Malta Institute of Cultural Studies formally launched

The Malta Institute of Cultural Studies (MIOCS) has been formally launched as a privately-owned institute to embark on a number of activities that include publishing, academia and other cultural activities.

Among other targets, MIOCS aims to renew and invigorate the interest in the religious military orders commencing with a special interest in Hospitaller academia.

The publishing division of MIOCS will be publishing the second edition of the Journal of the Monastic Military Orders. The first edition was available earlier this year and other publications are in the pipeline for this year.

Through a heavy financial commitment, MIOCS says it is putting its mission statement into active practice by encouraging hospitaller studies at tertiary level and planning further related cultural activities. MIOCS is seeking both eventual economic self-sufficiency and also to reward future stakeholders, including charities to which it plans to channel part of its profits.

MIOCS is the brainchild of Raymond Bugeja, a Maltese resident in Milan and George Gregory Buttigieg. Comm. Bugeja has co-founded the Fondazione Fra Roggero Caccia Dominioni with SMOM's Grand Prior for Lombardy and Venice.

This foundation operates a leprosy centre and a care centre for street children in Brazil.

Dr Buttigieg, an obstetrics and gynaecology practicing consultant and a University senior lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine, is himself a Knight Grand Cross of Malta and Malta's Plenipotentiary Ambassador to the Sovereign Military Order of Malta in Rome.