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Academic year commences at University, ITS
By MaltaMedia News
Sep 28, 2007 - 4:57:44 PM
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The University of Malta campus on Friday welcomed new students at the opening ceremony of academic year. Rector, Professor Juanito Camilleri and Mr David Herrera, President of the Kunsill Studenti Universitarji KSU, delivered the traditional speeches to the many Maltese students present as well as to over 400 new international students.
This year’s theme is ‘Well rounded Education… beyond certification’. The Rector said that he chose this theme because he strongly believes that the University experience – and indeed the process of life-long learning as a whole - should extend beyond formal curricular and examination structures.
Prof. Camilleri also added that the Senate has approved the launching of a new pilot initiative branded Degreeplus. The project will be officially launched during a Press Conference next Wednesday at 1000 CET at the Atriju Vassalli.
Prof. Camilleri encouraged more students to participate in exchange programmes with other universities and to better understand the European Union and participate in this educational, social, economic and cultural space which is continually evolving. The Rector also said that the University had applied for funding to the tune of circa Euro 30 million under the EU’s Regional Development Fund intended for the construction of a state-of-the-art Computer Services Centre, the construction of the new Faculty of ICT building, the purchase of equipment for modern laboratories and the construction of an extension of the Junior College.
This year, 3,900 Maltese applicants filed 5,151 applications with many applying for more than one course. The number of applicants accepted to date is 2054 while, to date, 323 have not been accepted.
At present, the Admissions Office is working to process 1111 applications from persons who sat for the MATSEC September Supplementary Session. These applicants have been advised that in case of a positive result which should qualify them for the course of their choice, they can attend lectures even before they receive their official letter of acceptance.
A number of courses are opening for the first time this year. Amongst these are Master in the Science of Performative Creativity, Diploma in Rural Entrepreneurship, Diploma in Education for Sustainable Development and MSc in Human Language Science and Technology.
This year the international students hail from 52 different nations worldwide. For the full-time courses, 196 overseas applicants have been accepted, while 230 applicants were accepted as visiting (Exchange, Transfer and Erasmus) students. They will be following courses in a number of areas, the most popular being BA Arts. Most of the visiting students will be in Malta for one semester.
This year the international students have been offered a one-day orientation programme including contact with both the Kunsill Studenti Universitarji and the University Administration. They will also join the Freshers’ Week programme, organised by the Kunsill Studenti Universtarji, which includes campus tours, music unplugged, debates and other activities.
Several distinguished visitors will be visiting campus during Freshers’ Week. These include the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, as well as the Ambassador of the United States of America.
Meanwhile, 220 students have been accepted to join full-time programmes of study at the Institute of Tourism Studies. These students will commence their studies on Monday along with 188 ITS students who will commence their second year of studies and 72 other students who will start their Diploma Level Studies.
Currently there are 109 students who are undertaking their International Internship in various countries such as the UK, Isle of Man, Ireland, Italy, Brussels, Luxemburg, Germany, Jersey and Holland.
A total of 59 foreign full-time students will be following programmes of study at the Institute of Tourism Studies during the Academic Year 2007/8.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the new academic year 2007/8 at the Institute of Tourism Studies Dr Louis Galea, Minister of Education, welcomed all Maltese and International students and augured that the coming academic year would be one filled with learning and fun that they will cherish for the rest of their lives.
Minister Galea also remarked about the developments in the tourism industry which this year was experiencing very positive results. The Minister said that Malta depends on the tourism sector and therefore each and every minute and interaction that ITS students, and those working in the sector, have with tourists can make a difference in the experience of those visiting our island.
The Institute of Tourism Studies will also be organising a number of part-time courses during the next academic year. These will include the Advanced Certificate in Culinary Arts, The Wines and Spirits Education Trust – Intermediate and Advanced, the Food Preparation and Production Intermediate Certificate – the Food Preparation and Production – Foundation Certificate as well as the Food and Beverage Service Foundation, Certificate and Advanced Certificate Courses. Around 500 part-time students are expected to participate.
During the next academic year the Institute of Tourism Studies will conclude its participation in the Interreg IIIA – Saperi e Sapori project, while the Integrated Relational Tourism Project under Interreg IIIA is also expected to come to an end by July 2008. An ESF Project partly funded by the European Union – Providing basic training in Hospitality Trades to disadvantaged persons and persons with learning difficulties will commence mid-October and is expected to come to an end in September 2008.
During the next Academic Year the Institute of Tourism Studies will also participate in other European Union Programmes – Comenius, Leonardo Da Vinci and Erasmus.
© Copyright 2007 by MaltaMedia.com
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Latest update:
Sep 29, 2007 - 5:20:05 PM CET
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