Malta Government Scholarships Postgraduate Scheme, Malta 2012

1. Introduction 

1.1 Malta is witnessing a 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 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;  

• A 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 2012 (MGSS-PG 2012) 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 and Employment 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 MGSS scheme is proactive and therefore it continues to respond to such exigencies. 

2 Aims and Objectives 

2.1 The key objectives of the MGSS-PG 2012 are to: 

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

• encourage and promote further 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.  TheAgreement has to be signed by not later than three months after the commencement of studies or the publication of rankings, whichever comes last. The amounts shown in the Agreement shall be honoured only if the proper documentation (invoices and receipts) are submitted and verified for eligibility.  Should there result to be any type of discrepancy between the Agreement and these Regulations, than it is these Regulations which should prevail in all cases.

3.2  Appeals Board  shall mean a Board appointed by the Minister of Education, entrusted with dealing with and delivering final decisions in respect of petitions  by Applicants and Scholarship Awardees when contesting decisions taken by the MGSS Board and the Director of Lifelong Learning as administrator of MGSS scholarships over the interpretation/s of these Regulations.  Any decision taken by the Appeals Board is to be regarded as final and irrevocable for all intents and purposes of law.

3.3  Applicant shall mean a person that submits a scholarship application. 

3.4  Bench Fees shall mean fees being educational costs related to the execution of studies or research activity, but which are not covered by the tuition fee, and are not related (but not limited) to general maintenance, travel, conference attendance (including registration fee), buying of books, registration to access libraries, use/buying of computer/electronic equipment, energy charges, sports’ membership or living costs/personal salaries of the Scholarship Awardee.  As part of the Agreement, the Director of Lifelong Learning 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 in writing upon signature of a University high ranking officer, before the signing of the Agreement.  Any increase in, or any additional Bench Fees cannot be claimed by the Scholarship Awardee or the University if not included in the ULA submitted by the closing date.  

Bench fees shall be paid (if applicable) upon presentation of an original invoice. 

3.5  Directorate for Lifelong Learning is the entity within the Ministry of Education and  Employment which administers the MGSS-PG 2012. Malta Government Scholarship Scheme – Post Graduate – 2012   4/15

3.6  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. 

• Leads to an MQF Level 8 on the academic level. 

3.7  ECTS shall mean European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System 

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 MQF Level 7 or Doctoral Degree studies equivalent to MQF Level 8. 

3.9  Higher Education Institution shall mean an establishment (including a University) 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. When an applicant applies for a Joint Degree, a leading University has to be identified.  The MGSS Board shall only recognise the leading University. 

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 and 

• Leads to an MQF Level 7 on an academic level. 

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 2012 shall mean the Mata Government Scholarship Post-Graduate Scheme.  The Scheme launched in 2012 is governed by these Regulations. Under this scheme, eligible Applicants are those who are applying or following a course leading to Masters (MQF Level 7) and Doctoral Degrees (MQF level 8).  

3.15  MQF (Malta Qualification 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.

3.16  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 written documentary proof that s/he has completed successfully the programme of studies for which the Applicant has applied for and this proof is to be forwarded to the MGSS Board by not later than two (2) months from the conclusion of the course for which the scholarship would have been granted and availed of.  The proof may be subject to independent verification from the part of the MGSS Board before that last payment shall be effected.

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

3.18  Study Abroad Allowance shall mean an additional allowance awarded to a Scholarship Awardee who would be abroad (that is outside the Maltese territory) studying on campus at a Higher Education Institution throughout the whole course.  When a scholarship Awardee spends part of his/her studies in Malta, the Study Abroad Allowance is paid on a pro rata basis.  This allowance is paid at the end of the academic year.

3.19  Tuition Fee – Enrolment, administration, registration, and/or examination fees charged by a University of 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 MGSS Board.  Tuition Fees shall be considered only upon presentation of an  original invoice.   If the invoice is issued by a University’s representative in Malta, the invoice shall clearly state separately the tuition fee and commission (if any) for the purpose of reimbursement in terms of claiming for additional funds as specified in Article 13.  The MGSS Board shall pay for such tuition fees ONLY. Malta Government Scholarship Scheme – Post Graduate – 2012   5/15

3.20  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 Tuition Fees and/or Bench fees incurred to follow the programme of studies (in the case of High Priority Areas of Study); 

• Modality of study (that is whether it is distance learning or part-time or full-time studies) 

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

ALL APPLICANTS (including those who have commenced their studies  on the date of Application) shall be obliged to submit the Unconditional Letter of Acceptance by the closing date. 

It is the duty of the Applicant to ensure that when s/he chooses a University or Higher Education Institution, it 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.   When signing the Agreement, the accepted ULA is the one issued by the awarding University.  No additional costs shall be entered in the Agreement other than those stated in the ULA submitted by 17 September 2012. 

4 Eligibility 

4.1 In order to apply for the MGSS, an Applicant shall, by the closing date of Applications, that is 15 June, 2012: 

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, selfemployed 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 throughout 2012 for either Masters Degree studies equivalent to MQF Level 7 (where the programme of studies exceeds twenty four [24] months duration) or Doctoral Degree studies equivalent to  MQF Level 8

14.1.3. Scholars who started their Doctoral programme of studies before 1st January 2012, may apply as well provided that during 2012, the applicant still has at least two full academic years to complete such Doctoral programme.  In such case, the Applicant is eligible for funding of the remaining full academic years.  The Applicant is still obliged to submit an Unconditional Letter of Acceptance by 17 September, 2012, whereby University must declare as well the number of full academic years remaining to complete the programme of studies and a progress report on the research so far.  The amount of funding which is eligible is worked out  pro rata in accordance with Article 13, based on if  the scholarship was awarded to cover the whole programme of studies.  For the duration of the Doctoral programme, please consult Article 5. 

4.1.4. Applicant must 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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