Seminar on University students' beliefs, attitudes

Dirk Hutsebaut from the University of Leuven, Belgium, is the main speaker at a seminar to be held on Thursday from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at the University Chaplaincy as a follow-up of its recently published study Religious Beliefs and Attitudes of Maltese University Students Revisited - 2009.

Prof. Hutsebaut developed the Post-Critical Belief Scale, one of the tools the study used to gauge the survey respondents' religiosity.

During the seminar he will discuss the rationale for using this research method and will give his interpretation on the survey results, also comparing them to those of other countries.

One of the major points highlighted in the survey was a very pronounced disparity between niversity students' religious beliefs and moral choices.

In other words, they endorse many Church values but do not accept the rigid association between morality and sexuality that it emphasises.

They are seeking more individual ways of living their spirituality and are discarding religious traditions.

The seminar is open to all, especially psychologists, counsellors, youth workers and people involved with young people.

Fifth annual science seminar

The 5th annual science seminar of the Science Students' Society will be held from Friday to Sunday at Bay Street Hotel, Paceville.

The seminar will include talks on the value of scientific research and exploration in the areas of Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics for both individuals and society in general. It is mainly intended for youths and students but it is also open to the public. Attendance is free.

For participants who wish to stay at the hotel on a full-board basis and attend the social events to be held over the weekend, including a themed party and band night, the fee is €70, which is smartcard refundable and includes transport from University, coffee breaks, refreshments and seminar material.

Throughout the academic year the society organises social and educational activities for both members and the public. Membership in the society is free.

For more information view the society's website, e-mail: info@scubed.info or call 7930 9841, 7992 3442, or 7937 0523.