UM–BOV partnership marks major step forward in the advancement of Malta’s first-ever women’s archive

In a clear sign of the strengthened joint commitment between the University of Malta and the BOV Foundation, an agreement was formalised on Wednesday 24 June 2026 between the University of Malta and Bank of Valletta through the BOV Foundation, paving the way for the continued financing and development of Malta’s first-ever Women’s Archive thus reinforcing the BOV Foundation’s commitment to the long-term development and sustainability of this important initiative. 

This archive, housed at the University of Malta’s Library (Special Archives Department), is aimed at preserving, documenting, and making accessible the histories, experiences, and contributions of women in Maltese society, while addressing their longstanding underrepresentation in the national archival record.

The Rector of the University of Malta, Prof. Alfred J. Vella, emphasised that initiatives such as this contribute to a more accurate and inclusive understanding of history. By incorporating diverse and previously underrepresented perspectives, the University helps ensure that the historical record reflects how events truly unfolded, thereby enriching public knowledge and strengthening its service to civil society. 

The University of Malta launched its Women’s Archive in March of 2025, an initiative that was spearheaded by Prof. Carmen Sammut, the University’s Pro-Rector for Student and Staff Affairs and Outreach, alongside an official University Committee that was established to bring its goals to fruition. The Committee is chaired by historian Dr Simone Azzopardi, and is also composed of Mr Kevin Ellul, Director of the UM Library, as well as Prof. JosAnn Cutajar, the Chairperson of the University’s Gender and Sexual Diversity Committee, the University’s Equity Coordinator, Ms Nadia Abdilla, and Dr Joan Abela, who leads the Notarial Archives Foundation and is also a lecturer at UM. 

Thanks to the collective effort of these members, the Women’s Archive has been enriched through a number of donated contributions, including the most recent one by art critic and former University lecturer, Rose Lapira.

Commenting on the initiative, Prof. Sammut said that having a functional, professionally equipped archival space compliant with international archival standards, has been a long-standing aspiration and a driving force throughout her tenure as Pro-Rector. She emphasised that the Archive will strengthen Malta’s cultural heritage by deepening understanding of women’s roles, and by providing greater insight into what has happened, how it unfolded, and the impact of women’s contributions over time. 

Another clear sign of the growing institutional commitment to the Archive is the appointment of a full-time Research Support Officer, further strengthening its capacity to develop, coordinate, and sustain its activities. 

Newly-appointed Research Support Officer, Mr Chrisallo Borg, who will also be part of the above-mentioned Committee, will be playing a key role in actualising the objectives of the Women’s Archive, by identifying and liaising with potential donors, cataloguing and digitising collections, leading exhibitions and outreach initiatives such as workshops, lectures, and discussions, and making the archive accessible to other researchers and the general public.

Commenting on this initiative, Mr Ernest Agius, Chief Operations Officer at Bank of Valletta, remarked that this partnership marks an important milestone in the collaboration between the Bank and the University of Malta. He commended this initiative for its lasting cultural and educational value, stating, “At Bank of Valletta, through the BOV Foundation, the Maltese legacy is not only preserved through some work of art or a building that deserves some form of restoration but also through investment in society and, in this case, in the field of research so that we have something lasting, researched in a professional and continuous way. We remain committed to supporting initiatives that create meaningful, lasting impact for future generations.”

Mr Charles Azzopardi, Head of CSR at Bank of Valletta, said that the Bank’s sponsorship reflects its full support for the project. He described it as an honour to contribute to an initiative of national importance, while emphasising the need to track its progress and ensure its long-term impact and effectiveness. 

As the Women’s Archive continues to develop, its impact will extend beyond academia, offering a valuable resource for research, education, and public engagement, while ensuring that women’s voices are firmly embedded in Malta’s collective memory.