, energy from waste and energy efficient buildings). - Water (conservation of rainwater, consumption efficiency and efficient desalination). - Waste (Waste Rehabilitation Technologies). - Soil - Marine Sciences, Marine Management, Maritime affairs and fisheries. - Climate change. - Physical sciences, in particular seismology and atmospheric monitoring.

• Digital Games Production

• Food:	- Food safety and Quality.

• Health Biotechnology:	- eHealth, telemedicine and bio-informatics as relating to local health, including diabetes, asthma, obesity, heart disease, cancer. - Development of human genetics and genealogy databases to support clinical trials including, pharmacogenetics ones. - Biotechnology particularly bio-generic production and contract research as a follow-on for generic pharma industry. - GMO analysis

• High Value Added Manufacturing	- Digital manufacturing. - High tech materials. - Nanotechnology. - Production Design.

• ICT:	- Software development related to bridging technologies in security, hardware, telecommunications, health, marine and specialised applications. - Software technologies related to hardware and other telecommunications equipment related to satellites, switches, GIS. - ICT and security - Microelectronics. - Hardware Software - Telecoms and Satellite Software. - Specialised applications such as GIS.

• Social science & Humanities:	- Science education and popularization - Science-society studies - S & T curricula. - Research and innovation policy. - Innovation Economics and econometrics. - Research and Innovation Statistics. - Knowledge transfer - Intellectual property management. - Technology entrepreneurship.
• Social Work

6.3

The MGSS Board may further receive recommendations from the Ministry of Education, Employment and the Family with regards to the above list of High Priority Areas of Study, according to national needs and criteria. Any recommendations will be incorporated in the selection criteria to be used by the MGSS Board.

7. Tenure and Placement

7.1	Awards are tenable at any local or international university or higher education institution for a specific programme of study or research. Only those institutions recognised by the Maltese authorities shall be taken into consideration by the MGSS Board.

7.2	It shall be the responsibility of Applicants, applying for qualifications awarded by foreign Universities/tertiary education institutions, to produce an evaluation report on comparability of qualifications issued by the Malta Qualifications Recognition Information Centre (MQRIC) within the Ministry of Education, Employment and the Family. A copy of the said report issued by the MQRIC, should be attached to the application, with the original presented at the interview. Candidates not in possession of this report may still apply, provided that they submit a copy of the report to the receiving department as soon as it becomes available and in any case by not later than 15 September 2010.

	7.2.1	Applicants whose course is at a foreign University or Higher Education Institution listed on the website of MQRIC as Approved Institutions (http://www.mqc.gov.mt/mqric), are not required to produce the evaluation report on comparability of qualifications as long as the qualification was obtained after following a reular course of study.


7.3	The MQRIC may be contacted as follows: Malta Qualifications Recognition Information Centre (MQRIC) 16/18 Tower Promenade, St. Lucia, SLC 1019 Tel. No.: (+356) 2754 0051 Fax No.: (+356) 2180 8758 E-mail: mqc@gov.mt

8. Choice of Institution

8.1	The final decision with regard to the choice of the institution of study will be made by the MGSS Board, which reserves the right to overrule any preferences expressed by the candidate at the application stage.

8.2	Applicants are, however, expected to identify up to three institutions and courses that they consider most appropriate on the application form. Applicants should have by 15 September, 2010, one unconditional acceptance in writing from an institution listed in their preferences.

8.3	The MGSS Board will not allow any changes to the institution/s and/or course/s for which the Applicant has been provisionally selected after the MGSS Board performs the interview, unless exceptional information becomes available that could not have been foreseen at the time of application.

8.4	Many courses have strict admission deadlines and Applicants must take the necessary steps to secure admission to their preferred institutions in advance of any scholarship application to the Malta Government Scholarships Scheme Board. Applicants should note that a number of university departments will require an Applicant to demonstrate a valid GMAT or GRE score before an offer of admission can be made. Applicants should check admission requirements carefully at the time of application.

9. Administration of the MGSS

9.1	The MGSS Post-Graduate Scheme is administered by the Directorate for Lifelong Learning within the Ministry of Education, Employment and the Family.

9.2	The MGSS Board, set up by the Minister responsible for Education, shall operate the process of selection. The MGSS Board shall be responsible for all matters concerning the selection and determination of appropriate awards according to the regulations.

9.3	All correspondence is to be addressed to: The Secretary Malta Government Scholarships Scheme Board Directorate for Lifelong Learning Great Siege Road, Floriana, VLT2000. Malta Tel. No.: (+356) 2598 2250 / 2598 2230 Fax No.: (+356) 2598 2120 E-mail: pgscholarships.meef@gov.mt Website: www.education.gov.mt/mgss_pg.htm

10. Application Forms

10.1

Applicants are invited to apply using the appropriate Application Forms which are available from the Customer Care Office, Directorates for Education, Great Siege Road, Floriana, VLT2000, or online from the following here.

10.2

The Applicant shall complete in full and sign one application form and submit it to the MGSS Board together with the following:

i)	Four (4) copies of the Applicant’s University/College transcripts (detailed);

ii)	Four (4) copies of the letter of acceptance from the University applied for;

iii)	One (1) original and three (3) copies of the Appendix (of Proposal)

iv)	Four (4) certified copies of the MQRIC evaluation reports (where applicable);

v)	One (1) copy of Identity Card;

vi)	In case of Applicants with disability one (1) copy of the special identity card issued by KNPD (Kummissjoni Nazzjonali Persuni b’Dizabilita`)

vii)	In the case of Applicants going through a period of special circumstance, documentation to support their special circumstance.

10.3

Three (3) Reference Letter forms for academic referees are to be sent by the Applicants to their respective referees of their choice, who in turn should send the completed form (and any other reference letter they may wish to submit), in a sealed envelope to:

The Secretary
Malta Government Scholarships Scheme Board
Directorate for Lifelong Learning
Great Siege Road,
Floriana, VLT2000.
Malta
Tel. No.: (+356) 2598 2250 / 2598 2230
Fax No.: (+356) 2598 2120
E-mail: pgscholarships.meef@gov.mt

10.4

Templates of these forms may be collected from the Customer Care Office, Directorates for Education, Great Siege Road, Floriana, VLT2000 or downloaded from here.

10.5

Applications for scholarships are required to arrive at the:

Customer Care Services
Directorates for Education
Great Siege Road
Floriana. VLT2000, Malta.

Tel. No.: +356 2598 2463
Free Phone: 1571

10.6

Late applications shall not be considered by the Malta Government Scholarships Scheme Board.

10.7

All Applicants are to request an acknowledgement for receipt of application from the receiving office if the form is submitted by hand. Alternatively, applications sent by mail are to be sent by registered post. The Applicant has to ensure that the application is received by the respective deadline.

10.8

The application deadline is Friday 9th July 2010 at noon (CET).

11. Selection Process

11.1	The role of the MGSS Board is to evaluate and select candidates according to pre-established criteria. Awards made by the MGSS Board are subject to the final approval of the Minister responsible for Education.

11.2	Each application is considered as follows: • the MGSS Board shall, where and as necessary, appoint an expert with expertise in the subject area concerned to evaluate the application; • the MGSS Board itself shall consider the application and any advice submitted by appointed experts;

11.3	The Ministry of Education, Employment and the Family has also appointed an Appeals Board to deal with objections raised by Applicants after they are informed in writing with the decisions of the MGSS Board.

11.4	The Appeals Board shall only address appeals from the MGSS Board’s decisions on matters related to procedure or interpretation of the regulations in terms of eligibility, awards, and other decisions related to the granting of a Scholarship. Under no circumstance shall the Appeals Board change the score of Applicants deriving from interviews by the MGSS Board, nor change the ranking of an Applicant as a result of such score.

11.5	If an Applicant disagrees with the MGSS Board or any other procedure under these Regulations, the Applicant or Scholarship Awardee may present a petition to the Malta Government Scholarships Scheme Appeals Board within five (5) working days from the date when the MGSS Board or the Secretary communicates decision/s to the Applicant in writing.

12. Selection Criteria

12.1

Applications shall be considered on the basis of the following selection criteria:

•	Academic merit of the candidate.

•	The quality of the proposal.

•	Local availability of courses.

•	The likely impact of the work on the development of Malta.

For those who are shortlisted, the MGSS Board may consult further with KNPD (Kummissjoni Nazzjonali Persuni b’Dizabbilta’) to evaluate the nature of disability with respect to undergoing further studies and whether this disability should be considered for the purpose of this Article.

13. Value of Awards

13.1	Value of award for full-time Masters Programme in Malta or outside Malta:

	• For Masters Courses provided by a recognised University, the Scholarship grant will be Euro 6,000 per annum, provided that for courses listed in Clause 6.2 as High Priority Areas of Study, additional funds may be allocated by MGSS Board if proof is provided by the Applicant that the course fee/s exceeds Euro 6,000 per annum. The additional funds that may be allocated cannot exceed Euro 7,000 per annum, that is, the total Scholarship cannot exceed the sum of Euro 13,000 per annum. The additional funds will be limited to cover pro-rata that part of course fee/s that exceeds Euro 6,000 per annum. • Applicants will be generally expected to follow one academic year courses, however programmes of a longer duration up to a maximum period of twenty four (24) calendar months will be considered by the MGSS Board.

13.2	Value of award for full-time Doctoral Programme in Malta or outside Malta:

	• For Doctoral programmes provided by a recognised University, the Scholarship grant will be Euro 8,500 per annum, provided that for courses listed in Clause 6.2 as High Priority Areas of Study, additional funds may be allocated by MGSS Board if proof is provided by the Applicant that the course fee/s exceeds Euro 8,500 per annum. The additional funds that may be allocated cannot exceed Euro 13,500 per annum, that is, the total Scholarship cannot exceed the sum of Euro 22,000 per annum. The additional funds will be limited to cover pro-rata that part of course fee/s that exceeds Euro 8,500 per annum. • The above mentioned additional funds may be allocated during the first three (3) years of Doctoral programme if Applicant holds a Masters Degree at the beginning of this programme OR may be allocated during the second, third and fourth year of studies of Doctoral programme if Applicant does not hold a Masters Degree at the beginning of this programme. No additional funds may be allocated during other years. • The MGSS Board may allocate additional funds to successful Scholarship Awardees if part of the research is undertaken at a Research Institute approved by the Malta Council for Science and Technology (MCST). The research has to be approved by the University as part of the programme of studies undertaken by the Scholarship Awardee and accredited by the same University. The research must be related to one of the High Priority Areas of Study as listed in Clause 6.2. The additional funds that may be allocated cannot exceed Euro 13,500 per annum, that is, the total Scholarship cannot exceed the sum of Euro 22,000 per annum. The amount of additional funds allocated to the Scholarship Awardee will be determined by the MGSS Board and the MCST. • Applicants will be generally expected to follow programmes lasting three years; however programmes of a longer duration up to a maximum period of four (4) years will be considered by the MGSS Board. • The MGSS Board may consider under exceptional circumstances to extend by a further 12 months the period of completion of the studies in the case of studies leading to a Doctoral degree. If this extension is granted by the MGSS Board, the scheme does not allocate funds during this extension.

13.3	Value of award for part-time or distance learning Masters programmes in Malta or outside Malta:

	• For Masters courses provided by a recognised University through distance learning or on a part-time basis, the Scholarship grant will be Euro 6,000 for the entire duration of the course. The grant shall be split in equal instalments over the whole duration of the course.

13.4	Value of award for part-time or distance learning Doctoral programmes in Malta or outside Malta:

	• For Doctoral courses provided by a recognised University through distance learning or on a part-time basis, the Scholarship grant will be Euro 12,000 for the entire duration of the course, provided that for courses listed in Clause 6.2 as High Priority Areas of Study, additional funds may be allocated by MGSS Board if proof is provided by the Applicant that the course fee/s exceeds Euro 12,000 for the entire programme. The additional funds that may be allocated cannot exceed Euro 13,000 for the entire programme, that is, the total Scholarship cannot exceed the sum of Euro 25,000 for the entire programme. The additional funds will be limited to cover pro-rata that part of course fee/s that exceeds Euro 12,000 for the entire programme. The grant shall be split in equal instalments over the whole duration of the course.

13.5	Payments of Scholarship grant is effected as follows:

	• For full-time Masters and Doctoral Awardees, the payment (including additional grants where applicable) is effected to the Awardee at the beginning of each Academic Year. During the last year of studies, the payment is split in two instalments: 50% at the beginning of the academic year and 50% on presentation of the results by the Awardee to the Secretary of the MGSS Board. This also applies for Awardees pursuing Masters Studies of a duration of one academic year.

	• For part-time and distance learning programmes leading to Masters and Doctoral degrees, the payment is split equally on the number of course years. Payments are effected to the Awardee at the beginning of each Academic Year, except for the last instalment. Authorisation of the last instalment is effected when the Awardee presents the final results to the Secretary of the MGSS Board.

13.6	Additional benefits are awarded for full-time programmes. These additional benefits are over and above the funds quoted above.

	For Scholarship Awardees selected by the MGSS Board an allowance is payable as prescribed below. It is not paid when spouse is also in receipt of an award.

	a)	For Scholarship Awardees and who are following full-time studies in a foreign University or Higher Education Institution outside Malta, an additional allowance of Euro 2,500 per annum shall be given to cover additional costs related to studying abroad, provided that studying abroad should mean, resident abroad throughout the whole programme of studies. Scholarship Awardee shall be required to provide official documentation from the University authorities that he/she is actually attending at the University or Higher Education Institution on a regular weekly basis.

	b)	For Scholarship Awardees with children (including a Scholarship Awardee who is widowed, separated or a single parent), a child allowance is payable at the rate of Euro 1,165 per year for the first child, and € 700 for any additional child under the age of 15, provided they are residing with their parents.

	c)	For married Scholarship Awardees awarded Doctorate programmes exceeding one academic year, a marriage allowance of € 2,330 per annum is payable provided that the husband and wife are residing together at the same address in Malta on the closing date of applications.

	d)	Scholarship Awardees from Gozo, following Masters or Doctoral course in Malta, and awarded a scholarship, will be entitled to additional maintenance supplement of Euro 1,050 per annum for the duration of the course. Such Scholarship Awardees would need to give evidence that they have attended school in Gozo for at least three scholastic years and are currently living in Gozo.

	e)	Scholarship Awardees with a disability taking up full-time on-campus studies abroad may also request in advance an additional subsidy to contribute towards the added expense incurred in relation to their impairment. Every such request shall be evaluated by the MGSS Board on a case by case basis. The maximum amount that the MGSS Board can refund is € 2,000 per annum, against original receipts to support the reimbursement.

	f)	The MGSS Board, in consultation with the Minister responsible for Education, may adopt different grants on a case by case basis, where extraordinary circumstances warrant such conditions.

13.17	The income from this scholarship scheme shall not be subject to income tax.

13.18	The Ministry of Education, Employment and the Family will reserve the right to award the University of Malta the sum of Euro 3,495 per annum up to a maximum Euro 10,485, towards expenses incurred by the faculty at the University of Malta where a full-time doctorate programme is being followed, provided that no bench fees are charged. This contribution will help to alleviate education materials and supervisory costs. For part time doctorate programmes, the same amount may be spread over the duration of the course.

14. General Conditions of Award

	Application stage

14.1	It is important that Applicants indicate clearly at the point of application the qualification for which they are applying, especially if they wish to be considered for a Scholarship intended to lead to a doctoral degree (e.g. M.Phil. as a first year in a 3 year Doctoral programme). This will enable the MGSS Board to consider the application in the correct category.

14.2	Applicants shall be expected to seek prior visa approval (where applicable) for any proposed studies abroad.

14.3	In the case of selected Applicants for full-time Masters or full-time Doctoral courses who are employed on full-time employment contracts and receiving paid leave of absence, the grant shall be 75% of the allocated funds.

14.4	In the case of selected Applicants for full-time Masters or full-time Doctoral courses which do not have any course fees, the grant shall be 25% of the allocated funds.

14.5	Supplementary awards or grants to MGSS scholarship for the same course of programme of studies must be declared at the point of interview or before formally accepting the other awards or grants. All declarations require approval from the MGSS Board. Any unapproved awards additional to Malta Government Scholarship Scheme for the same course or programme shall be deemed to be in breach of the contract and cancellation of award and refund of all funds granted by then shall be required by the Ministry of Education, Employment and the Family.

	14.5.1	The MGSS Board reserves the right to deduct a percentage of the scholarship grant if such supplementary awards or grants are approved. Every such request shall be evaluated by the MGSS Board on a case by case basis.

	Provisional Award stage

14.6	Applicants will be notified of their ranking by the MGSS Board.

14.7	Applicants will be given a draft Agreement which stipulates the terms and conditions of such award. The MGSS Board reserves the right to review the provisional award if new information reveals any change in information or conditions which makes the Applicant ineligible for the award.

14.8	Formal confirmation of an award will be issued when the Applicant provides all necessary documentation and agrees to the terms and conditions of the award stipulated in the Agreement.

14.9	Whoever is awarded a Scholarship should sign the Agreement by a prescribed date failing which the Scholarship could be awarded to others according to their respective ranking.

14.10	Applicants shall be expected to take up the award from the date stated by the MGSS Board in the Agreement offered.

14.11	If for any reason, the Applicant cannot start on the date stated in the Agreement, or requires a different start date, the MGSS Board reserves the right, on notification of such intention, to review the Agreement’s start date or cancel the award should the changes imply postponing the start date by later than 30 April 2011.

14.12	The MGSS Board reserves the right to publish the names of Applicants provisionally selected for awards on the website and/or publications of the Ministry of Education, Employment and the Family and/or the Directorate for Lifelong Learning. In applying for an award, the Applicant gives consent for such publication in the event that her or his application is successful.

	Contracted award stage

14.13	The MGSS Board reserves the right to publish the names of Applicants awarded the Scholarship, and to request and publish the status and progress of the Awardees and their work.

14.14	Awards are to fund the degree stipulated within the Agreement and funding will not be extended to enable Applicants to complete an additional or higher qualification than that for which the selection was made.

14.15	Any intellectual property including patents directly arising from or derived from the research work funded by the Scholarship and carried out by the Applicant should be covered by an Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) agreement that acknowledges that the research work carried out, is partially funded by the Malta Government Scholarship Scheme.

14.16	The Malta Government Scholarship Scheme shall not seek to obtain any rights in intellectual property owned by the University and/or the Awardee.

14.17	On award of a Scholarship, the MGSS Board shall make information obtained available to public authorities for accountability purposes.

	Employment during full-time studies

14.18	Full time Scholarship Awardees shall need to seek approval beforehand from the MGSS Board of any commitment of employment during the duration of their studies. Unapproved employment shall be deemed to be a breach of these Regulations and the Agreement signed between the Scholarship Awardee and the Director for Lifelong Learning and shall lead to the termination of the Scholarship and the obligation on part of the Scholarship Awardee to reimburse all the Amounts awarded until such time.

14.19	Without prejudice to Clause 14.18 above, Scholarship Awardees retaining more than nineteen (19) hours per week of employment contemporarily to their studies/research shall be deemed to be in breach of their obligation towards full-time studies resulting in a cancellation of the Scholarship award and refund of any Amounts granted by then. For the purpose of these Regulations, a Scholarship Employee who is on approved paid or unpaid leave shall not be deemed to have retained the said hours per week of employment contemporarily to the studies/research. For the avoidance of doubt, any Scholarship Employee who notwithstanding the fact that s/he was granted paid or unpaid leave, engages himself/herself in employment or any other work exceeding nineteen (19) hours per week, shall be in breach of this Clause and the provisions of Clause 14.18 shall mutatis mutandis apply. Applicants and Scholarship Awardees are to inform and seek approval of the MGSS Board in advance. Provided that this clause does not apply for those students awarded a Scholarship for a Masters/Doctoral programme on a part time basis or distance learning.

	Progress and completion

14.20	Scholarship Awardees receiving awards for courses with duration of one or more years shall ask their faculty supervisor to submit a short statement confirming progress and attendance of the Scholarship Awardee. Failure to receive this by the MGSS Board could lead to a halt in payments of further instalments of the award.

14.21	Scholarship Awardees shall also be requested to write a report on their progress at the end of every academic year and to submit this report by the end of July of every year. A final report following the completion of the thesis and the award of the qualification will be required by the MGSS Board within one (1) month from the award of the qualification.

14.22	Copies of all publications by Scholarship Awardees, including a publication arising from the thesis, should be sent in electronic format to the MGSS Board, within 30 days of being made public. A hard copy of the thesis should also be sent to the MGSS Board on publication.

14.23	All publications arising from the degree being sponsored by Malta Government Scholarship Scheme should reflect the following acknowledgement on the first pages of the thesis: “The research work disclosed in this publication is funded by the Malta Government Scholarship Scheme”.

14.24	Scholarship Awardees would be expected to write a minimum of one article on their work/studies in the Maltese public media within sixty (60) days of their graduation, during which they publicly acknowledge that the degree was carried out following the award of a Malta Government Scholarship.

14.25	In special and valid circumstances that may arise, Scholarship Awardees may ask the MGSS Board to review the date of completion of their scholarship specifying the reasons for such extension. Each case will be considered on its own merits.

15. Termination prior to completion of programme

15.1	Scholarship Awardees who for any reason discontinue their studies should inform the MGSS Board in writing immediately.

15.2	The MGSS Board shall on thirty (30) days written notice terminate the award if the Scholarship Awardee’s -

	• progress is deemed unsatisfactory by the University; • discontinues the Studies; and/or • is in breach of any provision of these regulations, and does not remedy the breach within thirty (30) days of receipt of written notice requiring him/her to do so.

	Provided that in the case of persons with a disability or persons going through a period of special circumstance, the MGSS Board shall review any such case on its own merits.

15.3	Scholarship Awardees who have their award terminated under conditions stipulated in Clause 15.2 will be required to refund the entire award including additional funds (if applicable), within three (3) months of failing the course or failing to complete the course of studies.

15.4	Scholarship Awardees who cannot pursue further their studies due to unforeseen health situations or exceptional circumstances as approved by the MGSS Board shall not be deemed to be in breach of these regulations.

	In such situations, the Scholarship Awardee must provide justifiable explanation as to why the course was not completed or why the Scholarship Awardee failed to obtain the qualification. Documented evidence, medical certificates and testimonials must accompany each claim. The MGSS Board is in no way bound to waiver all claims put forward. The MGSS Board reserves the right to appoint its own expert, be it medical or otherwise to advise and assess the case of the claimant.

15.5	Scholarship awards shall be to obtain one degree and funding shall not be extended to enable candidates to complete an additional or higher qualification than that for which the selection was made.

16. Further Information

6.1

For further queries, please contact:

The Secretary
Malta Government Scholarships Scheme Board
Ministry of Education, Employment and the Family
Directorate for Lifelong Learning
Great Siege Road,
Floriana VLT2000, Malta.

Tel. No.: (+356) 2598 2250 / 2598 2230
Fax No.: (+356) 2598 2120
E-mail: pgscholarships.meef@gov.mt
Website: www.education.gov.mt/mgss_pg.htm

Downloads

	MGSS 2010 Post-Graduate Courses Regulations

	MALTA GOVERNMENT SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME LETTER OF REFERENCE

	MGSS 2010 Post-Graduate Courses Application Form

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