Memorandum of Understanding between the University of Malta’s Faculty of Science and the Continental Shelf Department of the Ministry for Transport and Infrastructure
The Faculty of Science within the University of Malta, represented by Rector, Professor Juanito Camilleri, and Head of Geosciences Department, Dr Pauline Galea, and the Continental Shelf Department within the Ministry for Transport and Infrastructure (CS-MTI), represented by Minister Joe Mizzi, Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, and Dr Albert Caruana, Director General of the Continental Shelf Department, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for a term of two years.
CS-MTI is the Government Department that promotes, licences and regulates the upstream oil and gas sector in Malta. The purpose of this MoU is to develop collaboration between the Parties on the degree of Master of Science in Petroleum Studies, with the aim of increasing value to the course.
The University of Malta launched the degree in October 2015. This course aims at providing professionals with the necessary broad skills and understanding in petroleum related subjects, to allow them to start or advance their career in the oil and gas sector. The course offers academic and specialised training in all aspects of the upstream petroleum industry, from exploration to production.
CS-MTI has agreed to provide a grant of Euro 50,000 for the first and second year of the course and to collaborate by providing students with access to specialised equipment, software and books, to assist in obtaining accreditation from professional societies and to help students network with industry, as well as to provide geophysical data which can be used for individual student projects. The University will be using this grant for the improvement of the Master Programme in Petroleum Studies, by engaging visiting experts from foreign universities and industry to lecture on the course, and also by encouraging research or other educational activities. It will be purchasing equipment to set up a laboratory, and fund expenses related to geological field trips locally and abroad.