Page 19 - ELG2505 May Issue 494

FEATURE
TIMELINE OF
FELTOM BOARDS

05/12/1989
2007
Establishment 1992-2003 FELTOM creates the 2012-2017 2015 06/2024-present
of the Genevieve ELTC Notice 221 Jessica Rees-Jones
Federation at Francis Stivala re- Accreditation Council Abela FELTOM recognized as only appointed CEO
220 St Paul appointed Chair of appointed
Street, Valletta FELTOM Board 1998 CEO ELT association in Malta
Government 2007-2011 2021-2024
notice 385 of 15 Prof. Mark G Borg 2017-2021 Caroline Tissot
May 1998 appointed Chair of 2012-04/2013 James Perry appointed CEO
1991
Monitoring
Renato Board receives Accreditation Ing. Nicholas Baldacchino appointed CEO
Valente ministerial power Council appointed Chair of
appointed Accreditation Council 2016-2017 2023-2024
Chair of Desiree Bugeja
FELTOM Board 2008-2009 2013-2015 Sean le Gault Scicluna
2004 Andrew appointed Chair of appointed Chair
Malta joins Mangion Julian Cassar FELTOM Board of Accreditation
the EU appointed Torregiani Council
1989- appointed Chair of
Chair of
01/1991 1996 FELTOM Board FELTOM Board
Francis Legal notice 60 of 2018-present 2024-present
Stivala 1996 2004-2007 Dr Therese
appointed Establishment of John Dimech Rebecca Bonnici Camilleri
Chair of Monitoring Board 2010-2012 2013-2022 appointed Chair of appointed Chair
FELTOM appointed Chair Alex Fenech Jason Aquilina FELTOM Board of Accreditation
of FELTOM
Board appointed Chair of appointed Chair of Council
Board FELTOM Board Accreditation
Council
1989 1991 1992 1996 1998 2004 2007 2008 2010 2012 2013 2015 2016 2017 2018 2021 2023 2024
The Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) was formally established in 1999 by the Malta Travel & Tourism Service Act
comparative and benchmarked with British us the opportunity for several conversations
Council and equals,” she asserts. “FELTOM that were catalyst to some of the MOUs.”
gives parents that guarantee and peace Stressing the practical significance of these
of mind. It’s a quality stamp. For students agreements, Rees-Jones adds, “MOUs only history, study pathways, student support
and for agents, it gives them confidence have value in an agreed connection and strategy, and marketing strategies to help
in coming to Malta.” The FELTOM mark, collaboration, but only if you can really deliver promote the country’s unique value as a
therefore, is not merely a label, but a metrics. And we’ve been able to do that on study destination. Education counsellors
verifiable assurance of quality and reliability, all the MOUs that we’ve signed.” For Rees- who want to set themselves apart as
setting its member schools apart in a Jones, MOUs are not mere formalities. “Why Malta-certified study specialists can opt to
competitive global market. do we sign them? Because it gives strength to invest in the associated course exam. Upon
Fostering cooperation and sharing best the conversation. It gives a little bit of glue to passing the exam, successful graduates will
practices among its 14 member schools what you’re doing and saying. It forms a natural receive a certificate, and digital badge,
is central to FELTOM’s modus operandi. conversation. And it’s a mindfulness that if we and be listed on the ICEF Academy public
Rees-Jones outlines a multifaceted approach: are starting a conversation on a particular topic, MATC graduate directory. Rees-Jones
“We have several workshops, we offer those are our allies on it, and it doesn’t exclude adds, “If you don’t achieve the pass, you can
CPD training with the ELT Council, and anybody.” always go back and redo it, so there’s no
separately, for accreditation officers for our These MOUs, combined with FELTOM’s issue there, and you can do it in your own
schools; we have a number of webinars physical relocation, are generating tangible time as it is online.”
and forums about shared best practice, benefits, says Rees-Jones. The number MOUs
what’s happening in visa regulations, that we’ve signed and the move to Valetta are A message to the world
sometimes only for our member schools a springboard into some of the deliverables When asked what message she would
and sometimes for the industry and the for 2025. One significant outcome is the like to share with prospective students
sector. We believe very strongly in a lot of integration of the Global School Standards and agents, Rees-Jones’s response is clear
open communication and collaboration, (GSS) for sustainability. This brings a global and compelling: “Studying in Malta can
of course, amongst our members, but not metric on sustainability to Malta, not only for change your life. A FELTOM mark means
in isolation.” our FELTOM schools, but for any schools. quality, and so you can rest assured that
Beyond information sharing, FELTOM One of our FELTOM schools [Alpha School] your experience is of the highest standard.”
also organises collaborative student events is the first school on the island to have She uses a powerful analogy to convey the
for the summer teens programmes. “The achieved GSS, and hopefully more schools significance of FELTOM accreditation:
premises are inspected, everybody’s physically will follow. “The best analogy is like a restaurant where
checked when they come onto the premises. Crucially, the ICEF-partnered Malta Agent our mark is a Michelin star that sets our
Each of our venues offer a completely safe Training Certificate offers a different, yet schools apart from others.” This resonates
environment that our members can bring equally impactful, benefit. This initiative deeply, conveying a commitment to
all the children to, allowing students from is designed to build a more responsible and unparalleled excellence.
each of our schools to meet. We offer this informed network of agents. “It creates a FELTOM’s journey from a fledgling
to non-associated schools as well, but at a database of agents that are more committed collective to the “guardian of ELT
different price point. to understanding more about Malta and that standards” in Malta is a testament to its
means more to our members. It also means enduring vision. The strategic move to
Valletta and value-driven MOUs more to the ELT sector, and it creates a Valletta, coupled with the pioneering agent
“We looked at our 35-year anniversary, quality mark, not only within Malta, but with training scheme, signals a bold new chapter.
and it was a good time to kind of take a the whole value chain and proposition of FELTOM is not simply looking back at its
new perspective,” Says Rees-Jones reveals, agents aligned to and connecting and selling impressive legacy but is actively shaping the
explaining the rationale behind FELTOM’s Malta. So, it’s got a huge ripple through future of Maltese ELT on the global stage,
recent strategic shifts. “We have a new chair, factor.” ensuring that Malta remains a premier
we have a new CEO [Rees-Jones], and it was The self-paced course is free to study and destination for English language learners
a time to refresh post COVID, and this gave includes modules on Malta’s culture and worldwide.
editorial@elgazette.com 19