Research should not stand alone but should also make a contribution to society, according to a new university graduate.
Kenneth Chircop, who read for a doctor of philosophy in engineering, spoke about the importance of the university working hand-in-hand with industry, especially in terms of science and technology.
Addressing the first group of graduates at Valletta’s Jesuits church, Dr Chircop pointed out that industry would not wait for academics to publish their research when going about its business.
Academic entities should therefore be proactive and approach industry to understand what its needs were and, where relevant, conduct applied research through which everyone would benefit.
The University of Malta was already working in that direction and Dr Chircop said he felt the momentum should continue growing in the years to come.
He said it would be a great mistake if the public perceived the university as being a “glorified school” or an academic institution lost in theory.
In fact, a number of projects were being implemented.
Leonie Baldacchino, director of the university’s Edward de Bono Institute for the Design and Development of Thinking, called on graduates to develop a versatile and entrepreneurial mindset.
She said they should have their own opinion while taking into consideration the views of other people. “Always make a deliberate effort to think about how your decisions and actions will be perceived by others and how they will affect others.”
Thinking creatively was also important and people should search for opportunities that might be hidden in problems.
Dr Baldacchino also called for ethical thinking. “In today’s competitive environment, one might argue that success hinges on placing one’s own interests firmly before those of others.
“Yet, I strongly believe that even the most difficult decisions that one must make to survive and prosper should be guided by a sense of integrity and ethical value.”
The following students graduated yesterday:
Faculty of Engineering:
Master of Science in Engineering
Sponsor: Dr Ing. John Betts.
David Paul Agius, Matteo Aquilina, Bonnie Attard, Denis Bonavia, Nicholas Paul Borg, Daniel Buhagiar, Ryan Cann, Josianne Cassar, David Debono, Russell Farrugia, Nicolette Formosa, David Francis Grech, Ronald Mangion, Andrè Micallef, Josef Mizzi, Matthew Schembri, Peter Spiteri, Kevin David Theuma and Christian Zammit.
Master of Science in Integrated Product Development
Always make a deliberate effort to think about how your decisions and actions will be perceived by others
Sponsor: Dr Ing. John Betts.
Mark Cini and Abigail Cutajar.
Faculty of Laws:
Master of Arts on Law
Sponsor: Professor Kevin Aquilina.
John Axiak, Joseph Farrugia and Kurt Xerri.
Master of Arts in Human Rights and Democratisation
Sponsor: Professor Kevin Aquilina.
Erika Borg, Olga Anatolyevna Brignano and Rachel Cutajar.
Master of Arts in Financial Services
Sponsor: Professor Kevin Aquilina.
Kristina Borg, Etienne Borg Cardona, Jeffrey Bugeja, Giannella Busuttil, Josef Cachia,Christine Camilleri, Rosette Cassar, Mariel Cutajar, Maria La Ferla, Ian Meli, Daniela Mifsud, Reuben Portanier, Mark Scicluna and Matthew Scicluna.
Master of Laws in Energy, Environment and Climate Change Law
Sponsor: Professor Kevin Aquilina.
Raf Callaerts*, Elizabeth Emma Gaerty, Rya Gatt, Alison Anatolia Gauci, Hannah Sammut Alessi and Cécile Françoise Van Vyve*.
Master of Arts in Ocean Governance
Sponsor: Professor Kevin Aquilina.
Liam Grech, Nie Jing*, Lydia Koehler, Zhe Lu, Leng Ran, Marielle Elaine Verret, Ying Yang, Qiu Yixin and Chen Zhangguo.
Faculty of Media and Knowledge Sciences:
Master of Arts
Sponsor: Rev. Professor Saviour Chircop.
Kseniya Bikteeva, Jennifer Buttigieg, Greta Camenzuli, Marouska Camilleri, Marie Clare Church, Karl Gauci, Cheryl Papps, Andrea Consalvo Rifici, Catia Virginia Romana Da Costa,Kelly Marie Schembri and Caroline Subé.
Master of Fine Arts in Digital Arts
Sponsor: Rev. Professor Saviour Chircop.
Pamela Baldacchino, Kevin Casha, Chris Castillo, Anthony Catania, Anna Grima, Lucienne Lughermo, Paul Mizzi, Maria Pantelidou and Jo Tabone.
The Edward Debono Institute for the Design & Development of Thinking:
Master in Creativity and Innovation
Sponsor: Dr Leonie Baldacchino.
Matthew Alfred Bugeja, Mario Cachia, Lisa Cassar, Abigail Cremona, Lara Gail Dougall, David Ellul, Helena Esnerova, Sherrylene Gauci, Graziella Grech, Cathy Therese Lawlor*, Marina Gennadyevna Mizzi, Mihai Savescu, Anna Sedelnikova and Roman Voytovich.
Institute of Maltese Studies:
Master in Maltese Studies
Sponsor: Professor Henry Frendo
Simon Mark Cusens and Ingrid Micallef.
Faculty of Engineering:
Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering
Sponsor: Dr Ing. John Betts.
Kenneth Chircop, Clayton D’Amato, Maurizio Fenech and Ann Zammit.
* in absentia