Students participating in the Go4Research, together with Director of DLAP Mr Gaetano Bugeja, Assistant Director of DLAP Ms Desiree Scicluna Bugeja and Faculty of Science Dean Prof. Charles Sammut.
The Faculty of Science at the University of Malta in collaboration with the Directorate for Learning and Assessment Programmes (DLAP), recently launched the third edition of the GO4Research student internship programme.
A group of 75 students in their fifth year from different secondary schools, who participated in the Malta Junior Science Olympiad, attended the launch together with their guardians and educators. Nineteen students will have the opportunity to work with researchers in five different STEM fields namely, Plant ecology, Insect Studies and Beekeeping, Chemistry, Quantum Physics, Electromagnetics, Geosciences, Physical Oceanography, Statistics, and Operations and Marine Science (in collaboration with AquaBiotech).
Students were greeted by Minister Bartolo and Pro-Rector Prof. Saviour Zammit. The Hon. Evarist Bartolo’s introductory speech, stressed the importance of attracting more students of both genders to pursue careers in science, and to strengthen the already existing relationship between the Faculty of Science and the Directorate for Learning and Assessment. This was followed by a short speech by pro-rector Prof. Saviour Zammit who highlighted the strides that the University of Malta is making in using the awarded structural funds to improve the research infrastructure.
Researchers who will supervise the students’ internships delivered brief presentations that highlighted the research areas. The concluding addresses were delivered by Prof. Charles V. Sammut, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Mr Gaetano Bugeja, Director of Curriculum Management. The Dean stressed that research is not only fundamentally important but fun and that the Faculty of Science always welcomes and encourages educators and students who express their interest in learning about the faculty and its research and teaching programmes. Mr Gaetano Bugeja encouraged the students to harness the knowledge, skills and attitudes within the Faculty of Science and industry that the Go4Research student Internship programme will provide.
The GO4Research Awards Scheme for best Research Project Poster presentation, sponsored by the HSBC Malta Foundation was also launched.