Aug 02 - University Of Gibraltar Announces Associate Campuses And Research Institutes

As part of its ambition to become an internationally recognised centre of research excellence, the University of Gibraltar is pleased to announce the extension of its academic facilities to include a number of Associate Campuses and the creation of two new and dynamic Research Institutes.

In line with University’s mission of diversification and inclusion, the University of Gibraltar has signed MoUs with several local institutions that are to act as Associate Campuses of the University.

These are, in alphabetical order:

1. HM GoG’s Department for the Environment and Climate Change;

2. The Garrison Library;

3. The Gibraltar Botanic Gardens, the Alameda;

4. The Gibraltar Health Authority’s School of Health Studies;

5. The Gibraltar Museum.

The Associate Campuses will value-add to the University’s offering by providing academic support and additional research and study facilities for both experienced academics and student researchers, including access to their collections. Further agreements are currently under consideration with other Institutions.

In addition, the University of Gibraltar is also pleased to announce the creation of two Research Institutes, under which local and international academics will be able to carry out research on Gibraltar- related matters. This exciting development will see the university develop into a hub for scientists, historians and other academics who will be better able to support and supervise up-and coming students, collaborate on ground-breaking research as well as more easily access shared resources to facilitate their studies.

The two institutes are:

1. The Institute for Gibraltar and Mediterranean Studies (http://www.unigib.edu.gi/research-institutes/institute-for-gibraltar-and-mediterranean-studies/), which will concentrate primarily on the humanities, in particular historical, anthropological and archaeological studies. This Institute will develop authentic and non-traditional research methods to reflect the cultural, religious and geopolitical setting of this part of the world, with focus on the Strait region as the meeting point of people, polities and power. Dr Jennifer Ballantine of the Garrison Library has been formally appointed as Director of this Institute.

2. The Institute of Life and Earth Sciences (http://www.unigib.edu.gi/research-institutes/institute- of-life-and-earth-sciences/) which will be mainly concerned with the physical and natural sciences and the interaction of these two branches of Natural Science. Its focus is primarily, but not exclusively, interdisciplinary with a focus in biology, geology and the environmental sciences. Such disciplines as ecology, evolution, palaeontology, geomorphology, conservation biology, climatology and soil science will form its core. Prof Clive Finlayson of the Gibraltar Museum has been formally appointed as Director of this Institute.

Further details on the research Institutes and their Associate Members can be found on the following University website pages (http://www.unigib.edu.gi/research-committee-2/; http://www.unigib.edu.gi/research-committee-3/).

These institute members are all subject specialists in their own right, and will provide a wealth of up-to- date knowledge and experience to the University.

Dr Keith Bensusan, Director of the Alameda Gardens, said this is a partnership in the purest sense. He added: "It's the role of any botanic garden to engage in research, but the Alameda's journey has been a long one since the early 90s when the Alameda was in a derelict state and it has been carefully rehabilitated since then. First of all, focusing on aesthetics and then building up plant collections which are used for research and conservation purposes, education as well and I think the establishment of the University, at this stage, has been quite fortuitous really. This is, I would say, the final leg of the Alameda's journey towards becoming a proper established botanic garden with a research department, and there are many ways in which we can help the university and in which they can help us."

Professor Daniella Tilbury, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, expresses her thanks to the Associate Campuses. She said: "We are privileged to count with the expertise of a diverse group of established researchers. 

"The institute members are subject specialists in their own right and will assist us in developing new research lines, promoting Gibraltar's research profile and directly supporting our flagship PhD programme, which continues to grow from strength to strength."

Dr Darren Fa, Director of Academic programmers, added: "This important development signals exciting times ahead for the University’s research programme, which has already recently secured partnership in an EU-funded project on energy efficiency."

The University would like to express its thanks and appreciation to the Directors and staff of these Associate Campuses as well as to all its Institute Associate Members for their ongoing support of the University and its mission.

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