Rector's Speech [PDF]
New students, new courses and total number of students [PDF]
Accepted applicant statistics by Faculty/Course and Route [PDF]
The Procession of Academics to Sir Temi Zammit Hall marked the opening of the new academic year at the University of Malta, this morning. Rector, Professor Alfred. J. Vella, and KSU President, Steph Dalli, both addressing their audience for the first time in their new role, welcomed the Freshers to Academic Year 2016-2017.
New students, new courses and total number of students [PDF]
Accepted applicant statistics by Faculty/Course and Route [PDF]
The Procession of Academics to Sir Temi Zammit Hall marked the opening of the new academic year at the University of Malta, this morning. Rector, Professor Alfred. J. Vella, and KSU President, Steph Dalli, both addressing their audience for the first time in their new role, welcomed the Freshers to Academic Year 2016-2017.
The University Wind Ensemble directed by Dr Philip Ciantar provided musical interludes.
Prof. Vella introduced his team of Pro-Rectors to the new students, namely: Prof. Joseph Cacciottolo (Academic Affairs); Dr Carmen Sammut (Student and Staff Affairs and Outreach); Prof. Saviour Zammit (Research and Knowledge Transfer); Prof. Tanya Sammut Bonnici (Strategy and Enterprise) and Prof. Godfrey Baldacchino (International Development).
Rector started his address by emphasizing his view that the period spent at University ought to be seen as quality time, helping the student grow on a personal level, as a scholar and as a fulfilled person.
Referring to the theme for this year 'Reading for your degree; reading for life', Prof. Vella said 'the campus should be a place, among other places, where intelligent and incisive articulation can be practised until it becomes habitual and part of the norm for the university-educated,' adding that to this end he would be promoting a culture of formal and proper debate, encouraging a debating society on campus.
Prof. Vella quoted a recent paper in Academe (Sullivan, P., vol. 102(3), May/June 2016), saying that teachers may have helped kill the love of reading in students by delivering education as a means of passing tests and exams rather than an enriching and fulfilling undertaking intended to build a person up into an informed and empowered individual, armed with skills and competences to serve one throughout one鈥檚 career. To be successful, Prof. Vella said, it was important for the learner to become an engaged and lifelong reader, not just out of necessity but also because reading was part of the pursuit of pleasure.
Rector reiterated that research revealed that the more we read, the more neuroplastic our brains become thus promoting increased cognitive processes. He said that research showed that intelligence and IQ could be strengthened through effort and activity, including through reading that is time-demanding and analytical, as well as reading for pleasure.
Referring also to the importance of good writing skills and the proficient use of the English language鈥攖he universal language of scholarship鈥擱ector said that the University would be putting in place a scheme providing additional expert assistance to the undergraduates who needed it.
Rector concluded his address by wishing Freshers a fruitful year at University and hoping that their education would help them realise their life鈥檚 aspirations.
The Inauguration Mass held at 12:30 in the University Chapel was presided by HG Mgr. Charles J. Scicluna, Archbishop of Malta.
The Inauguration Mass held at 12:30 in the University Chapel was presided by HG Mgr. Charles J. Scicluna, Archbishop of Malta.
