A number of flexible courses covering a wide range of subjects have “tickled the fancy” of none other than University of Malta Rector Juanito Camilleri, who will be returning to the institution’s lecture rooms as a student in October.

The university’s recently set-up Centre for the Liberal Arts and Sciences is offering short courses lasting a semester which range from the chemistry of fireworks and the study of classics to Malta’s media landscape and its archaeology.

It is not yet known what study units Prof. Camilleri has chosen. But he said the programme offered a “different learning paradigm” that targeted a niche not previously tackled by the university: adults “who might have not had the opportunity to study at university and graduates who are keen on furthering their education and broadening their knowledge without necessarily committing themselves to full or part-time courses”.

Jean-Paul De Lucca, the centre’s director, explained that flexibility – especially in terms of attendance – is what is “so unique about the programme”. The programme also gives people an excellent opportunity to enhance their knowledge and transferable skills.

“Applicants may register for any and as many individual units of their choice, depending on their time, interests and needs,” Dr De Lucca said.

People can also use accumulated units to obtain a certificate, diploma, higher diploma or Bachelor’s degree, without being forced to complete it within a particular time frame, he added.

Each unit has a value of four or eight ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) credits and is assessed through assignments, which may include seminars, presentations, field work or visits.

Units of four ECTS credits cost €180 and entail between 24 to 28 hours of teaching spread over 14 weeks – amounting to a two-hour session per week. Lectures will be held between 6pm and 8pm at the Msida or Valletta campus.

Those interested can register until September.