The University of Malta is one of the six partners forming SEA-EU, a ‘European Universities’ Alliance. A ceremony was held on September 27th to award research seed funds to six chosen initiatives that highlight sustainability, innovation, inclusion and excellence. Awardees were selected after issuing a call for proposals to fund collaborative initiatives among the SEA-EU partners.
The six projects, awarded €4,000 each, are:
- STATED: Quantum Key distribution protocols via submarine optical fibers, led by Dr Tony George Apollaro
- Exploration of underwater cultural heritage using new technologies and digital tools, led by Prof. Timmy Gambin
- A Theological-Historical Comparative Analysis of Maritime-Related Spirituality in Malta and Croatia, led by Rev. Dr Stefan Attard
Rethinking sustainable tourism in the Mediterranean, co-led by Dr Joseph Schembri and Dr Marie Louise Mangion - PADLOCK: Phage DispLay of Immune ChecKpoints, co-led by Dr David Saliba and Dr Melissa Formosa
- SEIEng: Innovation Teaching for the Promotion of Sustainability, Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Engineering Students, led by Dr Ing. Ann Zammit
Other than the SEA-EU Research Seed Fund Award Ceremony, the occasion also marked the inauguration of the SEA-EU Virtual Learning Halls, a €30,000 investment allocated towards the upgrading of the virtual SEA-EU system being utilised to train and facilitate communication amongst many students and scholars across the European continent.
Speaking during the event, Prof. Godfrey Baldacchino, the UM coordinator for the SEA-EU Alliance, said “We are delighted to celebrate the launch of the SEA-EU-funded Virtual Learning Halls to facilitate on-line learning and teaching at UM. These make a fitting venue to announce and present the 6 Special Research Seed Fund awards that will engage UM scholars in joint research pursuits with like-minded colleagues from the other five partner universities of the SEA-EU Alliance.”
UM Rector Prof Alfred J. Vella said, “This kind of collaboration which is being seeded by the funds made available makes the SEA-EU project worthy of being called a success story. This group brings together academics to do what they do best, research. Together with academics, SEA-EU is improving and enhancing the quality of teaching and learning, and we look forward to future collaborations.”
More activities planned by the SEA-EU are in the pipeline, with the SEA-EU website containing the latest information.
