The Research Support Services Directorate, in collaboration with the Office for Human Resources Management & Development, organised a day event addressed to laboratory staff members of the University of Malta. The aim of the event was to introduce the RSSD team and bring together a sector of employees who share a common agenda and aspiration to improve the laboratory environment.
The seminar was held on Friday 1 December at the Malta University Residence, Ħal Lija and attracted over 50 participants. The first half of the event took the form of a seminar addressed by the Pro-Rector of Research and Knowledge Transfer, Professor Saviour Zammit, the Director of Research Support Services Dr. Axel Stuewer and the RSSD lab team, Ms Rachel Camilleri, Ms Deborah Duca, Mr Pierre Micallef and Ms Carolina Sofia.
Mr Francis Micallef from Specto Ltd. was invited to give a few words on the upcoming Chemical Handling Course which will be organised during this year. Course details and application guidelines can be found on the following link. The attendees were briefed about the mission and role played by the team within the University and in relation to the laboratories. Details on the projects currently in progress were given, namely Quality Management of the labs, the on-going Waste Campaign 2017-2018, prospective training opportunities, the Asset Inventory Project, lab related funding opportunities to be applied for next year and various additional areas where RSSD may be of support.
The presentations were followed by a question and answer session during which attendees had the opportunity to ask any questions with regards to the projects mentioned or raise any on-going concerns related to the laboratory.
For the second half of the event Mr Patrick Psaila from PsyPotential Malta was engaged to organise a team building session based on group discussion and tasks. The focus of the activities was the importance of team work and key qualities that make a great team.
With the inception of the RSSD team, the University of Malta has identified the need to improve the quality and standard of its laboratories. While working closely with other administrative support services at the University of Malta, RSSD also works hand in hand with Technical staff and Research Support Officers to achieve the overarching target laid out by the University. In order to facilitate the achievement of this goal, good communication and empowerment of its employees is necessary.
Details on the next upcoming events and various projects organised by RSSD may be found on the RSSD website.
Research Support Services Directorate
Office for Human Resources Management & Development