From Experience to Opportunity: MFHEA Places Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) at the Centre of Malta’s Lifelong Learning Agenda
The Second RPL Annual Event Highlights the Value of Experience in Education and Employment
The Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA) held its second Annual Recognition of Prior Learning Conference yesterday at the Salini Resort Hotel, bringing together local and international education providers, employers, stakeholders, European experts and RPL candidates to discuss how learning gained through work, volunteering, life experience and professional practice can be formally recognised.
Held under the theme T.R.A.C.E. — Transforming Recognition and Acknowledging Credentials in Education and Employment, the event placed Recognition of Prior Learning at the centre of Malta’s lifelong learning agenda. Through presentations, interactive discussions, panel sessions, and candidate testimonials, participants shared experiences and best practices for recognising and valuing prior learning and professional experience.
In his opening speech, MFHEA CEO Mr James Perry Maia underlined that learning takes place every day “through work, volunteering, life experiences, professional practice, and the challenges people overcome throughout their lives”, and that RPL is “a powerful tool for lifelong learning” which allows people’s knowledge, skills and competences to be formally recognised and valued.
Perry Maia explained that at its core, RPL focuses on “fairness, inclusion, and opportunity” by making sure individuals don’t have to redo learning they’ve already mastered and that their abilities aren’t restricted to what traditional academic certificates show.
“Recognition of Prior Learning is ultimately about recognising people, recognising potential, and recognising that learning is truly lifelong,” Mr Perry Maia stated.
The CEO also emphasised that RPL is not about lowering standards. High-quality RPL systems must be based on proper assessment, transparency, consistency and strong quality assurance processes, with learning assessed against clear outcomes.
The event took place after MFHEA released its revised RPL guidelines last year. During the conference, Mr. Gaetano Calleja, Senior Manager Validation at MFHEA, outlined the RPL process and reiterated the Authority’s dedication to encouraging its broader adoption. He also mentioned MFHEA’s plans to facilitate the development of a local RPL network.
The conference featured both European and local perspectives. Dr Ciara Staunton presented developments in the Irish higher education system and discussed the HE Project and its achievements, while Ms Agnes Witani from Austria focused on the European RPL Network and the value of peer support within networks. Ms Christel Berg, Coordinator of RPL at Lund University in Sweden, shared innovative RPL processes used at the university.
From the local perspective, Prof. Michelle Attard Tonna from the University of Malta explored how RPL can contribute to the future of professions, while Dr Therese Camilleri, also from the University of Malta, presented current RPL practices at the University.
A central part of the event was the RPL candidate testimonial panel, moderated by Prof. Attard Tonna, during which candidates shared their experiences of the RPL process and reflected on how recognition of prior learning can support personal, educational and professional development.
The programme also addressed the relationship between education and the labour market. Mr Aaron Rizzo from the Institute of Tourism Studies discussed how RPL can help bridge the gap between education and employment in the hospitality sector.
The event concluded with a moderated discussion involving speakers and expert stakeholders, facilitated by Dr Jana Kazarjan from MFHEA, followed by closing observations from Mr Calleja.
“This conference confirmed the growing importance of Recognition of Prior Learning as a tool to support lifelong learning, employability and fairer access to education. I would like to thank all speakers, participants and stakeholders for their valuable contributions and for the meaningful exchange of experiences and perspectives. For MFHEA, the way forward is to continue working closely with education providers, employers and stakeholders to promote a stronger RPL culture in Malta. By making recognition practices more visible, accessible and consistent, we can help create more flexible pathways between education, skills development and the labour market.”
– Perry Maia declared.