(Updated with first reactions from Ms Samantha Pace Gasan herself, as shared with Newspoint on Friday 22 January 2021)
Ms Samantha Pace Gasan, a Research Support Officer within the Faculty for Social Wellbeing and coordinator on several of their projects, has recently been appointed as the new Commissioner for Persons with Disability.
She is replacing Oliver Scicluna, who was recently co-opted to Parliament.
Ms Pace Gasan, who is 27 years old, graduated with a BA Hons in Social Politics in 2016 and later obtained a Master’s Degree in Creativity and Innovation.
In the past year, she co-authored research on the impact of COVID-19 on persons with disability.
Also last year, she was diagnosed with Marfan Syndrome, which affects connective tissue in the body.
Many congratulated Ms Pace Gasan on her appointment, including Minister for Inclusion and Social Wellbeing, Hon. Julia Farrugia Portelli, who mentioned that this occasion ties in nicely with the theme of the United Nation’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the need to move toward a disability-inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 world.