Cap. 638 Art. 13Functions of the Vocational and Professional Council.

(1) The Vocational and Professional Council shall be responsible for the general direction of the academic, vocational and professional education and training of the College, and shall have the following functions:

(a) to ensure that the policies, strategy and decisions adopted by the Board of Governors in terms of article 10 are implemented;

(b) in line with the three-year strategic plan, prepare a three-year academic plan based on the plans prepared and submitted by each academic unit and ensure its execution;

(c) to regulate by means of policies and procedures the programmes of studies, training, research, documentation and examinations at the College and to establish such degrees, diplomas, certificates and awards for such candidates satisfying the prescribed conditions after following the required study programmes;

(d) to decide about the persons to whom the academic, vocational and professional degrees, diplomas, certificates and other distinctions shall be awarded;

(e) to establish, subject to the provisions of this Act, the entry conditions to the College, including those of part-time study programmes;

(f) to appoint Maltese or foreign examiners according to pre-established statutes and procedures, and to ensure that payment is effected for their services;

(g) to recognise, following a recommendation by the competent authorities according to law, such degrees, diplomas, certificates and distinctions of other universities or educational institutions;

(h) to approve the curricula and the syllabi submitted by the academic units and, where it deems it so necessary, to revert same with its advice about any proposed amendments;

(i) to recommend to the Board of Governors the establishment of new vocational and professional academic units leading to qualifications at all MQF levels which may include the introduction of new subject matter;

(j) to present to the Board of Governors, with the launch of each prospectus, an annual proposal of all academic units forecasted to be removed, retained and introduced in the prospectus of the following year;

(k) to ensure positive and active relations between the College and its professional and educational partners in Malta and overseas;

(l) to give advice to the Board of Governors on academic and professional matters.

(2) The Council shall meet at least every six (6) weeks and the quorum for the meetings shall be of not less than one-half of the number of members plus one.