On 12 December 2019, the Faculty of Laws, University of Malta, commemorated its Foundation Day at the Lecture Theatre 2, University of Malta Msida Campus. Dr Ivan Mifsud, Dean of the Faculty of Laws, introduced the commemoration and Pro-Rector Professor Godfrey Baldacchino delivered an address on behalf of the University Rectorate.
Faculty Foundation Day was held under the patronage of the Department of Legal History and Methodology.
During Faculty Foundation Day a number of student awards were distributed together with the Academic Excellence Award.
The Winner for the Best Student in the LL.B. Hons 1st Year Award was Ms Denise Xerri and the award was conferred by Dr Ivan Mifsud, Dean of the Faculty of Laws, University of Malta.
The GM Corporate & Fiduciary Services Limited Prize for Best Dissertation in Financial Services Law was conferred by Dr Joe Bugeja to Ms Jessica Borg for the Dissertation entitled: ‘The Use of Distributed Ledger Technology and Smart Contracts in the Financial Services Industry: Legal Implications and Possible Applications’.
The Best Consumer Law Dissertation Prize awarded by the Department of Commercial Law, Faculty of Laws, was conferred by Dr David Fabri, Head of Department of Commercial Law, Faculty of Laws, to Mr Silvio Vella for the Dissertation entitled: ‘Is the Virtual Financial Assets Act satisfactory in Creating a Regulatory Framework for Initial Virtual Financial Asset Offerings and in providing protection for Investors?’
The Best Student in ECL 2001 European Comparative Law Award was conferred by Dr Ivan Sammut, Deputy Dean and Head of Department of European and Comparative Law, Faculty of Laws, University of Malta, to Mr Sean George Cutajar for the highest mark achieved in study-unit ECL2001 European Comparative Law.
The Malta Maritime Forum Annual Award for the best Dissertation on a shipping/maritime law-related subject was conferred by Captain Jesmond Mifsud to Mr Daniel Vella for his dissertation entitled ‘The Role of Non-Governmental Organisations in Search and Rescue Operations at Sea within the Mediterranean’.
The Winner of the Faculty of Laws Academic Excellence Award was conferred by Professor David Attard, Chancellor of University of Malta, to President Emeritus Dr Ugo Mifsud Bonnici.
Professor Raymond Mangion, Head of Department of Legal History and Methodology, Faculty of Laws delivered an oration on the contribution to academia made by President Emeritus Dr Ugo Mifsud Bonnici. President Emeritus Dr Ugo Mifsud Bonnici delivered a short speech following receipt of the award and Professor David Attard, Chancellor of University of Malta, thanked President Emeritus Mifsud Bonnici for his contribution to the Faculty of Laws’ teaching, research and publications and to the country through the various public offices he served in during his distinguished career.
The commemoration consisted also in three musical interludes where the songs ‘Non ti Scordar di Me’, ‘Climb every mountain’ and ‘Soldato Innamorato’ were sung by Ms Joan Mangion while Ms Romina Morrow played the piano.
The Ceremony was concluded by Prof. Kevin Aquilina, Head of Department of Media, Communication and Technology Law, Faculty of Laws who presented the commemoration and congratulated both the academic and all the students recipients of an award, and the Chancellor, Pro-Chancellor and Dean for having addressed the convocation. He continued with his thanks towards the sponsors for their generous contribution, the Jury Panels for the selection of the winners as well as, the Faculty Heads of Department who presented the awards and provided book tokens. Prof. Aquilina also expressed his gratitude towards the Faculty of Laws Faculty Office Staff who organised the commemoration and all the persons who attended the commemoration.