[MT]
St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation and University of Malta (UM) have set the path for a future of collaboration following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding.
'Through a culture of sharing and widening our horizons we can look at collaborations such as this, between the University of Malta and a world heritage site such as St John’s Co-Cathedral, as forward looking and a means to utilise expertise to enhance our knowledge about such monuments,' stated Minister for Justice, Culture and Local Government, Owen Bonnici. 'I look forward to learn and discover more through this partnership and at the same time I am sure that our students at University will appreciate this monument more when they are here. Our rich history and culture need to be embraced by the Maltese and Gozitans, so that each and every one of us becomes a stalwart for what our islands represent in the Mediterranean.'
Wilfrid Buttigieg, President of St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation, explained “this is a historic moment, which is paving the way to transform St John’s Co-Cathedral into a research hub for academics and students alike. The term historic is being used because only in time shall we appreciate the fruits of this new beginning.
As a Foundation we are duty bound by statute to publish and empower researchers and academics. This MOU aims to facilitate access for the University of Malta and its respective Faculties, Departments and Institutes to the entirety of the heritage comprised within the premises of St John’s Co-Cathedral and its Museum.
The aim is to create a mutually beneficial structure of collaboration which promotes the advancement and dissemination of knowledge, learning, teaching and research, as well as better results of conservation and restoration.
As a Foundation we believe that the University of Malta is a key institution. The Foundation acknowledges that the resources, specialisations and expertise available at University are more than what meets the eye and it would be a misfortune not to cultivate such a collaborative potential.
In a country so small like Malta, collaboration in key. Following the implementation of this model, we are looking forward to further collaboration with other entities such as MCAST, ITS, Heritage Malta and more specifically our neighbours MUZA a few doors up, with the aim of creating the best holistic cultural, academic and tourism product possible, always thanks to the support of the Minister for Culture the Hon. Owen Bonnici and his Grace the Archbishop of Malta.'
University of Malta Rector, Professor Alfred J. Vella, commented that such a collaborative effort with St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation will surely benefit scholarly research and further enhance knowledge of the unique historical and artistic gem that the Co-Cathedral represents. 'This Agreement provides the opportunity for UM scholars to experience such a magnificent context and develop their knowledge within a world class monument,' he said
Michael Pace Ross, representing the Diocese of Malta, commended the partnership between the State and the Church which is now also being extended towards the University of Malta. He believes that 'the Foundation is managing to find the right balance to cooperate with all those involved and to achieve results in doing so. The faith based tourism found in Malta could lead to further enhance the visitors’ stay on the island.'
The Press conference was concluded by Mr Buttigieg who introduced Dr Sebastiano D’Amico from the Department of Geosciences at Faculty of Science - UM, who has recently conducted GPR testing of the tombstones which produced truly intriguing results of what lies underneath some tombstones at St John’s Co-Cathedral.
photo credit: DOI - Jeremy Wannacott