Award ceremony of the IOI Elisabeth Mann Borgese Bursary, 2026

Photo on the left: Ms Antonia Scicluna
Second photo from left to right: Prof. Joseph M Cacciottolo, Ms Antonella Vassallo, Ms Sasha Farrugia Cini, Dr Awni Behnam, Prof. Ritienne Gauci


The Elisabeth Mann Borgese[i] (EMB) Bursary of the International Ocean Institute (IOI) was established as a means of demonstrating recognition to the host country of the IOI – Malta – for hosting the IOI Headquarters and for providing facilities for staff and offices at the University of Malta’s Msida Campus. The Bursary is financed through the IOI and constitutes a further recognition and acknowledgement of the role of Prof. E. Mann Borgese, founder of IOI, and of her considerable achievements.

The 2026 EMB Bursary has been awarded to Ms Sasha Farrugia Cini to develop a locally adapted Coastal Vulnerability Index for the southeastern coastline of Malta, extending from the Delimara peninsula to the site of the former Jerma Palace Hotel in Marsascala. The research forms part of a Master of Arts in Geography with the Faculty of Arts at the University of Malta, under the supervision of Prof. Ritienne Gauci and co-supervisor Prof. Adam Gauci. The study will use GIS-based spatial analysis to assess coastal vulnerability and identify cultural and natural heritage sites situated within high-vulnerability zones, supporting their monitoring and protection. The EMB Bursary funds will enhance the research by supporting attendance at the General Assembly of the European Geosciences Union to present the research framework and preliminary results, as well as the purchase of equipment for research data storage and processing.

The 2025 EMB Bursary was awarded to Ms Antonia Scicluna to investigate the artisanal fishery targeting Portunus segnis (Blue Swimmer Crab) and other alien crustaceans in Maltese waters, forming part of a Master of Science in Biology [Mainly by Research] with the Faculty of Science at the University of Malta. The study explored the relationship between these alien crustaceans and artisanal fishers, focusing particularly on the interaction of P. segnis with trammel nets and whether entangled blue crabs deter other potential catch species. The EMB Bursary funds were allocated to enhance the research through the purchase of specialised samples and equipment.

The award ceremony for this year’s EMB Bursary was held on 6 October at IOI HQ. Present at the Ceremony were Pro-Rector Prof. Joseph Cacciottolo, Ms Antonella Vassallo (IOI Managing Director), Dr Awni Behnam (IOI Honorary President),  Ms Sasha Farrugia Cini (EMB2026/7 awardee) and Prof. Ritienne Gauci (Supervisor). Ms Antonia Scicluna, the 2025–2026 awardee, contributed a recorded video message.

For further information about the IOI and its programmes please contact by email or view the IOI HQ website.

[i] Elisabeth Mann Borgese (24 April 1918 – 8 February 2002) founded the IOI in 1972 as a knowledge-based non-governmental, non-profit international organisation devoted to the sustainable development of the Ocean. IOI works to uphold and expand the principles enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea for the benefit of humankind as a whole, with particular consideration of the poor.  The mission of the International Ocean Institute is to promote education, training and research to enhance the peaceful uses of ocean space and its resources, their management and regulation as well as the protection and conservation of the marine environment, guided by the principle of the Common Heritage of Mankind.

Malta is the host country of the International Ocean Institute Headquarters. As an island state straddling the centre of the Mediterranean Sea, it has a long history of dependence on the sea as well as a strong tradition of maritime, fishing and seafaring occupations. Its membership of the European Union confers on it an obligation to adhere to the European maritime and fishing policies as well as conventions and regulations which are global in scope.