1.  About Malta and the University of Malta

About Malta

MALTA, Gozo and Comino, the inhabited islands of the Maltese archipelago, lie at almost the exact geographical heart of the Mediterranean Sea.  With Sicily some 60 miles to the North, Tripoli 220 miles to the South and Tunis 200 miles to the West, Malta is virtually at the crossroads between continents.  The islands' strategic position has, in fact, made them subject to a succession of rulers, who in turn left their influence on the country and language as we know them today.  Malta's pre-history dates back to 5000 B.C., whilst its documented past is traceable over a period of 2000 years.

In 1964 Malta obtained its political independence from Britain and in 1974 it became a Republic.  Elections to the House of Representatives are held every five years.  Malta is a member of the United Nations and its various organisations and ever since 1964 has taken an active role in United Nations affairs.  In 1967 Malta launched the idea of seabed resources being the common heritage of mankind. Having voted to join the EU in a referendum, Malta became a full member on 1 May 2004.

The national language is Maltese which is a complex derivative of Semitic and Romance languages using a primarily Latin alphabet but also including a number of additional letters which originate in the Arab language.  English is also an official language.  The climate is typically Mediterranean, having mild winters and hot summers.  Malta has a population of 400,000 and is visited annually by over one million tourists. Air Malta and other international airlines link Malta with the major European and North African cities.  There are daily connections to London (Heathrow and Gatwick Airports) and Rome as well as frequent direct flights to Milan, Brussels, Paris, Frankfurt, Zurich, Athens, Tunis, Cairo, Tel Aviv and Dubai.  A sophisticated telecommunications system and widespread access to telefax machines, cardphone-booths and internet cafés, ensure easy international links.  The capital city is Valletta commissioned by Grandmaster La Vallette after the Great Siege of 1565.

About the University of Malta

 THE University of Malta traces its origins to the founding of the Collegium Melitense in 1592.  Situated at Tal-Qroqq, it is the highest teaching institution of the State by which it is mainly financed and is open to all those who have the requisite qualifications. There are over 9,800 students including over 750 foreign/exchange students from 80 different countries, following full-time or part-time degree and diploma courses, most of them run on the modular or credit system.  Some 2,000 students graduate in various disciplines annually.  The degree courses at the University are designed to produce highly qualified professionals, with experience of research, who will play key roles in industry, commerce and public affairs in general.  There are a further nearly 3,500 pre-tertiary students at the Junior College which is also managed by the University.

The University today has ten faculties: Architecture & Civil Engineering; Arts; Dental Surgery; Economics, Management & Accountancy; Education; Engineering; Laws; Medicine & Surgery; Science and Theology.  A number of interdisciplinary institutes and centres have been set up in various fields.  These include Agriculture, Anglo-Italian Studies, Baroque Studies, Communication Technology, Edward de Bono Institute for the Design and Development of Thinking, Energy Technology, Forensic Studies, Health Care, Linguistics, Maltese Studies, Masonry and Construction Research, Physical Education and Sport, Public Administration and Management, the Mediterranean Institute, European Centre of Gerontology, Euro-Mediterranean Centre for Educational Research, Workers' Participation Development Centre and the European Documentation and Research Centre (EDRC) which incorporates the European Documentation Centre established to serve as a repository of European Community documents as well as a resource centre for students and the general public. A Board of Studies for Information Technology regulates courses in IT.

A centre on Malta's sister-island, Gozo, offers a part-time evening degree course and facilitates short courses and seminars.  Associated with the University is the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies which was established by special agreement with the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva.  The campus is also home to the International Maritime Law Institute (IMO) and the International Ocean Institute Malta Operational Centre.  The public response to the University of the Third Age has been very encouraging with membership constantly on the increase and all activities being well attended.

There are a number of fields which the University has identified as priority areas.  Chief among these, are relations with industry and the strengthening of the Engineering departments; the further development of information technology, computer science and artificial intelligence; the University's contribution to the improvement of primary and secondary education and the forging of inter-university links to stimulate international educational exchange.  A bold recent initiative taken was the opening of the University's Link Campus in Rome.  Initially, three B.A.(Hons.) degree courses are being offered in the areas of international legal affairs, international studies and international management.

International affairs, including conferences and seminars, are run from the Foundation for International Studies, the seat of the University's International Office which is situated in the original University building in Valletta.  In recent years, a number of "Summer Schools" and short courses for both foreign and local participants have been conducted under its umbrella in conjunction with other European Universities.  These have included English Language Courses, Summer School in Archaeology, Maltese Lace Course, The Mediterranean Environment: an Overview and a Summer School in European Contract and Banking Law organised in conjunction with ìLa Sapienzaî University, Rome.  A number of programmes has also been organised jointly with Luther College, Iowa; James Madison University, Virginia; Bradley  University, Illinois and South Texas College of Law (in collaboration with California Western School of Law, New England School of Law and William Mitchell College of Law) in the USA and in Australia, Australians Studying Abroad (The Sicilian Channel Programme).

The University of Malta is a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities, the European University Association (EUA), the Utrecht Network, the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP), the European Access Network (EAN) as well as the Santander Network and the Compostela Group.  Through its Socrates Office, University of Malta students participate in programmes such as Erasmus, Leonardo and Comenius. Over the years, the University has participated in various EU Programmes and has won several projects under the 5th and 6th Framework Programmes in collaboration with a number of partner universities. 

The University is geared towards the infrastructural and industrial needs of the country so as to provide expertise in crucial fields.  There is ongoing collaboration with the public and private sectors whilst various services are offered to industry.

For further information about Malta:

http://www.searchmalta.com/
http://www.maltatourismauthority.com/  which has links to
general info about Malta; hotels and events and other MTA sites
http://www.eyemalta.com/
http://www.visitmalta.com/
 

Last updated: 9 September 2004