Malta has once again made its mark on the international stage – this time in the field of robotics and engineering.
The Institute of Information and Communication Technology (IICT) at MCAST achieved significant success during the 2025 FIRST Global Robotics Competition held in Panama, where teams from 181 countries competed.
The Maltese team, composed of MCAST students, advanced to the playoffs after ranking 19th in the initial rounds. They later formed a strategic alliance with representatives from Serbia, Lithuania, and Kenya, securing second place in the semifinal stages.
Competing against some of the brightest and most innovative young engineers worldwide, the team’s performance demonstrated not just technical skill, but also strong collaboration and adaptability under pressure.
The students were mentored throughout the competition by the Institute’s Director, Conrad Vassallo, and Deputy Director, Thomas Gatt. Their leadership and expertise were key in preparing the team to compete at a global level, reinforcing MCAST’s growing reputation in fields such as robotics, data analytics, and software development.
MCAST expressed gratitude to the organisations that supported Team Malta, including the eSkills Malta Foundation, MITA, the Malta Digital Innovation Authority, Teamsport Malta, and the HSBC Malta Foundation.
As global interest in robotics and automation grows, MCAST’s investment in equipping students with emerging tech skills continues to offer educational pathways that align closely with industry demand – making the institution a noteworthy player in Malta’s efforts to strengthen its innovation ecosystem.
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Written By
Nicole Zammit
When she’s not writing articles at work or poetry at home, you’ll find her taking long walks in the countryside, pumping iron at the gym, caring for her farm animals, or spending quality time with family and friends. In short, she’s always on the go, drawing inspiration from the little things around her, and constantly striving to make the ordinary extraordinary.
