Feb 02 - Minister For Education Attends Meetings In London And Malta On The Gibraltar University
The Minister for Education, Gilbert Licudi, returned last week from a visit to Malta where he held a series of meetings in connection with the University of Gibraltar. Mr Licudi discussed with Professor Juanito Camilleri, the Rector of the University of Malta, various areas of collaboration between the two universities including in the area of Mediterranean Studies in which the University of Malta already has a very successful programme.
Mr Licudi also met Charles Theuma, the Principal of St Martin’s Institute of Higher Education. St Martin’s has a long relationship with the University of London and offers a number of courses as part of the University of London’s International Programme. This was particularly useful given the existing plans by the University of Gibraltar to also offer University of London programmes.
As part of a packed itinerary, Mr Licudi met with the Superintendent of Cultural Heritage for Malta, Dr Anthony Pace, and with representatives of the Federation of English Language Teaching Schools of Malta. Dr Darren Fa, the University of Gibraltar’s Director of Academic Programmes and Research, also met with Timmy Gambin, Professor of Marine Archeology at the University of Malta.
During his trip to Malta, Mr Licudi paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Education, Evariste Bartolo.
Before travelling to Malta, Mr Licudi, accompanied by Ernest Gomez, Chief Secretary, and Joey Britto, the Director of Education, attended the Education World Forum in London. The Forum brings together Education Ministers from all over the world to discuss trends in education and to forge links between different jurisdictions on educational matters. The Gibraltar delegation also attended the BETT (British Educational Training and Technology) exhibition and held a number of meetings on the University of Gibraltar, including a meeting with Professor Julius Weinberg, the Vice-Chancellor of Kingston University, to consolidate existing ties with Gibraltar and explore further potential collaborative frameworks between Kingston University and the University of Gibraltar.
Mr Licudi said:
“All the meetings held in London and in Malta have been part of the preparation necessary for the opening of the University of Gibraltar and for the future development of the University. The meetings have allowed an exchange of views as well as the development of valuable links with those already engaged in Higher Education. We have been provided not just with useful and encouraging advice based on experience but also with a willingness to assist us in any way and to collaborate with the University of Gibraltar on joint projects. The more we discuss our plans with others, the more exciting the University project becomes.”
In the meantime, work has started to transform the site at Europa Point where the University of Gibraltar will be housed. The architectural design includes a large atrium which will be the focal feature of the University. The atrium will link and enhance existing historic buildings using a glass structure.
As already announced, the University of Gibraltar will open for business in September of this year.
