Courtesy visit of the ambassador of Italy to Malta

On 27 October resident Ambassador of Italy to Malta, H.E. Dr Valentina Setta, paid a courtesy visit to the University of Malta. Her Excellency was accompanied by Mr Santo Purello, First Secretary of the Embassy of Italy to Malta. 

H.E. Setta and Mr Purello were greeted by Rector, Prof. Alfred J. Vella, who welcomed her at his office and was joined for the meeting by Pro-Rector for International Development & Quality Assurance, Prof. Frank Bezzina and Pro-Rector for Research and Knowledge Transfer, Prof. Ing. Simon Fabri. Also present for the meeting were the Head of Department of Languages and Humanities in Education, Faculty of Education Prof. Sandro Caruana, Head of Department of Geosciences and representative of the Association of Italian University Professors and Researchers in Malta (ADURIM) Prof. Sebastiano D’Amico, Dr Glen Bonnici on behalf of the Head of the Department of Italian, Faculty of Arts, and Deputy Director of the International Office Ms Victoria Gauci. 

During the meeting a number of topics were discussed including initiatives at the University of Malta to support students in acquiring knowledge of foreign languages, naturally with a specific focus on Italian. Challenges for uptake of the various courses offered were discussed during the meeting. During the meeting it was noted that the numbers of exchanges for both students and staff mobilities with Italian universities are very high. The same can be said about extensive ongoing collaboration with Italian Universities and Italian Research Centers through research projects and joint publications. 

Prof. Vella confirmed his commitment towards strengthening ongoing collaboration with Italy and also reiterated the UM's commitment to support existing collaborations with the Republic of Italy.