The University will, through its Faculty for Social Wellbeing, be developing and conducting a training program for personnel of the Armed Forces of Malta.
This program will serve to train AFM members on migration issues which could potentially lead to racism or radicalisation, both in a formal setting and through a number of informal talks.
This has been announced by the Dean of the Faculty for Social Wellbeing at the signing of a collaboration agreement between the University and AFM which took place on Thursday, 4 March 2021.
Prof. Andrew Azzopardi, Dean of the Faculty for Social Wellbeing, said this agreement is a clear sign of the University fostering a closer working relationship with our country’s military personnel, the growth of which is in our collective interest. Furthermore, the nature of this training will provide an opportunity for Malta, which is a receiving community for migrants, to advance its understanding of migration issues and encourage social and economic development through this.
He also expressed thanks to his dedicated members of staff and academia without whom this program of training will not be able to materialise.
This is not the first time the two entities have collaborated. Another half day seminar was organised for Air Wing and Maritime Squadron in previous months.
Colonel Mark Mallia, Deputy Commander to the Armed Forces of Malta, said this training will enable soldiers to look critically at any migration-related issues faced in the day-to-day job, making them better equipped for frontline duty.
“AFM is committed to further enhance their knowledge on migration-related issues, and this training will help us to better meet the operational day-to-day challenges, and work towards effective respect of migrants”, he continued.
Prof. Alfred J. Vella, University of Malta Rector, vowed the University’s continued support to the AFM through its expertise, its resources, as well as its very capable personnel. He concluded by saluting their valuable work and thanking AFM for safeguarding national sovereignty.
Brigadier Jeffrey Curmi, whilst thanking the University of Malta, particularly the Faculty of Social Wellbeing, expressed his satisfaction at reaching such an agreement which will undoubtedly serve the AFM members to better understand the challenges they regularly face.
The is Malta’s military organisation tasked with primary defence functions and safeguarding national interest in peacetime and crisis. Malta’s military instrument is a major component of the Maltese Island’s national defence and security architecture.
