Induction course for new staff

The Human Resources Office launched a four-day induction course last month, aimed at 30 new administrative staff employed recently at the University, working in administration, faculties, institutes and centres. It gave the participants a basic understanding of the University structure and the several services offered by the University. During the four afternoons, participants were provided with guidelines and tips on how to tackle their day-to-day tasks more effectively.

On the first day of the course, Dr Mary Anne Lauri, Pro-Rector responsible for students and institutional affairs, gave a brief introduction of the University of Malta to the members of staff. The participants were then addressed by Anthony Gellel, Registrar, who gave a brief explanation of the many functions of the Office of the Registrar. The Registrar was assisted by Stephanie Cassar and Antoinette Micallef, who discussed, respectively, the use of the University's Student Information Management System (SIMS) and the admissions process.

Anita Aloisio, acting finance director, gave a brief presentation on the Finance Office. The second day involved May Bezzina, who introduced the set-up of the faculties and institutes and gave an overview of the work involved from admission of students up to graduation.

This was followed by an introduction of the Scheduling Office by Luigi Pellegrini and a talk on the Registry Office's responsibilities by Marlene Bezzina. Guidelines and tips on meetings and minute-taking were presented by Jo-Anne Attard.

Angela Xuereb and Laura Mifsud Bonnici conducted campus tours, which helped the participants to orientate themselves with the locations of the faculties, institutes, centres and other sections of the University. Joanna Felice introduced the services of the Library, followed by a presentation and tours conducted by Josianne Vella and Mona Azzopardi.

A presentation on the use of the University's Website was held by Angela Xuereb at one of the Computing Services Centre (CSC) Labs, followed by an introduction on the services offered by the by Vanessa Camilleri.

The course also included talks by Patricia Camilleri, director of the Communications and Alumni Relations Office, and Stefania Fabri, deputy director of the International and EU Office. Angela Tabone gave a talk on the functions of the Human Resources Office.

During each session, the new recruits were encouraged to actively participate in the discussion. They were also given the opportunity to provide their general feedback on the course by means of an evaluation form, distributed to them at the last session.