For many, Maja Theuma is best known as a Paralympian, one of the two parathletes that have proudly flown the Maltese flag at the Paris 2024 Games.

However, beyond her achievements in the swimming world, she holds many titles - daughter, friend, colleague - and now, as she prepares to graduate this March, she adds another to the list: Master’s graduate. Maja is among the 1,534 students set to grace the historic city of Valletta, earning a Master of Science in Strategic Management and Digital Marketing. 

Maja’s journey in competitive swimming has been inspiring. She represented Malta at the European Championships in Madeira, where she reached the final in the S6 50m Freestyle. Not one to slow down, she finished the Citi Para Swimming World Series on a high note, setting a new national record in the 400m Freestyle. Her hard work and determination led to her participation at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, where she competed in the S6 50m Freestyle race. 

Beyond her athletic achievements, Maja’s academic journey is just as impressive. Pursuing a Masters Degree while keeping up with an intense training schedule requires discipline, time management, and strong will. She has managed to balance her studies with training and competition, showing that limits exist only to be challenged.

Maja’s story is one of perseverance and passion. Her ability to push through difficulties and stay committed is a source of inspiration for students, athletes, and anyone working toward their goals. But what shaped this remarkable drive? From a young age, Maja dreamed big. She would often play shops and say that when she grew up, she would open a well-known cafeteria franchise in Malta, where her love for entrepreneurship first took root. 

As she got older, she discovered a passion for design but wasn’t sure how to express it. Excelling in Maths and Physics initially led her to pursue a career in architecture, but it was when she started studying marketing in sixth form that everything clicked. Maja claims that marketing for her is the perfect blend of entrepreneurship and design, allowing her to combine strategic thinking with creativity. Her journey in academics has also been significant, building on her previous studies before advancing to her Master’s.

Dr Daniela Castillo, Lecturer at the Department of Marketing at the University of Malta, supervised Maja during the past academic year. “It has been an absolute pleasure to supervise Maja throughout her MSc dissertation. Her ability to excel in both academia and elite-level sports is truly remarkable. Balancing the rigorous demands of Paralympic training with an MSc dissertation is no small feat, yet Maja approached both with the same level of resilience, focus and dedication. Not only did she engage with an innovative research topic, exploring customer engagement with digital advertising through biometric data, but she also demonstrated a strong commitment to academic excellence despite her demanding schedule. Her journey is a testament to perseverance, adaptability and the power of determination and I have no doubt that she will continue to inspire others”, said Dr Castillo.

Prof. Joseph N Grima, President of the Malta Paralympic Committee, also said that "Maja is a remarkable person, an inspiration to our nation with her true desire to excel in everything she does. She has shown that, with lots of hard work and proper time management, it is possible to embark on a dual career and shine both as a high-level athlete and in academia. Well done Maja and keep going. Malta needs strong and intelligent people like you." 

To see her journey firsthand, watch the video we’ve prepared—a celebration of her hard work, challenges, and the determination that makes Maja stand out.