The Department of Geosciences at the University of Malta has proudly marked its 10th anniversary, celebrating a decade of academic leadership, pioneering research and impactful collaborations.
The commemorative event, themed ‘A Decade of Progress and Collaborations with Xjenza Malta’, was held at the Esplora Planetarium Hall, in Kalkara’s Villa Bighi, in partnership and co-funding with Xjenza Malta.
Established to meet the growing need for scientific understanding of environmental systems, the Department has grown into a nationally and regionally-recognised centre of excellence. Its interdisciplinary focus spans operational oceanography, seismology and geophysics, marine geology, and atmospheric and climate studies. These are all fields that are increasingly relevant in the face of global climate change and environmental challenges.
The evening opened with remarks by Dr Tonio Portughese, Chairman of the Consultative Committee of Xjenza Malta, who described the past decade as more than just a milestone, but also a testament to a decade of vision, partnership, and purpose.
He highlighted how the University of Malta’s Department of Geosciences, with the help and support of Xjenza Malta, has emerged as a vital contributor to the understanding of the Earth systems that sustain us. He was joined in the welcome by Prof. Alfred Vella, Rector of the University of Malta.
A keynote address was delivered by Dr Tony Stabile of Italy’s Consiglio Nazionale delleRicerche (CNR), underscoring the Department’s expanding international collaborations. Concluding remarks were shared by the Head of the Department, Prof. Sebastiano D’Amico, and Prof. Emmanuel Sinagra, Dean of the Faculty of Science.
The Department of Geosciences has significantly contributed to monitoring and researching the island’s terrestrial, marine and atmospheric environments, placing local expertise within a broader Mediterranean and global context.
Its active research groups and state-of-the-art facilities support thriving undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and a growing portfolio of EU and international projects.
With strong foundations and growing momentum, the Department of Geosciences looks ahead to a future of continued impact, discovery and collaboration.
“Our mission has always been to enhance the scientific foundation upon which sustainable development and environmental resilience are built. This anniversary is both a reflection of our achievements and a springboard toward even greater contributions to society and the scientific community,” said Prof. D’Amico.
