Doors to University’s academic year open

The University's academic year kicked off this morning with a University Wind ensemble directed by Philip Ciantar, playing the famous number 'Papa Don't Preach', the rector's address, and a Freshers' Week.

The new academic year will see 3,305 new students, set to start 787 courses, 2394 of which will be taking up undergraduate courses and 911 reading for postgraduate degrees. A total of 594 international students from 78 different countries will also be attending University this year.

In his address to a packed hall of students and academics, University Rector Professor Juanito Camilleri said: "Your dream's come true today. But one must work hard because nothing comes for nothing," the rector said.

He emphasised on the the significance of having a dream that would turn one's vision to action towards achieving a better country and a better world while also inviting students to take their commitments seriously as from their very first day of University life.

"It was today's students who would continue to build on Malta's unique identity and good reputation which in turn would lead to a sound economic and social environment for us Maltese," Camilleri said.

Camilleri reminded students of the country's substantial investment in them, further stating that the university needed even larger and sustained financial capital investment because it was through research and innovation that would continue to enhance job creation, also in areas that were still being discovered.

The rector appealed to government, social partners, industry and all Maltese to invest much more in University, saying he believed that an excellent tertiary education, research and innovation were need to face global economic crises, and to preserve our country’s economy and sustainability.

Addressing international students, Camilleri said that the University could not aspire to achieve its goals without the international dimension these students brought. He referred to the growth the University was experiencing,  highlighting the new construction and development sites on campus. These included the IT Services Centre, the refurbishment of the library, the extensions of the Faculty of Economics, Management and Accountancy, Faculty of Laws, among others. He added that the Faculty for Social Wellbeing was being launched, following the recent setting up of the Faculties of ICT, Health Sciences, and Media and Knowledge Sciences.

The university also launched the School of Performing Arts with he European Documentation and Research Centre restructured as the Institute for European Studies.

Meanwhile, Kunsill Studenti Universitarji (KSU) president Mario Cachia said that the University “will be providing students with great prospects: “You are going to have the opportunity to excel in all that you do, the chance to be active and not passive, the opportunity to mature and grow into what you will eventually become”.

A number of stands have been set up as part of Freshers’ Week, including an AZAD, Socialists and Democrats, Malta Institute of Management (MIM) and Arriva stand. The students were welcomed with a ‘Welcome Freshers’ banner at the entrance to University.