The European Documentation and Research Centre (EDRC) of the University of Malta has launched an evening two-year Diploma in European Studies. The deadline for the submission of applications has been extended to 15 September 2010.

Details about the Diploma and about EDRC are available online.

The Malta University Press has just published a pace-setting two volume work on 'The European Mind: Narrative and Identity'. Introduced and edited by Professor Henry Frendo, the set includes contributions by 200 scholars from 69 universities in 31 countries. The most extensive such oeuvre ever published by MUP to date, volume 1, which is divided into three parts (726 pages), treats topics in the fields of history, geography and science; economics, politics and law; education, sociology and women’s studies. Volume 2, divided into two parts (844 pages), looks at aspects of painting, sculpture, theatre, music, culture and literature; language, philosophy, psychology and religion.

Chapters on Malta

The tenth world congress of the International Society for the Study of European Ideas, of which these are the selected and edited proceedings, was inaugurated at the University of Malta by its rector, Professor Juanito Camilleri, in July 2006 and attended by over 400 academics from 42 countries. It was convened and chaired on behalf of ISSEI by Professor Frendo who has been active in the Society since 1989 and was its congress keynote speaker at the University of Navarra on co-existence and modernity in 2004, and again at the University of Helsinki on language and the scientific imagination in 2008. Professor Frendo is also a co-author of volume 1 with his chapter on the Malta language question, seen as a prelude to worsening Anglo-Italian relations on the eve of the Abyssinia war in the mid-1930s.

Three other entries deal specifically with aspects of Malta and the Maltese. These are ‘Language, Culture and Nation in Malta: Some Preliminary Remarks’ by  Professor Alexander Borg from the Department of Hebrew Language at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel, in the section ‘Empire and Nation in the Mediterranean’ (also in vol. 1); ‘Urbanisation and Rural Attitudes in Maltese Novels’ by Associate Professor Charles Briffa, a literary critic and lecturer at the University of Malta, in the section on ‘Experiencing the Urban: The Representation of the City in Literature; while in the section on ‘Language in a Changing World’, Amalia Plaskasoviti, a PhD student in the Department of German Language at Aristotle University in Thessaloniki, Greece, writes about language and identity in a migrant context: ‘Attitudes of Members of the Maltese Community of Corfu to their Ethnic Language and Heritage’ (both in vol. 2).     

The Making of Europeanity

In his general introduction to this inter-disciplinary opus ranging from archaeology to philosophy, history to governance, the arts to the sciences, Professor Frendo asks: 'Can we speak of a European mind? If there is one, how far is it identifiable or quantifiable? Which are the sinews in its thread?' He suggests that above all, perhaps, Europeanity 'evokes and portrays the spirit of free enquiry, the cutting edges of engagement, dialogue and discourse, the shared heritage of which has most singularly shaped a European mind and identity in its multiple and changing forms, genres and varieties.' Citing Hellenism, Romanism, Christendom and other major movements of ideas and beliefs, he says these could be seen to fathom Europe’s mould and memory of itself, raising as many questions as answers, 'the more so in a post-war, post-colonial and post-modern world'.

Referring to Denis de Rougemont's 28 siecles d'Europe, prefaced in 1990 by Jacques Delors, Frendo evokes the myth of Cadmos. 'The son of Agenor and brother of Europa, Cadmos only found his sister after much adventure and travail. Hence "rechercher l'Europe c’est la faire"' – to search for Europe is to make her.

Printed at Gutenberg and designed by Midsea, The European Mind as a set of two hard-bound volumes is on sale at 100 euros, or at 55 euros for volume 1 and 60 euros for volume 2, from Sierra Book Distributors. More information may be obtained from the Malta University Press.

13-19 September 2010

The Institute for Tourism, Travel and Culture (formerly the Department of Tourism Studies) at the University of Malta, is offering a one-week Summer Course on Food and Mediterranean Society. The course gives an overview of the cultural aspects of food and its place in Mediterranean societies, and comprises a programme of morning lectures and afternoon/evening field trips.  

The course is open to practitioners and professionals in the hospitality and culture industry, as well as food enthusiasts and the general public.  

Topics included in the course are: How new foods helped transform the Mediterranean diet; Food as a means of cultural exchange; Food markets and their socio-cultural role in Mediterranean communities; Semiotics and gastronomy – food and taste; Fasting and Feasting – foods and sweets associated with Christian celebrations; The science of taste and smell; Food and Communications Media; Nutrition, Health and the Mediterranean Diet.

The course will be held at the University campus, Msida, and transport will be provided for the field trips and visits.  

Applications and enquiries are to be sent, by 24 August 2010, to
Institute for Tourism, Travel and Culture
FEMA Bldg, University of Malta
Tel +356 2340 2722
Send an email to Ms Alison Scicluna or Ms Jean Killick
Website

The Department of Oriental Studies at the University of Malta is pleased to announce that in October 2010 it will be offering a new programme of study: a B.A./B.A. (Hons) Degree in Classical Hebrew.

The Department of Oriental Studies will now be offering three different degree programmes of study: B.A./B.A. (Hons) in Arabic; B.A./B.A. (Hons) in Classical Hebrew; B.A./B.A. (Hons) in Near Eastern Studies.

For more information please contact Ms Louisa Borg or call on +356 2340 2046.

The Department of Biology at the University of Malta recently hosted a group of 46 postgraduate students reading for an Erasmus Mundus Masters degree in Marine Biology and Conservation (EMBC), together with seven of their tutors, for their 2010 summer school.

The visit, which was held during the period 10 to 20 July, mainly focussed on project work in marine biology carried out in the field and the laboratories of the Department of Biology, but also included lectures, seminars and site visits. During their visit, participants acquired knowledge of the particular physical and biological characteristics of Mediterranean marine habitats and biota as exemplified by the local marine environment, which, given that the Maltese Islands are situated practically at the centre of the Mediterranean, are very representative of the diversity of Mediterranean marine habitats and biota.

Department of Biology academic staff members Dr Joseph A. Borg and Prof. Patrick J. Schembri delivered lectures and contributed to field and laboratory sessions, while the technical staff of the Department provided logistic and material support. The summer school was co-ordinated by Dr Tim Deprez from the University of Ghent (Belgium) and Dr Joseph A. Borg from the University of Malta.

University offers studies leading to M.Sc. in Sustainable Energy

The University of Malta is offering a part-time evening programme spread over 3 years leading to an M.Sc in Sustainable Energy. The evening lectures are intended to enable people already employed to also join the course after working hours. The programme is intended to attract engineers, scientists, architects, technical people and others working or interested in the field.

It may lead to careers in the energy sector with local or foreign companies , working in energy efficiency and renewable energy. This sector is seeing substantial growth of over 25% per year and promises sustained growth for many years to come.

The course will initially be  introducing the student to the various aspects of sustainable energy, strengthening the scientific and engineering background that is required in this area. The course will later focus on energy efficient and renewable energy technologies together with energy management and auditing.  An emphasis will also be made on energy use in buildings and the various environmental issues related to the generation of both conventional and clean forms of energy. Topics related to the energy regulations and economics will also be covered. The third year will be dedicated to a dissertation which will enable each student to choose his/her area of interest and specialise in it. It is thus envisioned that the programme will produce experts in all major areas of renewable energy and energy efficiency which will be required to implement Malta’s National Plan.

After completing this course the student will be able to describe the differences, advantages and disadvantages of the various sources of energy and to apply appropriate techniques to experimental design and literature review, among other things. Having acquired these skills, students will be very attractive to prospective employers such as RE installers, manufacturers and RE producers.

For further information please visit the website or send an email.

Applications are to be submitted by 8 August through the Online Application facility. Late applications will be received up to 31 August against a fee.

The Institute for Sustainable Development (ISD) announces a Master of Science (by Research)

The Institute for Sustainable Development (ISD) of the University of Malta  is offering a Master of Science (by Research) starting next October. The programme of study is focused mainly on individual research and candidates will be encouraged to apply technology tools to model, predict and forecast particular behaviour, phenomena, policies which are in line with the Institute’s objectives as well as particular streams identified in the Government’s ICT Strategy for Malta.

Through thorough literature reviews, the student will be able to demonstrate the importance and relevance of his research to the area of study as well as data sets, compute statistics and interpret results. This course will enable the student to report on subject knowledge in his/her dissertation as well as examinations linked to the taught component of this programme of study. Through the development of research in new and innovative areas of study, students will be able to develop intellectually in niche areas and establish new areas of research within the Institute and transfer skills and knowledge to the industry and/or government.

Students will be expected to demonstrate key skills such as the handling of spatial and/or non-spatial data, academic report writing and time management. They will also be expected to use case studies in their research and model performance, trends and forecasts of particular phenomena, which will then be reported in the dissertation. Students will develop skills in application or development of technology to support policy-making and strategy, which skills are currently in high demand in the industry.

Interested candidates who wish to carry out research at the Institute (independently as well as linked to degree programmes) should prepare a proposal following the guidelines which can be found at the ISD website.

Click here to apply online.

Further details about the programme can be obtained from the:
Institute for Sustainable Development
Website
Email
Tel: +356 2340 3403

Professor Angela Xuereb Anastasi has been elected as the first Dean of the newly established Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Malta. This was formerly the Institute of Health Care, set up in 1987, and now conferred with faculty status as the twelfth faculty at the University of Malta.

Professor Xuereb Anastasi has many years of academic life experience, gained at this University and also in the UK. Since her appointment in 1995 as Associate Professor, she has held many administrative positions within the University, and has been responsible for the Applied Biomedical Science Division (formerly Medical Laboratory Science Division). Professor Xuereb Anastasi lectures in Biomedical Biochemistry and Research Methods. Her research interests concern mainly the genetics of osteoporosis. She has over 40 articles published in international peer-reviewed journals, and has contributed chapters to books. She was recently promoted to Full Professor.

Despite the change in name, the ethos of the Faculty of Health Sciences remains centred around the caring aspect of the training of health professionals. Building on the groundwork laid by many in the Institute of Health Care in the past, the new Faculty, which comprises 10 Departments, is responsible for the training of professionals in the various areas of health care, including rehabilitation, diagnostics and therapeutics. Together with the graduates from the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, the graduates of this new Faculty are key players in the multi-disciplinary approach to health care, They comprise nursing and midwifery staff, radiographers, diagnostic laboratory technologists, and all the healthcare professions involved in the various therapies – physiotherapists, occupational therapists, podiatrists, speech-language pathologists – and environmental health professionals and health service managers.  Health care professionals are kept abreast of new developments in health care by the organization of continuing professional development courses within the Faculty.

Professor Xuereb Anastasi believes that there is great benefit to be derived from more commonality among the various professionals, both in terms of study-units and research themes to be developed across departments and across faculties, at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Research is an integral activity of all Faculty members of staff. This secures a profile for the Faculty across the University and also at European level. Another aim is more intra-faculty and also inter-faculty professional activity, be the latter with doctors, engineers, chemists, educationists, etc. It is by furthering such forms of interaction and collaboration that the various professions, as they learn mutual respect and understanding as graduates, will then continue to provide a comprehensive service to the patient. Professor Xuereb Anastasi hopes to see the growth of collaboration with overseas universities, especially in Europe. She intends that this network be nurtured in order to put the Faculty squarely on the map of European and international Faculties of Health Sciences. Inclusion of the Faculty within EU programmes of teaching and research is an important dimension and would also be facilitated in this way.

The new Faculty provides the health care professionals required to service the state hospital, as well as the private health care service, and must be at the cutting edge of change. It will be a challenge to continuously ensure the timely introduction of training programmes for newly-emerging health care professions while maintaining quality throughout. However, the Dean is confident that such challenges will be met by the Faculty’s dedicated staff working closely with its stakeholders, foremost among which is the Department of Health. This is indeed a very exciting time for the newly established Faculty of Health Sciences.

The 22nd edition of the Gozo Observer has just been published. Interesting articles include that by Prof. Patrick Schembri, which gives an insight to the threat from introduced alien species, faced by the Painted Frog, the only native amphibian in the Maltese Islands, while Dr Saviour Formosa's article reveals crime mapping in Gozo.

Rev. Dr Joseph Bezzina points out some of the treasures to be found in the National Archives in Gozo, while in his article entitled 'A Green Island in the Sun', Prof. Roderick Pace gives an indication of how certain characteristics of Gozo have remained the same over the passage of many years.

Dr Mario Saliba offers an article which describes the many attractions of the village of Nadur and Mr Anton Tabone, ex-Speaker of the House of Representatives, presents the history of the University Gozo Centre up to its promotion to Campus.

Consiglia Azzopardi's article describes the Lace Programme and Lace Day which are held at the University Gozo Campus, while a short article by Caroline Camilleri Rolls addresses the first EU funded University of Malta course to be held in Gozo. Joseph Calleja gives a report of the academic and extra-curricular activities held at the Campus between January and June 2010.

Free copies of the Gozo Observer and more information can be obtained from:
University Gozo Campus
Mgarr Road
Xewkija, Gozo
Tel: +356 21 564559
Fax +356 21 564550
Email

The University of Malta will be accepting applications from interested individuals to follow a Masters degree in Gerontology and Geriatrics.

The course will commence in October 2010 and will span four semesters of full-time study. The first two semesters comprising the taught part should be read full-time. The second two semesters devoted to supervised research and the writing of a dissertation are to be read either full-time or the equivalent of four semesters part-time.

Further information can be obtained from Prof. Joseph Troisi, Director of the European Centre of Gerontology, University of Malta, Msida MSD 2080.
Tel/Fax: +356 21 319526
Email
Course website