It’s open week at the University of Malta

Visitors to the University of Malta Open Week are bound to find something of interest. The afternoons and evenings, in particular, as well as Saturday morning, will be featuring some unique activities intended to familiarise the public with life on campus.

Many may have visited the University campus at some time or another, but this is now an opportunity to explore some other area that one is unfamiliar with.

There will be Library Tours with a twist, whereby visitors can view areas usually restricted to staff. Here, one can learn the process a book goes through, from the moment it arrives by post to the time it becomes available for loan. Prominent Maltese authors, Charles Casha and Kenneth Caruana will speak about their professional experiences.

'Ancestral Voices: Writings from the Past' consists of a combination of presentations and exhibits pertaining to writings and writing systems from the past, with special reference to the Maltese Islands.  There will be presentations and/or exhibits on Phoenician/Punic, Greek, Latin, Hebrew, Arabic, and Maltese. 

Throughout the day, visitors will get the opportunity to see various inscribed artefacts as well as copies of ancient manuscripts, and to speak with various experts in these linguistic fields.  How do these different writing systems work?  And what is the history of these languages in the Maltese Islands? If any of these questions intrigue you, or if languages in general fascinate you, then this is an activity that you should not miss.

An Electronic Music Production Lecture by Detroit Legend, Mike Huckaby is being held on the 7^th November, while The Music Studies Division is holding a Franz Schubert Piano Quintet on the 9^th November.

The Centre for Environmental Education & Research will be leading public debates on environmental issues. Topics include 'Waste Management in the Maltese Islands:  Are we trashing our habits?' 'Trees and You: Malta Afforestation and Deforestation Projects', 'PaqPaq - The Daily Story of a Maltese Commuter' and 'Our Culture, Our Curse, Our Cause'.

The Faculty of ICT has also put up an exciting variety of activities including a tour of the new Faculty Building.

Dr Simon Busuttil and Professor Edward Scicluna will speak about 'The Small States of Europe: Political and Economic Aspects' The themes to be discussed include the voting power of these states in the EU decision-making process, the problems faced by these small states when having the presidency of the EU, their economic structures and the special economic constraints they face due to their small size, when compared to larger member states. Professor Lino Briguglio will chair the discussion.

The Department of Biology will be organising a series of eight one-hour evening lectures. Topics will include wildlife, conservation, pollution, aquaculture and ecology.

On Thursday evening, the Department of Physics is extending an invitation to its annual symposium, while the Department of Chemistry will be organising its annual symposium on Saturday 10 November. These symposia offer the opportunity to see what research work scientists are involved in. 

A highlight of the Open Week is the Medieval Meal on Saturday at 1300 hrs. This is organised by the University of Malta's Institute of Tourism, Travel and Culture.

The event aims to illustrate the kind of recipes that were popular in medieval times and to re-create a culinary experience of times past in a medieval environment. The details of the meal are based on research by Professor Carmel Cassar and will be as close as possible to the original.

'A Musical Journey' at Sir Temi Zammit Hall concludes this year's programme on Saturday evening with a 10 piece band under the musical direction of Mro. Sigmund Mifsud and a script by Coryse Borg. Entrance free of charge but places must be booked. For a full programme of around 200 events being held during the Open Week, please access: www.um.edu.mt/discoveruniversity