Carmen Depasquale was recently promoted Officier de l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques by French Ambassador Michel Vandepoorter at his residence in Żebbuġ, in the presence of President George Abela.

L’Ordre des Palmes Académi-ques is a French distinction created by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1808 and bestowed on people who have distinguished themselves at university or who have provided outstanding contributions in education.

Prof. Depasquale has dedicated her career to education and research, especially in French literature and culture. She has obtained many degrees in French literature (a Master’s degree at the University François Rabelais in Tours, a Diploma of Advanced Studies in Modern Literature at La Sorbonne) and became director of the Department of French at the University of Malta in 2000.

The same year, she presented her PhD thesis dedicated to the intellectual and cultural life of French Knights during the 18th century.

The French Ambassador paid tribute in his speech to the passion Prof. Depasquale has dedicated to French language and culture. He also praised her outstanding contribution to the development of cooperation between the universities of France and Malta.