Mediterranean College operates specialist laboratories and workshops for all fields of studies, fully equipped with technologies and instruments that facilitate the integration of theory into practice.
Mediterranean College is a registered Cisco Networking Academy and its Computer Networks Labs are fully equipped to support the CCNP and CCNA certifications as well as Computer Networks and Security courses at Master’s level. The Networks Labs are wired with a separate, local, high-speed network that enables hands-on training and simulations. Students become familiar with Cisco devices and learn how to programme routers, switches, wireless routers and adapters. Through the specialist network design and management software, students can control a network’s traffic and run simulations.
The Edu-Robotics Kit is used by Computer Science students in their Programming modules. The kit consists of the Lego Mindstorms production line, which combines programmable bricks, motors and sensors to create robots and interactive systems.
In Engineering, most modules have a practical component, which is practiced either in the College’s Computer labs or the specialist Engineering labs & workshops. The School of Engineering sustains partnerships with external, high-end laboratories and workshops, so that students can train in real industry conditions. The College’s internal workshops have a selection of instruments and machines, required to conduct experiments, tests and measurements, as well as to create prototypes. This equipment includes instruments for dimensional, environmental and topographic measurements, devices and machines for non destructive testing, material strength and technology, concrete testing and fluid mechanics. A small-scale machine tools workshop is equipped with basic machinery, such as mills, drills, lathes and auxiliary tools for the design and production of metal prototypes.
These facilities are used by Psychology, Counselling, Speech Therapy and Special Educational Needs students, where they can find reference material, conduct and observe role-plays of counselling and therapeutic sessions. In the Clinical Suite, students can access diagnostic manuals, contemporary tools for the observation, prediction and comprehension of human behaviour, personality and attributes, such as the TAT projective test, the MMPI personality test and various learning and speech disorders assessment tests. The Counselling Suite is stocked with educational DVDs of therapy sessions and is designed in order to host counselling sessions, with special furniture, an observation room with recording capabilities and a one-way mirror.
These workshops are used by Early Childhood and Speech Therapy students, where they can create their own educational or assessment material. The workshop has equipment and consumables for the use of music, drama, literature and crafts in Early Years Education.
Standard equipment in these practical rooms includes a patient treatment area with adjustable hydraulic plinths and treatment couches, an electrotherapy section (TENS, ultrasound, laser devices, long and short waves diathermy, magnetic fields, etc) and a gym area for exercise therapy and neurological rehabilitation. The physiotherapy equipment also includes basic patient movement gear (wheelchairs, walkers, etc), posters, anatomical models and accessories for specialised techniques.
Business school students use “SimVenture”, an awarded business simulation software, with which they resemble a real enterprise environment. Students undertake the managers’ role and, though market research and data analysis, are called to make informed decisions in the areas of strategic management, operations, marketing, sales and finance of their virtual business. This creative learning experience does not only enhance students’ ‘hard’ business skills, but also develops invaluable ‘soft’ attributes, such as group work, decision-making and presentation skills.
