Twenty-three researchers at different stages of their doctoral journey presented their work to over 100 fellow researchers and academics gathered at the University’s Valletta Campus on Friday 28 February after being warmly welcomed by the Rector, Prof. Alfred J. Vella, and the Director of the Doctoral School, Prof. Nicholas Vella.
The keynote address was delivered via video link by Prof. Shosh Leshem from the Oranim Academic College of Education and Kibbutzim Academic College, Israel, on the notion of ‘doctorateness’. Prof. Leshem who has published extensively on doctoral education, described ‘doctorateness’ as those elements which constitute a doctoral degree and determine its quality, irrespective of discipline and institution awarding the Ph.D. A copy of Prof. Leshem’s presentation has been deposited in the UM’s Institutional Repository – OAR@UM.
The presentations were split into four parallel sessions chaired by Prof. Richard Muscat, Prof. Valerie Sollars, Prof. Godfrey Baldacchino and Prof. Maurice Apap respectively. Subject areas varied widely and included investigating or developing techniques and technology to improve procedures related to the fields of medicine, health sciences, ICT, engineering and aerospace technologies; new perspectives on antiquities and Baroque art; new insights into the reintroduction or reformation of particular principles or models in the areas of education, insurance and construction; offbeat perspectives on subsets of society; proposals to improve sustainable development; investigation of qualities, behaviour, and/or origin of certain produce and materials in the areas of earth systems and engineering; research into potential health hazards due to exposure and/or consumption of certain produce, materials and animal products; insight into experiences in relation to tools and automation; establishing a methodology that enables linguistic profiling; and research into linguistics strategies that convey certain ideologies and exploration of the ideologies themselves.
This was the second time that the Doctoral School has run its annual symposium. The event provides a platform for researchers to present their work to peers in a formal setting and receive feedback.
