09:10 - 10:10 | Aula Magna (Level 1)
Chair: Prof. In摹. Simon G. Fabri
Prof. Margaret Mangion
The Edward de Bono Institute for Creative Thinking and Innovation
In 2022, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) introduced a battery focused on creative thinking in its Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), known as the PISA CT. This inclusion was timely, considering that the World Economic Forum (WEF) identifies creative thinking as one of the top five skills required to navigate the complexities of work. Against this backdrop, Malta’s results offer a compelling case for critical analysis. Maltese 15-year-olds scored below the OECD average in creative thinking, with only 73% reaching baseline proficiency compared to 78% internationally. More strikingly, Maltese heads of schools reported markedly lower beliefs in the value of creativity than their international counterparts. This discrepancy signals a leadership challenge at the heart of the system: while creativity is globally championed as foundational to education in volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) environments, national leadership cultures may be insufficiently aligned with such imperatives.
This paper explores the implications of these findings for educational leadership in Malta, situating them within the broader international debates on creativity, agency, and educational transformation. Drawing on OECD reports, local studies, and emerging scholarship on creativity in education, this work examines how leaders’ undervaluation of creativity risks limiting schools’ ability to nurture proactive, creative, and resilient learners.
The paper positions the re-conceptualisation of leadership beliefs about creativity as a systemic necessity rather than a peripheral concern.
Prof. In摹. Charles Yousif
Institute for Sustainable Energy
Europe’s tourism sector is increasingly challenged by climate change, rising energy costs, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and recent geopolitical crises. The Interreg Europe DETOCS project unites diverse European regions to address these challenges and accelerate the transition towards low-carbon tourism by improving the energy performance of touristic buildings, increasing the uptake of renewable energy, and reinforcing regional policy frameworks.
The project’s methodology considers existing tourism policy strategies and research and analyses the broad experiences of diverse stakeholders using analytical tools such as SWOT analysis and the Eisenhower Matrix. Over 90 identified aspects spanning across the Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental, and Legal (PESTEL) dimensions have been analysed to identify and prioritise immediate key policy improvements, alongside medium- and long-term measures, making use of appropriate soft and fiscal support mechanisms.
A notable finding was that Malta faces challenges similar to those experienced in other European regions working towards tourism decarbonisation. Drawing on good-practice examples identified in Slovenia and the Netherlands, several priority actions have been proposed: establishing a structured online system to publicise funding opportunities and encourage SME participation; sharing project best practices to motivate stronger decarbonisation efforts; and developing ESG-aligned guidelines to enhance energy and water efficiency in tourism establishments.
In collaboration with Maltese partners (UM and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Tourism), DETOCS highlights how coordinated regional action can strengthen resilience, competitiveness, and environmental responsibility within Europe’s tourism sector while supporting the broader EU decarbonisation goals.
Dr Véronique Vella
Department of Music Studies, School of Performing Arts
For centuries, the Maltese musical landscape was defined by a documented silence regarding female authorship. This research explores the evolution of Maltese female composers, tracing their trajectory from the ‘invisible’ sacred music of convents and 19th-century domestic settings to a vibrant, multi-genre contemporary scene. Historically, institutional barriers – specifically the male-exclusive patronage of the Catholic Church and village Band Clubs – relegated women to the role of ‘performer’ rather than ‘creator.’ Composition was long perceived as a rigorous intellectual pursuit reserved for men, while musical execution served merely as a social grace for women.
This study maps the significant resurgence of female compositional voices since the late 1990s, catalysed by academic milestones such as the attainment of the first doctoral degree in composition by a Maltese woman in 2008. It argues that the current scene is defined by a radical departure from classical constraints, encompassing a diverse spectrum including electronic, jazz, indie-folk and alternative rock. By employing a qualitative methodological framework of semi-structured interviews with both established trailblazers and emerging voices, the research investigates why gender disparity persists locally. Key factors examined include a historical lack of role models, limited access to formal networks, and the ‘double burden’ of societal expectations. Finally, the paper evaluates how emerging collaborative platforms and digital visibility function as vital catalysts for change. By documenting these ‘unheard’ voices, this work contributes to a more inclusive historiography of Maltese music, challenging the structures that once confined women’s creativity to the private sphere.
Prof. Josanne Vassallo
Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery
Early-onset non-autoimmune diabetes mellitus (EONADM) presents diagnostic challenges due to phenotypic overlap between monogenic (MODY) and polygenic (type 2) forms, compounded in populations like Malta with high obesity and type 2 diabetes prevalence. This retrospective study aimed to define the genetic landscape of monogenic diabetes in Malta and evaluate the clinical utility of the MODY Probability Calculator (MPC) in this population. Whole exome sequencing was performed on a cohort of 205 Maltese individuals diagnosed with EONADM before age 35, with analysis restricted to a ten-gene panel (GCK, HNF1A, HNF4A, HNF1B, INS, ABCC8, KCNJ11, NEUROD1, PDX1, CEL) curated by the ClinGen Monogenic Diabetes Expert Panel. Pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) variants were identified and classified using ACMG/AMP guidelines. The discriminative performance of the MPC was assessed via receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.
Genetic testing identified 19 MODY-positive individuals (9.3%), harbouring 15 unique P/LP variants across eight genes. Variants were most frequent in GCK (47%) and HNF1A (16%). Five variants were novel, and two unrelated probands carried a novel CEL frameshift variant (p.Ala318LeufsTer16), suggesting a potential founder effect. ROC analysis revealed that the MPC, while the best-performing clinical variable, showed only moderate discriminative ability (AUC=0.692, 95% CI: 0.579–0.805). The optimal MPC cut-off for this cohort was 62.4%, higher than the originally proposed threshold, yielding a positive predictive value of 0.193 and a negative predictive value of 0.946.
These findings delineate the spectrum of monogenic diabetes in Malta, highlighting a significant proportion of novel and population-specific variants. The suboptimal performance of the MPC underscores the limitations of current clinical prediction tools in genetically distinct populations and emphasises the necessity of comprehensive genetic testing for accurate diagnosis and personalised management of atypical diabetes.
Prof. Ruben Paul Borg
Department of Construction and Property Management, Faculty for the Built Environment
Concrete has developed as the most widely used construction material globally. The production of cement accounts for approximately 8% of global CO鈧� emissions. The construction industry contributes substantially to global waste generation, with construction and demolition (C&D) waste primarily consisting of concrete. These impacts reinforce the need for more durable, recyclable, and low-carbon concrete solutions. The presentation reviews emerging science and engineering practices, along with policy frameworks shaping the transition toward low-carbon concrete. By drawing on current research and real-world applications, the presentation outlines strategies for reducing embodied carbon across the concrete life cycle, including substituting cement clinker with supplementary cementitious materials derived from industrial by-products, alkali-activated and geopolymer binders, carbon sequestration, and performance-based design. Advances in low-carbon Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) formulations and application-driven optimisation demonstrate its potential to significantly reduce emissions. Its exceptional mechanical properties and ultra-low permeability enable improved life-cycle performance, longer service life, optimised sections, and reduced maintenance requirements, yielding substantial carbon savings over a structure’s lifetime. In coastal and marine environments, UHPC’s durability and resistance to chloride ingress offer a solution for more durable, sustainable infrastructure. The presentation shall draw on case study applications developed through the ReSHEALience HORIZON 2020 and the SINCERE HORIZON Europe Pilot Projects, while highlighting the challenges facing large-scale adoption. By addressing material innovation within the broader context of climate targets and sustainable infrastructure, the presentation aims to provide an understanding of both the opportunities and constraints in decarbonising concrete: one of the world’s most essential building materials.
Dr Charmaine Bonello | Co-researchers: Ms Natalie Lombardi Calleja
Department of Early Childhood and Primary Education, Faculty of Education
This study examines how early childhood educators in Malta perceive and integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into their daily practice, focusing on inclusive approaches, and benefits and challenges associated with AI integration in the early years setting. AI's increasing use in education raises questions about its impact on pedagogy and accessibility for diverse learners. Early childhood educators are significant in shaping foundational learning experiences, and their perspectives on AI applications are crucial in comprehending its potential and limitations. This study adopts elements from the Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework (Mishra & Koehler, 2006) to explore how early years educators are bridging the relationships among pedagogy, curriculum, and AI in their classroom practice. Using semi-structured interviews, this qualitative study investigates early childhood educators’ perceptions and application of AI and explores whether they feel prepared to leverage AI to support equity and inclusion while enabling child-centred practices. Key findings reveal that while educators acknowledge AI’s potential to aid their preparation, enhance children’s learning, and offer opportunities to support children with diverse needs, significant challenges persist. These include internet filter restrictions at school and the need for more informative sessions on integrating AI effectively in the early years. As such, this study concludes with recommendations to maximise the potential of AI integration in the early years for child-centred practices and inclusion.