| 1. |
Introduction |
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| 1.1 |
The Strategic Educational Pathways
Scholarships (STEPS) scheme aims at providing
more opportunities to promote further specialisation
at higher levels of education particularly at
a Masters and Doctoral level. |
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| 1.2 |
STEPS supports an increase
in the number of students following post-graduate
courses, increasing the availability and employment
of high-level graduates in the priority sectors
of the knowledge-based economy in Malta. |
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| 1.3 |
Over the last decade, Malta
has witnessed significant overall expansion in
the higher education sector. In a knowledge-based
economy, it is imperative to have a strong base
of Masters and Doctorate programmes involving
research on innovative and creative hypothesis
that ultimately lead to intellectual and economic
growth for society. |
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| 1.4 |
High quality postgraduate education
is of central importance to a number of objectives
among others: |
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• increase of research and development
activity in Malta; |
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• development of academic staff in growing
or new fields of study |
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• development of more research activity
in growing or innovative fields of study; |
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• an ever more highly skilled workforce; |
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• precious impact and social benefit
of groundbreaking discoveries. |
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| 1.5 |
Additionally, postgraduate education has been
identified as necessary for a number of structural
reforms, including: |
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• better quality and relevance of the
education system; |
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• matching of skills within higher value
added and expanding economic sectors; |
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• more research in science and technology,
and |
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• more research in information and communication
technology. |
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| 1.6 |
Postgraduate education forms an increasingly
important part of any country’s economic
and social agenda. It supplies a key part of
many people’s continuing professional development. |
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| 1.7 |
The STEPS Scheme which aims to address the
above objectives is part-financed by the European
Union Operational Programme II – Cohesion
Policy 2007-2013 Empowering People for More
Jobs and a Better Quality of Life - European Social
Fund. |
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| 2. |
Aims and Objectives |
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| 2.1 |
The key objectives of the STEPS Scheme
are to: |
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• assist high achieving students to pursue
further levels of academic research; |
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• encourage and promote more student participation
at a postgraduate level of academic research,
both locally or internationally; |
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• improve the quality and relevance of the
education system; |
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• reduce skills mismatches particularly within
higher value added and expanding
economic sectors; |
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• support further research in science and technology;
and |
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• increase the capacity and level of research,
innovation and development activity
in Malta. |
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| 3. |
Explanatory Notes |
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| 3.1 |
Agreement shall mean a legally
binding document to be signed by the Scholarship
Awardee as beneficiary of the Scholarship and
the Project Leader. The Agreement shall include
these Regulations. The Agreement has to be signed
by not later than three months after the commencemnet
of studies or the publication of rankings, whichever
comes last. |
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| 3.2 |
Applicant shall mean a person
that submits a scholarship application. |
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| 3.3 |
Bench Fees shall mean fees
being educational costs related to the execution
of studies or research activity, but are not
covered by the tuition fee, and not related to
general maintenance or living costs of the Scholarship
Awardee. As part of the Agreement, the Project
Leader reserves the right to ask the Scholarship
Awardee to obtain a justification or breakdown
of costs from the University or Higher Education
Institution on the claim/s declared. All Bench
Fees need to be declared before the signing of
the Agreement. Any increase in, or any additional
Bench Fees cannot be claimed by the Scholarship
Awardee or the University after the signing of
the Agreement and will therefore, not be considered
as part of the Amount. Bench fees shall be paid
upon presentation of an original invoice.
Payment will be effected to the University or
Higher
Education Institution issuing the invoice. In
the case of an Applicant who has paid for the
Bench Fee, the Applicant must also produce the
original official receipt or equivalent (i.e.
receipted invoices where applicable) from the
University or Higher Education Institution. |
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| 3.4 |
Doctoral Programme shall
mean a research-related programme of higher education
study that: |
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• follows a higher education degree and
leads to a doctoral degree by higher education
institution, or, |
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• in those Member States of the European
Union (henceforth called EU) where there is accordance
with national legislation and practice, by a
research centre. |
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| 3.5 |
ECTS shall mean European Credit
Transfer and Accumulation System |
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| 3.6 |
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. |
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| 3.7 |
ESF shall mean European Social
Fund. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 3.10 |
ISCED shall mean International
Standard Classification of Education. |
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| 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. |
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| 3.12 |
Maintenance
Grant shall mean
a grant which is awarded as part of the Scholarship
and in accordance with all conditions laid in
these Regulations and in the Agreement. |
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| 3.13 |
Masters Programme shall mean
a second cycle higher education programme that |
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• follows a first degree or equivalent
level of learning, and |
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• leads to a Masters
level qualification offered by a higher education
institution with a minimum of 60 ECTS. |
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| 3.14 |
Priority
Area shall mean as
referred to in Article 6. The Applicant has to
choose the Priority Area in which s/he would
like to apply. It is the prerogative of the STEPS
Board to approve or otherwise the selected Priority
Area. This is normally done during the interview
stage. If for whatever reason the STEPS Board
decides to change the selected Priority Area
at any time other than during the interview,
the Applicant shall be informed in writing by
the Project Leader. |
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| 3.15 |
Project
Leader shall mean
the person who carries the overall financial
and legal responsibility for the implementation
of the project. |
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| 3.16 |
Scholarship shall mean an
award of financial aid for an Applicant to further
education in a Priority Area of studies. 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. |
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| 3.17 |
Scholarship
Awardee shall
mean the Applicant who is granted the Scholarship. |
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| 3.18 |
STEPS stands for and shall
mean for the purposes of these Regulations, and
the Agreement, Strategic Educational Pathways
Scholarships. |
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| 3.19 |
STEPS
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. |
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| 3.20 |
STEPS
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 STEPS Board and the Project Leader
over the interpretation/s of these Regulations. |
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| 3.21 |
Tuition
Fee – Enrolment
and registration fees charged by a University
or Higher Education Institution so that the Applicant
follows a Masters or Doctoral degree programme.
Tuition Fees covered shall be those charged directly
by a University or Higher Education Institution
as approved by the STEPS Board. Tuition Fees
shall be paid upon presentation of an original
invoice. Payment shall be affected to the University
or Higher Education Institution issuing the invoice.
In the case of an Applicant who has paid for
the tuition fee, the Applicant must also produce
the original official receipt or equivalent (i.e.
receipted invoices where applicable) from the
University or Higher Education Institution. |
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| 3.22 |
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);
• The Tuition Fee (if applicable);
• The Bench Fee (if applicable);
• Any other information required by the Project
Leader.
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.
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| 4. |
Eligibility |
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| 4.1 |
In order to apply for STEPS, an applicant
should: |
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4.1.1 |
(a) |
Be a Maltese Citizen who has been
residing in Malta for more than 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 |
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(b) |
Be a Maltese Citizen who is a worker or self-employed
person in Malta, or |
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(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 |
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(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 |
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(e) |
Be a third country national who has been granted
long-term residence status under LN 278 of 2006. |
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4.1.2. |
Be
applying for either Masters degree studies equivalent
to EQF Level 7 or Doctoral degree studies equivalent
to EQF Level 8. |
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4.1.3. |
Not
already be in a course of post-graduate studies
of the same level as that applied for. |
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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). |
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4.1.5 |
Hold
by application deadline the following qualifications
from a recognised Higher Education Institution: |
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Applicants
for Masters degree Scholarships: |
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• an
Honours degree of at least an upper second class
standard, or |
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• a
post graduate qualification (excluding Masters)
with
a first general degree of at least an upper second
class standard |
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Applicants
for Doctorate degree Scholarships: |
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• an
Honours degree of at least an upper second class
standard, or |
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• post
graduate qualification (excluding Masters) with
a first general degree of at least an upper second
class standard, or |
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• a Masters
degree. |
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4.1.6 |
Provisional
applications will also be accepted from students
in their final year of studies
who will receive their qualifications’ results
after the closing date. For those applying in
the November-January call, the last day of submission
of results shall be 15 April at noon. For those
applying in the May-June call, the last day of
submission of results shall be 15
September at noon. |
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4.1.7 |
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
STEPS Board as soon as it becomes available and
in any case by not later than one month from
the closing date of the call for application. |
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4.1.7.1 |
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. |
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4.1.8 |
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 on
pain of ineligibility to confirm whether paid
or unpaid leave of absence for the duration of
the course has already been conceded under those
terms and conditions as established by the Ministry
concerned. Clause 14.6 of these regulations shall
apply to those eligible Applicants with approved
paid leave of absence for the duration of the
course, who subsequently are awarded a Scholarship. |
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4.1.9 |
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 STEPS scheme. In the event that an Applicant
is granted a STEPS Scholarship and the Project
Leader discovers, after the grant of such STEPS
Scholarship, that the Scholarship Awardee had,
at any point in time, whether prior to the
award of the STEPS 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 other grants awarded to the Scholarship
Awardee shall be notified
to and approved by the STEPS Board, whether
such are awarded to the Applicant prior to
the STEPS
Scholarship or throughout the duration of
the Scholarship. For the avoidance of doubt,
any
scholarships or 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 STEPS Board. Applicant
should
also consult Clause 14.7.
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4.1.10 |
Applicants
must be available to commence the academic studies
by the end of December of the
same year as the deadline for call for applications.
Fort the purpose of the 4th Call, this should
mean 31 December 2010. |
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| 5. |
Types
of Scholarships |
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| 5.1 |
Levels
of Programmes eligible include: |
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5.1.1 |
Masters
programmes (EQF Level 7): |
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• STEPS
shall support full-time Masters Courses equivalent
to EQF Level 7. Students will be generally expected
to follow Masters Courses with a minimum of 60
ECTS or a one full-time academic year course.
However programmes of a longer duration up to
a maximum period of two full-time academic years
will also be considered by the STEPS Board. |
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• Joint
degrees or split-site programmes may be considered
as long as documentation is provided indicating
the lead degree awarding institution. |
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• Part-Time
and Distance Learning programmes shall be considered
under this scheme, provided that
the programme of studies does not exceed three
(3) years. |
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5.1.2. |
Doctoral
programmes (EQF Level 8): |
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• STEPS
shall also support full time Doctoral postgraduate
courses equivalent to EQF Level 8. |
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• Joint
degrees or split-site programmes may be considered
as long as documentation is provided
indicating the lead degree awarding institution. |
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• Part-time
and distance learning doctoral programmes shall
not be considered under this scheme. |
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| 5.2 |
Modality
of study programmes eligible: |
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5.2.1 |
Part-time
basis and distance learning: |
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The following
Masters programmes are eligible on a part-time
and/or distance
learning basis. |
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• Non
Science and Technology Masters, |
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• Science
and Technology Masters, |
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• Information
and Communication Technology Masters. |
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Doctoral
programmes are not eligible on a part-time and
distance learning basis. |
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5.2.2. |
Full-time basis: |
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The
following Masters and Doctoral programmes are
eligible on a full-time basis: |
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•
Non Science and Technology Masters, |
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• Science and Technology Masters, |
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•
Information and Communication Technology Masters, |
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•
Non Science and Technology Doctoral programmes, |
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•
Science and Technology Doctoral programmes. |
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| 6. |
Priority Areas of Study |
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| 6.1 |
The
STEPS Scheme offers different bursaries to address
areas of national priority as identified
within the Operational Programme II – ‘Empowering
People for more Jobs and a Better Quality of
Life’ – for the implementation of
Cohesion Policy in Malta for the period 2007-2013
and is co-funded by the European Social Fund
(ESF). |
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| 6.2 |
The
scheme provides Scholarships which address four
focus areas under the first priority axis
of this programme – improving education
and skills. The Scholarships provided address
priority areas of study as follows: |
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6.2.1. |
Scholarships for capacity building in the education
system |
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Masters
programmes (full-time basis, part time basis
and distance learning) and Doctoral programmes
(full time basis only) are offered to invest
in the development of educators and administrators
of educational systems and policies. These include: |
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•
Studies to encourage educators and administrators
to develop new areas of teaching and training; |
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•
Studies to improve the quality of curricula; |
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•
Studies related to inclusive educational services; |
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•
Studies to develop professional capacity in quality
assurance and education
services; |
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•
Studies to ensure responsiveness to the changing
socio-economic needs of Malta. |
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Studies
related to career guidance are ineligible under
this scheme. |
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6.2.2. |
Scholarships addressing skills mismatches |
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Scholarships
for Masters (full time basis, part time basis
and distance learning) and Doctoral programmes
(full time basis only). Scholarships shall be
offered in the following priority areas of study,
including: |
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•
Higher value added and expanding economic sectors
(such as pharmaceuticals, aviation maintenance,
financial services, health care, tourism and
creative industries); |
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•
Agricultural and fisheries sectors; |
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•
Environmental sector. |
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6.2.3. |
Scholarships for more research and innovation
in Science and Technology |
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Scholarships
for Masters (full time basis, part time basis
and distance learning) in science and technology
programmes are offered. In this case, the priority
areas for science and technology programmes shall
be those areas identified under the following
headings within the NSRI 2007-2010, namely: |
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•
Environmental Technologies and Resources |
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•
Quality High Value-added Manufacturing and Services |
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•
Information Communication Technology (by research) |
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•
Health and Bio-technology. |
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Scholarships
for Doctoral programmes (full time basis only)
in science and technology programmes are offered.
These Scholarships are designed to address priority
areas of research and innovation in science and
technology as identified within the NSRI 2007-2010.
Doctoral programmes related to ICT are also included
under this heading. |
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6.2.4. |
Scholarships addressing Information and Communication
Technology |
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Scholarships
for Masters (full time basis, part time basis
and distance learning) in Information and Communication
Technology programmes are offered. Scholarships
shall be offered for courses which address the
ICT focus area of Priority Axis 1, of Operational
Programme II (2007-2013), namely: |
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•
Information Communication Technology. |
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| 7. |
Tenure and Placement |
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| 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 STEPS Board. |
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| 7.2 |
It is the responsibility
of Applicants, applying for 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, 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 STEPS Board as soon as it
becomes available and in any case by not later
than one month from the closing date of the call
for applications. The provisions contained in
Clause 4.1.7.1 of these Regulations shall apply
mutatis mutandis. |
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| 7.3 |
The MQRIC may be contacted
as follows: |
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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 |
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| 8. |
Choice of Institution |
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| 8.1 |
Applicants are
expected to identify up to three institutions
and courses (or supervisors for doctoral degree
Applicants) that they consider most appropriate
on the application form, to indicate their preference,
and to explain the reasons for their selection. |
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| 8.2 |
Applicants should
have at least one unconditional letter of acceptance
in writing from an institution listed on their
Application Form. For those applying in the November-January
call, the last day of submission of unconditional
acceptance letter shall be 15 April. For those
applying in the May-June call, the last day of
submission of unconditional acceptance letter
shall be 15 September at noon. |
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8.2.1 |
The
unconditional letter of acceptance of Applicants
following a Doctoral Degree or a Masters degree
on Part-Time/Distance Learning must also be accompanied
by a statement by the Applicant that s/he intends
completing their programme of studies PhD in
time for the publication of result by the 31st
December of 2013. |
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| 8.3 |
The final decision
with regard to the choice of the institution
of study shall be made by the STEPS Board, which
reserves the right to overrule any preferences
expressed by the Applicant at the application
stage, should any preferred course or institution
not meet the eligibility requirements as validated
by MQRIC. If no restriction is made by the STEPS
Board, the Applicant shall be free to opt for
the first preference of the preferred institutions
listed on the Application Form, subject to meeting
all other conditions under these regulations. |
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| 8.4 |
If an Applicant
disagrees with the STEPS Board, the Applicant
may present a petition to the STEPS Appeals Board
within five (5) working days from the date when
the STEPS Board communicates its decision to
the Applicant in writing. In the petition, the
Applicant has to state clearly the reasons why
s/he is contesting the decision by the STEPS
Board and how the outcome of his/her studies
will be affected if the Applicant attends the
University/Higher Education Institution indicated
by the STEPS Board and not by the University/Higher
Education Institution selected by the Applicant. |
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| 8.5 |
The decision
by the STEPS Appeals Board is final. |
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| 8.6 |
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 STEPS Board.
Applicants should note that a number of university
departments require an Applicant to demonstrate
a valid Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)
or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score before
an offer of admission can be made. The fees for
these tests shall not be covered by STEPS funds.
Applicants should check admission requirements
carefully at the time of application. |
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| 9. |
Administration of the STEPS |
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|
| 9.1 |
The
STEPS scheme is administered by the Directorate
for Lifelong
Learning within the Ministry of Education, Employment
and the Family. The STEPS Board is responsible
for the selection process and not for the administration
of the scheme. |
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| 9.2 |
All correspondence is to be
addressed to: |
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Project Leader (STEPS)
Ministry of Education, Employment and the Family
Directorate for Lifelong Learning
Room 327, Directorates for Education
Floriana FRN 1810,
Malta
Tel. No.: (+356) 2598 2513/2263
Fax: (+356) 2598 2123
E-mail: steps.medc@gov.mt
Website: www.education.gov.mt/steps.htm |
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| 10. |
Application Forms |
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| 10.1 |
Applicants are
to apply by completing in full the appropriate
Application Form for 4th Call which is available
from the Customer Care Office, Directorates for
Education, Floriana or downloaded from the website
www.education.gov.mt/steps.htm. All relevant
Application and Letter of Reference forms required
may be downloaded from the website of the Ministry
of Education, www.education.gov.mt/steps.htm. |
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| 10.2 |
Applicants shall
submit their written/typed Application Form to
the STEPS Board together with the following: |
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i) |
four (4) copies
of the Applicant’s University/College transcripts
(detailed); |
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ii) |
four (4) copies
of the unconditional letter of acceptance from
the University applied for; |
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iii) |
four (4) copies
of the Applicant’s identity card; |
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iv) |
four (4) copies
of MQRIC evaluation report (where applicable); |
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v) |
one (1) original
and three (3) copies of each of Appendix I, Appendix
II and Appendix III of the Application Form |
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vi) |
four (4) copies
of the Applicant’s disability identity
card issued by the Kummissjoni Nazzjonali Persuni
b’Dizabbilta’ (KNPD) for persons
claiming that they do not have any possibility
of following a full or part-time Masters owing
to their to disability under Section 12.1. |
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vii) |
A statement by
PhD Applicants that s/he intends completing the
PhD in time for the publication of result by
the 31st December of 2013 (See Clause 8.2.1). |
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| 10.3 |
The STEPS Board
shall give considerable weight to the content
of Appendices I, II and III of the Application
Form.
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| 10.4 |
A Standard Letter of
Reference form is available for academic referees.
These forms are available online or from the
Customer Care Office. These 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: |
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Project Leader (STEPS)
Ministry of Education, Employment and the Family
Directorate for Lifelong Learning
Rm. 327, Directorates of Education, Great Siege
Road
Floriana FRN 1810, Malta
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Applicants are to ensure
that referees do send these forms on time. |
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| 10.5 |
Applications for Scholarships
by students are required to arrive at the: |
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Customer Care Services
Directorates for Education
Great Siege Road
Floriana FRN 1810,
Malta |
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| 10.6 |
The application deadline
is: |
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• 15th June
of every calendar year at noon (CET) for all
applications under the call issued on the 1st
of May of the same calendar year; |
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• 15th January
of every calendar year at noon (CET) for all
applications under the call issued on the 1st
of November of the same calendar year. |
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| 10.7 |
Should the deadlines
fall on a Saturday or Sunday, noon of the following
Monday shall be the applicable deadline. |
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| 10.8 |
Late and incomplete
applications shall not be considered by the STEPS
Board. |
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| 10.9 |
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. |
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The Applicant may opt
not to resubmit the following documents in the
eventuality that such he/she is submitting an
application for a second time, or more, under
this scheme and with the same Degree courses
as the previous application/s: |
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i) |
Copies of Applicant’s
University/College transcripts (detailed); |
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ii) |
Copies of Applicant’s
Identity Card; |
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iii) |
Copies of MQRIC
evaluation report (where applicable); |
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provided that there
are no changes in the above documents. |
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Copies of renewed unconditional
letter of acceptance by the University would
need to be submitted again. |
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| 11. |
Selection Process |
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| 11.1 |
The Ministry
of Education, Employment and the Family has set
up the STEPS Board to operate the process of
selection. This Board shall be responsible for
all matters concerning selection and determination
of appropriate awards according to the regulations. |
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| 11.2 |
The Ministry
of Education, Employment and the Family has also
set up the STEPS Appeals Board to deal with objections
raised by Applicants after they are informed
in writing with the decisions of the STEPS Board. |
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| 11.3 |
The role of the
STEPS Board is to evaluate and select Applicants
according to pre-established criteria identified
in Article 12. Each application is considered
as follows: |
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(a) Where necessary
the STEPS Board shall appoint an expert with
expertise in the subject area concerned to evaluate
the application; |
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(b) The STEPS Board
itself shall consider the application and any
advice submitted by appointed experts. |
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| 11.4 |
The Appeals Board
shall only address appeals from the selection
board 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 STEPS Board,
nor change the ranking of an Applicant as a result
of such score. |
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11.4.1 |
If
an Applicant disagrees with the STEPS Board or
any other procedure under these Regulations,
the Applicant or Scholarship Awardee may present
a petition to the STEPS Appeals Board within
five (5) working days from the date when the
STEPS Board or the Project Leader communicates
decision/s to the Applicant in writing. |
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| 12 |
Selection Criteria |
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| 12.1 |
Applications are considered
on the basis of the following selection criteria: |
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a) Academic merit of the
Applicant; |
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b) The quality of the proposal; |
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c) The relevance to identified
priority areas of study; |
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d) The likely impact of the work
on the development of Malta; |
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e) The modality of study of Masters
programmes (preference shall be given to programmes
in the following order ceteris paribus): |
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o First preference – Full time programmes;
o Second preference – Part time programmes;
o Third preference – Distance learning programmes. |
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Provided that, students who are
persons with disabilities and do not have any
possibility of following a full or part-time
Masters programme unless through distance learning,
shall be given first preference in the same way
as those who apply to follow full-time programmes. |
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For those who are shortlisted,
the STEPS Board shall 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. |
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| 12.2 |
An Applicant is considered to
have passed the interview if the Applicant obtains
a pass mark (that is 50% of the total allotted
marks) in the criteria (b), (c) and (d) above. |
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| 12.3 |
The STEPS Board shall issue separate
ranks according to the Priority Area of Studies
(as identified in Article 6), and shall rank
Applicants by separate degree levels (Masters
and Doctoral level degrees) for the purpose of
allocating available scholarships. Available
funds for each degree level under all Priority
Areas of Studies shall be uploaded on the website
(www.education.gov.mt/steps.htm) for every call
for application. The STEPS Board reserves the
right to reassign funds between different levels
of degree (Masters and Doctoral) if the number
of Applicants for a specific degree level is
below the maximum funds allocated. Funds cannot
be reassigned from one Prioirty Area of Study
to another. |
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| 13 |
Value of Awards |
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| 13.1 |
Distance learning courses: |
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For Masters courses provided by
a recognised University through distance learning,
the Scholarship grant shall cover tuition fees
only up to a total of Euro 7,000 for the entire
duration of the course. The grant shall be split
in annual instalments covering invoices for tuition
fees over the total number of years up to a maximum
of three (3) years. |
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For Scholarship Awardees who pay
part of the tuition fees to a university directly
themselves, the fees paid by the student shall
be reimbursed on receipt of both the University
original invoice and the original official receipt
of payment or equivalent (i.e. receipted invoice
where applicable) issued by the receiving University. |
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Part-time Masters courses: |
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For Masters courses provided by
a recognised University on a part-time basis,
the Scholarship grant shall cover tuition fees
only up to a total of Euro 7,000 for the entire
duration of the course. The grant shall be split
in annual instalments covering invoices for tuition
fees over the total number of years up to a maximum
of three (3) calendar years. |
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Scholarship Awardees who pay part
of the tuition fees to a university directly
themselves, the fees paid by the student shall
be reimbursed on receipt of both the University
original invoice and the original official receipt
of payment or equivalent (i.e. receipted invoice
where applicable) issued by the receiving University. |
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Students shall be expected to follow
programmes of study that end before or on 31
December 2013 . |
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| 13.2 |
Full-time Masters courses (non
Science and Technology): |
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For Masters courses provided by
a recognised University, the Scholarship grant
shall cover tuition fees, bench fees and maintenance
costs up to Euro 6,000 per annum. |
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Tuition fees and bench fees shall
be paid on receipt of original invoice, and the
balance shall be awarded as a maintenance grant. |
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For tuition fees lower than Euro
3,500 per annum, a maintenance grant of Euro
2,500 per annum shall be paid. |
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Maintenance grants shall be paid
on a pro-rata basis for the duration of the course,
at the beginning of every academic year. |
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Scholarship Awardees who pay part
of the tuition fees and/or bench fees to a university
directly themselves, the fees paid by the student
shall be reimbursed on receipt of both the University
original invoice and the original official receipt
of payment or equivalent (i.e. receipted invoice
where applicable) issued by the receiving University. |
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| 13.3 |
Full-time Masters courses
(Information and Communication Technology): |
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For Masters courses in Information
and Communications Technology (ICT) provided
by a recognised University, the Scholarship grant
shall cover tuition fees, bench fees and maintenance
costs up to Euro 13,000 per annum. |
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Tuition fees and bench fees shall
be paid on receipt of original invoice, and the
balance shall be awarded as a maintenance grant. |
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For tuition fees and bench fees
lower than Euro 10,500 per annum, a maintenance
grant of Euro 2,500 per annum shall be paid. |
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Maintenance grants shall be paid
on a pro-rata basis for the duration of the course,
at the beginning of every academic year. |
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Scholarship Awardees who pay part
of the tuition fees and/or bench fees to a university
directly themselves, the fees or bench fees paid
by the student shall be reimbursed on receipt
of both the University original invoice and the
original official receipt of payment or equivalent
(i.e. receipted invoice where applicable) issued
by the receiving University. |
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| 13.4 |
Full-time Masters courses
(Science and Technology): |
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For Masters programmes in science
and technology provided by a recognised University,
the Scholarship grant shall cover tuition fees,
bench fees and maintenance costs up to Euro 13,000
per annum. |
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Tuition fees and bench fees shall
be paid on receipt of original invoice, and the
balance shall be awarded as a maintenance grant. |
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For tuition fees and bench fees
lower than Euro 10,500 per annum, a maintenance
grant of Euro 2,500 per annum shall be paid. |
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Maintenance grants shall be paid
on a pro-rata basis for the duration of the course,
at the beginning of every academic year. |
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Scholarship Awardees who pay part
of the tuition fees and/or bench fees to a university
directly themselves, the fees or bench fees paid
by the student shall be reimbursed on receipt
of both the University original invoice and the
original official receipt of payment or equivalent
(i.e. receipted invoice where applicable) issued
by the receiving University. |
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| 13.5 |
Full-time Doctoral Programmes
(non Science and Technology): |
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For non science and technology
Doctoral programmes provided by a recognised
University, the Scholarship grant shall cover
tuition fees, bench fees and maintenance costs
for the duration of the course up to Euro 8,500
per annum. |
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Tuition fees and bench fees shall
be paid on receipt of original invoice, and the
balance shall be awarded as a maintenance grant. |
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For tuition fees and bench fees
lower than Euro 3,500 per annum, a maintenance
grant of Euro 5,000 per annum shall be paid. |
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Maintenance grants shall be paid
on a pro-rata basis for the duration of the course,
at the beginning of every academic year provided
that all documentation requested by the STEPS
Board with regards to previous year/s is provided. |
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Scholarship Awardees who pay part
of the tuition fees and/or bench fees to a university
directly themselves, the fees or bench fees paid
by the student shall be reimbursed on receipt
of both the University original invoice and the
original official receipt of payment or equivalent
(i.e. receipted invoice where applicable) issued
by the receiving University. |
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Students shall be expected to follow
programmes of study that end before or on 31
December 2013 |
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| 13.6 |
Full-time Doctoral Programmes
(Science and Technology): |
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For Doctoral courses in science
and technology provided by a recognised University,
the Scholarship grant shall cover tuition fees,
bench fees and maintenance costs for the duration
of the course up to a maximum of Euro 22,000
per annum in total. |
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Tuition fees and bench fees shall
be paid on receipt of original invoice, and the
balance shall be awarded as a maintenance grant. |
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For tuition fees and bench fees
lower than Euro 17,000 per annum, a maintenance
grant of Euro 5,000 per annum shall be paid. |
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Maintenance grants shall be paid
on a pro-rata basis for the duration of the course,
at the beginning of every academic year provided
that all documentation requested by the STEPS
Board with regards to previous year/s is provided. |
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Scholarship Awardees who pay part
of the tuition fees and/or bench fees to a University
directly themselves, the fees or bench fees paid
by the student shall be reimbursed on official
receipt of both the University original invoice
and the original official receipt of payment
or equivalent (i.e. receipted invoice where applicable)
issued by the receiving University. |
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Students shall be expected to follow
programmes of study that end before or on 31
December 2013. |
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| 13.7 |
Additional allowances for
all programmes: |
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13.7.1 |
Scholarship
Awardees studying abroad: |
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For
Scholarship Awardees selected by the STEPS Board
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 programme of studies. |
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13.7.2 |
Dependants: |
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For
Scholarship Awardees selected by the STEPS Board
other additional allowances are payable as prescribed
below. These additional allowances are not paid
when a husband or wife of the Applicant is also
in receipt of an award from this or any other
scheme of the Malta Government: |
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•
For Scholarship Awardees with children (including
an Applicant who is widowed, separated or a
single parent), a child allowance is payable
at the rate of Euro 1,170 per year for the
first child, and Euro 700 per year for any
additional child under the age of 15, provided
they are residing with their parent/s. This
grant is applicable for Applicants following
a Masters or Doctoral degree on a full-time
basis. |
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•
For married Applicants awarded Doctorate
programmes abroad exceeding one (1) academic
year, a marriage allowance of Euro 2,330 per
year is payable provided that the husband and
wife are residing together at the same address
in Malta prior to leaving and the Scholarship
Awardee is accompanied by the spouse abroad.
Furthermore, proof is to be provided that the
spouse has accompanied the Scholarship Awardee
throughout the academic year of studies according
to the Regulations of the University concerned.
In the eventuality that the spouse is accompanying
Scholarship Awardee on brief periods, the payment
of the said marriage allowance is paid on a
pro rata basis according to the number of days
spent abroad by the spouse during the period
throughout which the Scholarship Awardee is
studying abroad. |
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13.7.3 |
Gozo residents: |
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Applicants
who reside in Gozo, following a Masters or a
Doctoral course in Malta, and awarded a Scholarship,
shall be entitled to additional maintenance supplement
of Euro 1,050 per annum for the duration of the
course. Such students would need to give evidence
that they have attended school in Gozo for at
least three (3) scholastic years as verified
by the Ministry of Gozo. |
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| 14 |
General Conditions of Award |
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| 14.1 |
The general conditions in
this section apply to all Applicants under the
scheme and Scholarship Awardees. |
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Application stage |
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| 14.2 |
Applicants shall clearly
indicate the qualification of which they are
applying at the point of application, especially
if they wish to be considered for a Scholarship
intended to lead to a doctoral degree (eg. M.Phil
as a first year in a three (3) year Doctoral
programme). This will enable the STEPS Board
to consider the application in the correct category. |
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14.2.1 |
If
an Applicant has already started an M.Phil. or
equivalent programme, the Applicant is eligible
for a scholarship only if s/he can produce a
certificate for the successful completion of
the M.Phil. issued by the University and a separate
acceptance letter that the Ph.D. programme will
start in a future date provided that the programme
shall be completed by the 31st December 2013.
If M.Phil. is the first year (or similar term)
of a full Ph.D. programme, then the Applicant
could be declared ineligible on the grounds of
Clause 4.1.3. |
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| 14.3 |
Maltese Scholarship Awardees
shall be expected to seek prior visa approval
(where applicable) for any proposed studies abroad. |
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| 14.4 |
Full time Scholarship Awardees
shall need to seek approval beforehand from the
STEPS 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 Project Leader 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. |
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| 14.5 |
Without prejudice to Clause
14.4 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 14.4 shall mutatis mutandis
apply. Applicants and Scholarship Awardees are
to inform and seek approval of the STEPS Board
in advance. Provided that this clause does not
apply for those students awarded a Scholarship
for a Masters programme on a part time basis
or distance learning. |
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| 14.6 |
In the case of Scholarship
Awardees who are employed on full-time employment
contracts and receiving paid leave of absence,
the grant shall be restricted to cover only tuition
fees and bench fees. In such cases, no maintenance
grants shall be allocated. |
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| 14.7 |
Supplementary Scholarship
awards or supplementary grants to STEPS for the
same course of programme of studies must be declared
at the point of interview or before formally
accepting the other awards. All declarations
require approval from the STEPS Board. Any unapproved
supplementary Scholarship awards or supplementary
grants additional to STEPS for the same course
or programme shall be deemed to be in breach
of the contract. As a result, cancellation of
award and refund of all awards granted by then
shall be required by the STEPS Board. |
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Provisional Award stage |
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| 14.8 |
Applicants will be notified
of their ranking by the STEPS Board. |
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| 14.9 |
Applicants shall be requested
to submit confirmation of acceptance of the provisional
award, to confirm details submitted in the application
regarding University and programme to be attended
and start dates, to forward any MQRIC validation
requested in the case that this was not presented
at application stage, and to forward further
documentation as requested by the board to proceed
with the grant. |
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Following receipt of all additional
information requested, Applicants shall be given
a draft contract which stipulates the terms and
conditions of such award. The STEPS Board reserves
the right to review and cancel the provisional
award if new information reveals any change in
information or conditions which makes the Applicant
ineligible for the scholarship award. |
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| 14.10 |
Formal confirmation of
a Scholarship award shall be issued when the
Applicant provides all necessary documentation
and signs the Agreement. |
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| 14.11 |
The Scholarship Awardee
should sign the Agreement by the prescribed date.
Failure to present signed Agreement by the prescribed
date may lead to the award being awarded to others
according to their respective ranking. |
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| 14.12 |
Applicants shall be expected
to take up the Scholarship award from the date
stated by the STEPS Board in the Agreement. If
for any reason, the Applicant cannot start on
the date stated in the Agreement, or requires
a different start date, the STEPS Board reserves
the right, on notification of such intention,
to review the start date or else to cancel the
Scholarship should the changes imply postponing
the start date in breach of Clause 4.1.10. |
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| 14.13 |
The STEPS Board reserves
the right to publish the names of Applicants
provisionally selected for Scholarships on the
website of the Ministry of Education, Employment
and the Family. In applying for an award, the
Applicant gives consent for such publication
in the event that her or his/her application
is successful. |
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Contracted
award stage |
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| 14.14 |
The STEPS Board reserves
the right to publish the names of Scholarship
Awardees, and to request and publish the status
and progress of the Applicants and their work. |
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| 14.15 |
Scholarships cannot be
extended to enable the Applicant to complete
an additional or higher qualification other than
that for which the selection was made. |
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| 14.16 |
The STEPS Scheme is co-funded
under the ESF Operating Programme II of 2007-2013.
All funds available shall expire in 2013. All
scholarship grants shall terminate in 2013. Scholarship
Awardees cannot claim any funds beyond 2013. |
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| 14.17 |
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 European Social
Fund under STEPS. |
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| 14.18 |
The STEPS Scheme shall
not seek to obtain any rights in intellectual
property owned by the University and/or the Scholarship
Awardee. |
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| 14.19 |
On award of a Scholarship,
the Project Leader of the STEPS scheme shall
make information obtained available to public
authorities for accountability purposes. |
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| 14.20 |
Scholarships Awardees
who are found to have given false information
or who have in any manner withheld information
that would have influenced the awarding of the
Scholarship and/or any grants in accordance with
these Regulations, shall be immediately disqualified
and asked to reimburse any expenses and money
granted to the Awardee. The Board may proceed
with a criminal liability suit against such Awardees. |
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Progress and completion |
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| 14.21 |
Every six (6) months,
Scholarship Awardees shall ask their faculty
supervisor to submit to the Project Leader a
short statement confirming progress and attendance
of the Scholarship Awardee. Failure to receive
this by the STEPS Board could lead to a halt
in payments of further instalments of the Scholarship. |
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| 14.22 |
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
shall be required by the STEPS Board within one
(1) month from the award of the qualification. |
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| 14.23 |
Copies of all publications
by Scholarship Awardees, including a publication
arising from the thesis, should be sent in electronic
format to the STEPS Board, within 30 days of
being made public. A hard copy of the thesis
should also be sent to the STEPS Board on publication. |
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| 14.24 |
All publications arising
from the degree being sponsored by STEPS should
reflect the following acknowledgement on the
first pages of the thesis: “The research
work disclosed in this publication is partially
funded by the Strategic Educational Pathways
Scholarship Scheme (Malta). The scholarship is
part-financed by the European Union – European
Social Fund”. |
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| 14.25 |
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 STEPS
Scholarship and that the scholarship is part-financed
by the European Union – European Social
Fund. |
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| 15 |
Termination prior to completion
of programme |
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| 15.1 |
Scholarship Awardees who
for any reason discontinue their studies shall
inform the STEPS Board in writing immediately. |
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| 15.2 |
The STEPS Board shall on
30 days written notice terminate the award if
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• the Applicant’s
progress is deemed unsatisfactory by the University
or the Higher Education Institution; |
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• the Applicant discontinues
the Studies; and/or |
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• an Applicant 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. |
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| 15.3 |
Scholarship Awardees who
have their Scholarship award terminated under
conditions stipulated in Clause 15.2 shall be
required to refund the entire Amount including
tuition fees, bench fees, maintenance grants
and allowances forwarded to both the Applicant
and the University or Higher Education Institution
within three (3) months of failing the course
or failing to complete the course of studies
as the case may be. |
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| 15.4 |
Scholarship Awardees who
cannot pursue further studies due to unforeseen
health situations or exceptional circumstances
as approved by the STEPS Board shall not be deemed
to be in breach of these regulations and shall
be required to refund grants on a pro-rata basis
as approved by and at the discretion of the STEPS
Board, upon evaluation of the situation or exceptional
circumstance. |
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| 15.5 |
In such situations, the Scholarship
Awardee shall 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
STEPS Board shall in no way be bound to waiver
all claims put forward. The STEPS Board reserves
the right to appoint its own expert, be it medical
or otherwise, to advise and assess the case of
the claimant. |
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| 16 |
ESF Publicity Obligations |
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| 16.1 |
STEPS is part-financed by
the European Union, Operational Programme II – Cohesion
Policy 2007-2013 Empowering People for More Jobs
and a Better Quality Life – European Social
Fund. Since the thesis will be financed through
Operational Programme II, the ESF logo, the EU
Flag, the National Flag of Malta and the co-financing
text are to feature of the first page of the
thesis, as per layout stated under Section 4.1
of the Visual Identity Guidelines (downloadable
from www.ppcd.gov.mt/publicity). Moreover, as
per section 14.24, all publication arising from
the degree being sponsored by STEPS should reflect
the following acknowledgement on the first pages
of the thesis: “The research work disclosed
in this publication is partially funded by the
Strategic Educational Pathways Scholarship (Malta).
The scholarship is part-financed by the European
Union – European Social Fund.” |
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| 17. |
Information |
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Project Leader
(STEPS)
Ministry of Education, Employment and the Family
Directorate for Lifelong Learning
Room 327, Directorates for Education
Great Siege Road,
Floriana, FRN 1810
Telephone: +356 2598 2513 / 2263
Fax: +356 2598 2123
Email: steps.medc@gov.mt
Website: www.education.gov.mt/steps.htm
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For further information,
STEPS is also available on Facebook |
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