Photos: Prof. Colin Calleja and Prof dr hab. Lipok, Rector of Opole University at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding; Prof. Przemys艂aw Kaniok, University of Opole and Prof. Colin Calleja, Dr Josephine Deguara and Dr Jonathan Borg served as keynote speakers during the seminar.
On 22 May 2025, the University of Malta (UM), through its International Office and Faculty of Education (FoE), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Opole in Poland. This agreement aims to promote academic collaboration through staff exchanges and joint research initiatives between the two institutions.
To mark the occasion, Professor Przemys艂aw Kaniok from the University of Opole organised a scientific seminar titled "The 1st Polish-Maltese Scientific Seminar: Inclusive Education in Poland and Malta: In Search of Equity, Diversity, and Quality Education. Good Practices". The seminar was held under the honorary patronage of Dr Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, the President of Opole, the Marshall of Opole, and of the School Superintendent Office.
Three academics from UM鈥檚 Faculty of Education were invited as keynote speakers. Prof. Colin Calleja delivered a presentation entitled "From Knowing to Growing: Building Intentional Learners in Our Schools". Dr Josephine Deguara鈥檚 keynote focused on "Experiencing Curriculum Reform in the Early Years in Malta: Changes in Educators' Perspectives of Children in Pedagogical Decision-Making: An Inclusive Education Lense", while Dr Jonathan Borg spoke on "Sexual and Gender Diversity in Education".
The event also served as a platform for meetings with members of the Department of Special Education within the Institute of Pedagogical Sciences, and visits to Publiczna Szkola Podstawowa No. 11 im Orlat Lwowskich and the Municipal Education Support Centre in Opole (Miejskie Centrum Wspomagania Edukacji w Opolu) paving the way for further collaboration and academic staff exchange programmes.
