The Institute for the Public Services offers sponsorships on behalf of the Government of Malta to public officers with a view to helping them to continue their formal education, gain tertiary-level qualifications and develop their careers. Sponsored courses vary from diploma courses up to master’s degree programmes and are offered primarily by the Institute’s partner organisations, namely the University of Malta (UoM) and the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST).
Course subjects vary from year to year. Examples of sponsorships offered to date include the following, the:
- BA (Hons) Public Management offered by the UoM;
- MA in Evidence-Based Management and Effective Decision Making offered by the UoM;
- BA (Hons) Public Projects offered by MCAST; and
- BA Procurement and Finance offered by MCAST.
Subsequently, IPS will be re-issuing a course entitled BA Public Sector Accounting in collaboration with UoM.
These courses have been designed to meet the requirements of the Public Administration, and indeed MCAST’s BA (Hons) Public Projects is offered exclusively to public officers and public sector employees who apply through the Institute for the Public Services.
In order to continue improving the professional development of public officers, in 2022 IPS has extended another agreement with King's College London. This collaboration opened the doors for public officers to benefit from customised modules at MQF level 7.
Sponsorships are normally advertised through OPM circulars between the months of April and July, which circulars contain information on the eligibility and instructions on how to apply for the sponsorships offered.
The number of sponsorships for each course depends on the funds available. If the number of eligible applicants exceeds the number of places available, a selection process is held. Sponsorships may include paid study leave or part-payment of course fees or both, depending on the course. Prior to the commencement of their studies, selected officers would be required to enter into a binding commitment to serve the Government for a specific period as defined by the Sponsorships and Study Leave Manual (Annex 1 & 3) after the completion of their studies.
Scholarships are offered by the Public Service to its staff in the knowledge that staff are any organisation’s most important asset, and in keeping with the concept of lifelong learning and the development of a learning culture.
