Inauguration of the Link Campus in Rome His Excellency Professor Guido De Marco, President of Malta, was keynote speaker at the inauguration ceremony of the University of Malta's Link Campus in Rome last Tuesday.  In his oration, the President dwelt on the concept of liberty in a democracy, stating the universities are beacons of liberty.  Quoting His Holiness Pope John Paul II, the President urged the a academics politicians and students attending the inauguration "not to be afraid of liberty": "Without liberty who can speak of fundamental rights?  Without liberty who can speak of freedom of thought?  Without liberty who can speak of university?  Liberty is universal just as a university has the universality of science and knowledge."

Professor Guido De Marco was speaking a day after being conferred with an honoris causa degree in law by the Seconda Universita degli Studi di Napoli where in his oration Valorizzando il Mediterraneo, he called on the universities of the Mediterranean to contribute towards the development of a  Pax Mediterranea.  The Link Campus University of Malta in Rome is another building block in the construction of a Pax Mediterranea. Malta's presence in Rome through the Link Campus as an example of further close collaboration between Malta and Italy., an example of  how culture brings countries closer together.

The inauguration of Link Campus was carried out by the Rector of the University of  Malta, Professor Roger Ellul Micallef in the presence of a number of distinguished Italian personalities.  These included the former President of Italy, HE Francesco Cossiga and Irene Pivetti, former Speaker of the lower house in the Italian Parliament (Presidente della Camera dei Deputati).

Link Campus is part of the University of  Malta internationalisation policy and is the first overseas campus to be set up by the University.  Initially, it will offer four BA (Hons) degree courses in the area of the international legal affairs; international studies; communications and international management.

Link Campus which is situated in the Via Nomentana, will seek to provide its students with the skills necessary to embark upon a management career in international institutions and industries.  The emphasis will be on small classes and the tutorial system and students will be required to undergo a period of study abroad and an industry intership as part of their course.
 

Communications Office
25 November 1999