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On the 27 February 2023, the University of Malta together with Aġenzija Sapport joined forces through a collaborative agreement between the two sides which will see them working closer to tackle a number of social issues present.

This signing seeks to foster a working collaboration between the two entities to provide ample dialogue in the social work and social policy services pertaining to disability. Moreover, the agreement will allow internship placements with Aġenzija Sapport which will be given to student coming from the Faculty for Social Wellbeing. Other than that, further promotional initiatives as well as training will be given to employees, social workers and social policy officers as part of the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programmes. Furthermore, this agreement will push for further empirical research in exploring the lives of the vulnerable and socially excluded people, academic programmes and evidence-based policy making.

Present for the event were the University Rector, Prof. Alfred J. Vella, the Dean of the Faculty for Social Wellbeing, Prof. Andrew Azzopardi accompanied by Head of Department of Disability Studies, Dr Maria Victoria Gauci. In addition to those present were CEO of Aġenzija Sapport, Mr Oliver Scicluna, the Minister for Inclusion, Voluntary Organisations and Consumer Rights, Hon. Julia Farrugia Portelli together with the Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation Hon. Clifton Grima.

“The University is always happy to engage in such initiatives in which all members of society feel welcome and equal. This will be further reinforced through this collaborative agreement which will hopefully see more opportunities develop through the various programmes in conjunction with Aġenzija Sapport. We look forward to further strengthening our ties in upcoming initiatives.”, shared the University Rector, Prof. Alfred J. Vella.

Expressing his comments to Newspoint, Prof. Andrew Azzopardi said: “Aġenzija Sapport is at the forefront of providing services for persons with disability and their family. What I find intriguing in their job is that they value inclusion and community development, two issues that we as a Faculty share as well. We hope that this agreement will keep building on the relationship we have established over the years and through our evidence-based data we can provide some solutions to a very complex field.”

Oliver Scicluna, Chief Executive Office of Aġenzija Sapport, thanked the University Rector, Prof. Alfred J. Vella, and Prof. Azzopardi, Faculty Dean, for renewing their collaboration with Aġenzija Sapport and for wholly believing in the development and sustainability of the disability sector. “Thanks to this collaboration, Aġenzija Sapport is continuously benefiting from scientific studies that give a clearer picture and local data that the Agency utilises for the development of services and programmes for the benefit of persons with disability.” He continued that, “This agreement is also important as it offers students following courses within this Faculty the opportunity to implement their placements within the Agency and thus experiencing first hand the disability sector during the course of their studies in preparation for when they get to choose their career path.”