A year dominated by uncertainty, grief and renewed gratification towards medical professionals: 2020 brought unprecedented difficulties to all communities across the globe, not just the one we are part of, that of the University of Malta.
But it wasn’t just the COVID-19 pandemic that made the Newspoint headlines in 2020 – the University of Malta community was busier than ever; with new projects, new research and educational events that have served to make the wider Maltese community a better place, despite the challenges.
Here are the best Newspoint stories of 2020 for Q1 (January – March):
A joint initiative between the Physical Oceanography Research Group and the Department of Geosciences, asking the public to report any new sightings of jellyfish on and around the Maltese coast, celebrates its 10th anniversary.
The Pervasive Electronic Monitoring (PEM) project, which aims to improve the quality of life of people with dementia, presented the findings from their latest study to the Rector, detailing challenges the elderly come across in their daily lives.
The Department of Geosciences in collaboration with scientists from GNS Science in New Zealand identified potential hazards were quantified through 4 simulations, finding a potential tsunami hazard for Malta.
A study led by the Faculty of Medicine & Surgery discovered a link between diverse genes whose mutation causes the disease known as ALS, with the enzyme Gemin3 identified as the molecular bridge between genes whose mutation or disruption causes ALS.
The Marketing, Communications and Alumni Office’s video for Valentines 2020, stars Michelle and Wayne, a couple who met on campus.
Bachelors of Fine Arts (Digital Arts) students at UM designed the official imagery of the Malta Carnival 2020, featuring Lascaris and de Valette. The visuals ended up on all marketing collateral of the Malta Carnival 2020 activities.
Together with the Foundation for Information Technology Accessibility (FITA), UM entered into an agreement to further develop a Maltese Text-to-Speech Engine, which is beneficial to people with speech or visual impairment.
As many members of our community found themselves at home for prolonged periods of time, Newspoint thought to compile a list of activities to keep ourselves focused yet entertained.
The Symplegma brakenhielmi, a non-indigenous marine species, was discovered in Maltese waters, by the Department of Geosciences.
Members of the University of Malta community came together and pitched in their skillset to tackle the pandemic.