The Department of Oriental Studies at the University of Malta is pleased to announce that in October 2010 it will be offering a degree in Classical Hebrew. The degree gives an overview of ancient Israelite and Jewish history and culture, covering the period ranging from the 12th century BC and the 2nd century AD, and of the development of the Hebrew language during this period. Various language courses on Classical and post-Classical Hebrew (starting from the very basics of the language) will be on offer, which will enable the students to read ancient Jewish texts, such as the Hebrew Bible and the Dead Sea Scrolls, in their original language. The language courses are complimented by a number of historical and cultural courses, which present a general introduction to the social and cultural context from which these ancient texts originated. These historical and cultural courses provide a detailed analysis of the literary and archaeological evidence from the periods under discussion.

The various language courses which the degree offers are on: Classical Hebrew, Mishnaic Hebrew, the Hebrew of the Dead Sea Scrolls, and Biblical Aramaic; some of these courses consist of basic language classes, while others consist of readings of Hebrew and Aramaic texts. The historical and cultural courses which the degree offers cover topics such as: the emergence of Ancient Israel, Judah in the Persian Period, Jews and Judaism in the Second Temple Period, Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls, ancient Jewish literature and the formation of the Hebrew Bible.   

The B.A./B.A.(Hons) degree in Classical Hebrew is a three-year full-time degree. For more information please contact Ms Louisa Borg.

The Malta Internet Foundation offers an annual prize in support of academic work making a significant contribution to Internet technologies.

As previously announced, the 2010 prize concerns the theme of Intelligent Web Services, and has submission deadline 30th June, 2010. Further details can be seen at http://www.nic.org.mt/news.

The Foundation is pleased to announce the prize in 2011. This will be awarded to students submitting innovative work describing or demonstrating systems that profit from use of the Internet and address a need that is particularly relevant to the Maltese context. Submissions should address one or more of the following areas:

• Green ICT: includes the dimensions of environmental sustainability, the economics of energy efficiency, and the total cost of ownership, which includes the cost of disposal and recycling. It is the study and practice of using computing resources efficiently to contribute to improvement of the environment.
• Semantic Web: an evolving development of the World Wide Web in which the meaning (semantics) of information and services on the web is defined, making it possible for the web to "understand" and satisfy the requests of people and machines to use the web content
• Mobile and Location Based Applications: mobile applications are those that can be deployed on a mobile phone, and location based applications are sensitive to the geospatial location in which they are used.
• IPv6: the next-generation Internet Protocol version designated as the successor to IPv4, the first implementation used in the Internet that is still in dominant use currently.

The submission must have academic merit as reflected by an official assessment in the context of a recognised university degree course. The two categories of submission are (i) a final year project or (ii) assessed coursework i.e.  a significant component of a course carrying at least 4 ECTS credits.

A cash prize of  €600 will be offered for the best final year project in any of the special areas. A second  prize of €400 will be offered for best assessed coursework. Other prizes will also be offered.

Eligibility
Students reading for a university degree who are resident in Malta.

Submission Procedure
A copy of the final year project report, or of the coursework, together with any software, as submitted towards the award of degree, should be submitted in softcopy on CD indicating clearly which category of submission is intended and contact details of the student, to: 2011 Prize, Malta Internet Foundation, c/o IT Services Reception Desk, University Campus, Msida MSD 2080.
 
Deadlines
Deadline for Submission: 30 June 2011
Announcement of Winners: September 2011
Award of Prize: October 2011

Queries about this initiative should be addressed to info@nic.org.mt with subject line '2011 Prize'.

About the Malta Internet Foundation
The Malta Internet Foundation, also known as NIC(Malta), was officially inaugurated in January 1999 and is responsible for managing the .mt top-level domain for Malta. The mission of the Malta Internet Foundation also includes activities to promote use of the Internet in Malta. The Foundation was responsible for the setting up of the Malta Internet eXchange (MIX) to facilitate local IP traffic between local ISPs. Current activities also include supporting IPv6 and offering annual prizes for outstanding projects on Internet-related themes. The Foundation is a member of the Maltese IPv6 Task Force and, together with University of Malta, coordinates the Malta IPv6 national test-bed (M6ix).

Click here to access the website.

A group of 17 members from the University Junior College Chamber Orchestra, accompanied by project coordinator Ms Boryana Chaneva and Orchestra director Mro. Manoel Pirotta, travelled to Germany between 1 and 9 July 2010 as part of a student exchange and annual partnership between the Junior College and the Louis-Otto-Peters School in Wiesloch, Germany.

There, the group marked the 10 year anniversary of partnership between the two schools. The students performed two vocal and instrumental concerts at Louis-Otto-Peters School on 5 July and at Max-Weber-School in Sinsheim on the 8th July. The group visited Heildelberg, Mannheim, Schwetzingen and Bruchsal, where students got a chance to tour the castle as well as visit the mechanical instruments museum. Students also had the opportunity to visit the Mannheim National Theatre, the oldest local theatre in Germany and one of the tops in the world, where the young musicians were first given the rare opportunity to visit back stage and experience what it is like to stand in a professional orchestra pit. Later, they were also allowed to view an opera dress rehearsal of Wagner’s dramatic Götterdämmerung 'The Twilight of the Gods'.

A farewell was organised for the students at the magnificent Schwetzingen Palace Gardens – the summer residence of Prince Elector Carl Theodor. The German students are expected to return the visit in October, when the 17 Maltese participants will host them for the duration of their stay.

The participant musicians were:
Musical Director: Mro. Manoel Pirotta
Flute: May Schembri
Clarinet: Tracey Vella
Trumpet: Fabian Fenech
Althorn: Benjamin Vassallo
Trombone: Fabio Spiteri
Violin I: Miguel Rosales, Claudia Galea, Kirsty  Gomez Blancom, Katryna Grech
Violin II: Marie-Claire Cassar, Melissa Caruana
Viola: Michelle Borg
Piano: Analise Mifsud, Maria Attard
Percussion: Kristian Schembri, Gilbert Farrugia
Soprano: Analise Mifsud
Baritone: Gilbert Delicata

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

 

9 September 2010
http://www.um.edu.mt/news_on_campus/features/archive