Two university professors have been awarded first prize in different categories of the National Literary Award competition organised by the Book Council under the auspices of the Ministry of Education.

Professor Joe Friggieri, head of the Philosophy Department, was awarded first prize in the drama section for his book Zewg Drammi containing the author's two original plays in Maltese, Tkun darb'ohra, Mikelang and Trappisti, which played to full houses at the Manoel Theatre and received popular and critical acclaim.

This was Professor Friggieri's third success in the contest. He had previously been awarded first prize for Kadenzi and Mid-Djarju ta' Sara.

Professor Frank Ventura, a member of the Mathematics, Science and Technical Education Department in the Faculty of Education, won the coveted award in the category for publications of an academic, scientific or technical nature with his book L-Astronomija f'Malta, the first book of its kind dealing with the history of astronomical studies in Malta from the age of the temple builders to the present.

At a recent Senate meeting, the two authors were congratulated by the chairman on their success.