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UM represented at 2nd European Youth Congress in Poland

The University of Malta was represented at the , held in and , Poland, through the participation of Prof. Nathaniel Massa from the Department of Business and Enterprise Management within Faculty of Economics, Management and Accountancy (FEMA), accompanied by three undergraduate students from the Faculty. Organised by the City of µþ¾±±ð±ô²õ°ì´Ç-µþ¾±²¹Å‚²¹, and drawing on its partner organisations and wider international network, the Congress took place from 23 to 27 March 2026 and brought together more than 300 young participants from across Europe, expert faculty, industry stakeholders and policymakers for a multi-day programme of plenary sessions, workshops and intercultural activities.

The visit builds on FEMA’s growing collaboration with µþ¾±±ð±ô²õ°ì´Ç-µþ¾±²¹Å‚²¹ and the wider region, including the recent MOU signed with the City of µþ¾±±ð±ô²õ°ì´Ç-µþ¾±²¹Å‚²¹, as well as earlier agreements with universities in the region.

Prof. Massa attended the Congress as a guest professor, and the three FEMA students were invited and generously supported by the City of µþ¾±±ð±ô²õ°ì´Ç-µþ¾±²¹Å‚²¹. This enabled the students to engage fully in an enriching international experience alongside peers from Poland, Germany, Slovakia and Hungary.

At the official opening of the Congress at the University of µþ¾±±ð±ô²õ°ì´Ç-µþ¾±²¹Å‚²¹, Prof. Massa delivered an opening address to dignitaries, faculty members and young participants on the theme, ‘International cooperation as one of the most important competencies of the modern person’. He reflected on the growing importance of international engagement, dialogue and cooperation in an increasingly interconnected yet uncertain world.

Prof. Massa also participated as an invited panellist in two plenary discussions during the Congress. At the University of µþ¾±±ð±ô²õ°ì´Ç-µþ¾±²¹Å‚²¹, he contributed to the panel on “Labour Market Challenges, Young People’s Expectations and Education”. On the following day, at the University of Economics in Katowice, he participated in the panel “Learn for Life: Sustainable Education in a Changing World”, alongside fellow panellists from academia and senior management in industry.

Discussion focused on the growing importance of future-oriented competences in the context of AI and automation, with emphasis on flexibility, readiness to retrain, and the continuous upgrading of knowledge and qualifications. Particular attention was also given to closer cooperation between universities and the business sector, so that education becomes more practical and better aligned with the realities of the labour market. The panel further stressed the importance of lifelong learning and of ensuring that schools and universities work more closely with business so that education remains responsive to rapidly evolving realities.

FEMA students accompanying Prof. Massa also contributed actively to the Congress. Karl Ciantar, a third-year BSc Business & IT student, together with Elaina Bugeja, a first-year B.Com student majoring in Business & Enterprise Management and Marketing, and Amy Diya Bharwani Scicluna, a first-year BCom student majoring in Accountancy and Banking & Finance, participated in the panel discussion at the University of µþ¾±±ð±ô²õ°ì´Ç-µþ¾±²¹Å‚²¹, as well as in a number of workshops and design thinking sessions alongside fellow students from several European countries.

The students engaged enthusiastically throughout the Congress, contributing to discussions and gaining valuable exposure to international perspectives on education, employability and the future of work. Their participation offered a meaningful opportunity not only to deepen their knowledge, but also to contribute insights on formal and non-formal education that may inform policy, while strengthening soft skills, intercultural awareness, confidence in dialogue, and lasting international friendships and associations.

Participation in the Congress reflected the value FEMA places on meaningful international academic cooperation and student engagement beyond the classroom. It also underlined the Faculty’s commitment to international collaboration and to creating opportunities through which students and staff can participate in international dialogue, strengthen partnerships, and contribute to important conversations on the future of enterprise, applied education, work and society.

FEMA commends the forward-looking initiatives undertaken by the City of µþ¾±±ð±ô²õ°ì´Ç-µþ¾±²¹Å‚²¹, as well as those of the partner universities involved, auguring well for the exploration of further collaborative opportunities.