https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/13769 2026-07-15T11:31:34Z 2026-07-15T11:31:34Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148020 2026-07-13T10:48:53Z 2026-03-27T00:00:00Z

Title: The implications of the EU Labour Migration Framework for low- and medium skilled migration to Malta Abstract: Focusing on the period 2004–2023, the research is structured around three central research questions and integrates legal analysis, economic theory, and empirical evidence analysing the effects on the Maltese labour market. The presentation will outline the progress achieved so far in identifying an economic theory, gathering data on the Maltese labour market between 2004 and 2023, establishing a legal database, and developing the foundations of a restrictiveness index of migration. The latter, refers to be the degree to which the relevant EU directive, its national transposition and/or scheme limit, condition or exclude access for low- and medium-skilled migrants to the national labour market. These elements are developed through the literature review and methodology chapters. The literature review chapter explores classical and neoclassical economic models of migration, including the human capital theory, wage-differential models, and the gravity model, which view migration as an investment decision which is influenced by expected income gains, migration costs, and labour market conditions. The review further examines legal migration constraints, particularly how admission criteria, sectoral quotas, labour market tests, skill thresholds, and administrative burdens may influence the volume and composition of labour inflows. Through the engagement of gravity models, which have been identified as the primary theoretical framework for this research, the study assesses how such models have been used to explore migration patterns. Gravity models typically include variables such as economic size, unemployment differentials, geographic distance, and policy constraints as indicators to explain migration flows. Building on this literature, the dissertation seeks to adapt a gravity-type framework to the Maltese context by integrating a legal restrictiveness index to examine how EU-level labour migration legislation and national transposition shape low- and medium-skilled migration outcomes. The study adopts a mixed-methods research design whereby each research question has a specific methodology including different variables, data sources, and analytical tools. The quantitative component employs regression analysis based on secondary data. While a restrictiveness matrix, as mentioned previously, is drawn up to analyse the level of restrictiveness policies implemented between 2004 – 2023 and their impact on low- and medium-skilled migrants. These two chapters of the study provide a structured framework for examining the relationship between EU labour migration governance and low- and medium-skilled labour mobility. The literature review and methodology chapters therefore lay the conceptual and analytical foundations for the research. Description: Held at the Institute for European Studies Library/European Documentation Centre on 27 March 2026.

2026-03-27T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148017 2026-07-13T10:40:29Z 2026-05-05T00:00:00Z

Title: Europe Day quiz night, 2026 Abstract: As part of its Europe Day activities, the Institute for European Studies, in collaboration with the European Commission Representation in Malta, hosted its annual quiz night at St Michael's Hospice in Santa Venera. Over 21 teams of students and alumni tackled more than 100 challenging questions on the European Union, European history, geography, sports, and Eurovision in a fun, supportive atmosphere. The competition was nail-biting, with "Eurostars" securing fifth place, followed by "L-Ahhar Cena" in fourth and Gerwen Boys in third. EURogers clinched second place, but victory went to the unbeatable AMG team of Darlene Schembri, Andrew Micallef, and Timon Nuemberger. During the quiz, €249 was raised for St Michael's Hospice. The Institute for European Studies thanks all sponsors for their generous support that made the event possible - European Commission Representation in Malta (main sponsor), Cakebox, Fort Fitness, Francis Busuttil & Sons (Marketing) Ltd, GCS Malta, Heritage Malta, iSeeMalta c/o Captain Morgan Operators Ltd, KPMG, NECTAR, ROCS. Description: Event held at at St Michael's Hospice in Santa Venera on 5 May 2026.

2026-05-05T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148014 2026-07-13T10:28:22Z 2026-03-12T00:00:00Z

Title: Europe Day quiz 2026 for secondary school students Abstract: The Institute for European Studies organised a quiz for secondary school students as part of our Europe Day celebrations. Congratulations to the winning teams: 1st place: Ta’ Wistin 2nd place: V 3rd place: The Quintet 4th place: SCC Unicorns 5th place: EU4US A sincere thank you to all the students and teachers who took part and helped make the event a success. We would also like to thank the European Commission Representation in Malta for sponsoring the event, as well as our students and ESO - European Studies Organisation for their valuable support with logistics. Description: Held at Campus Hub (Block O, Level 5, Room 517) on 12 March 2026.

2026-03-12T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148013 2026-07-13T10:13:15Z 2026-03-04T00:00:00Z

Title: CAMFORS Abstract: Professor Uta Russmann from the University of Innsbruck presented a project she is currently heading, CAMFORS, which focuses on digital platforms and political campaigning. The platform was used to code the campaigns of the main political parties and leading candidates in the 2024 European Elections. Description: More information from: https://digidemo.ifkw.lmu.de/camfors/; Held at the Institute for European Studies Library/European Documentation Centre on 4 March 2026.

2026-03-04T00:00:00Z