Physiotherapist seeks recognition of degree

A physiotherapist employed with the Health Department yesterday filed a judicial protest in the Civil Court against the education and health ministers, the university and the Malta Equivalence Information Centre.

Vanya Aquilina said she worked as principal physiotherapist with the Health Department.

She had studied at Greenwich University, England, between 1996 and 1999 and had graduated with a degree of MSc Continuing Professional Development (Health).

Aquilina had subsequently applied to the Malta Equivalence Information Centre for her degree to be recognised by the university and other authorities.

But her qualifications had not been recognised by the university on the advice of the MEIC, without any explanation or valid reason being given.

Despite this, Aquilina had discovered that another of her colleagues at the Health Department had successfully completed courses leading to a MSc degree at the University of Dundee, Scotland, and this degree had been officially recognised by the MEIC.

Aquilina added that she had only found this out because she had been the supervisor of her colleague's thesis.

Aquilina declared that the actions of the MEIC were unreasonable and clearly discriminatory in her regard.

She called upon respondents to recognise her degree as being equivalent to an MSc issued by the University of Malta, and held all respondents liable in damages.

Dr Anthony J. Vella signed the protest.