Fostering engineering technologies and career opportunities over the Maltese Islands were the key issues of the second IEEE Malta Student Branch Student Professional Awareness Conference held recently. This full day conference was aimed at all students at the Faculty of Engineering (FOE) at the University of Malta.

The Student Branch's chair Claire M. Seguna outlined the activities the branch has held during these last one and a half years since it has been officially recognised as one of the IEEE Student Branches. Branch counsellor Simon Fabri highlighted the benefits students attain as IEEE members. FOE Dean Professor Maurice Grech gave a brief overview of the Faculty's current research.

Guest speakers came from the industry and from academia. Ing. Colin Camilleri discussed the function of the Chamber of Engineers and the Engineering Warrant. Ing. Ronnie Vella and Ing. John Pace, from Enemalta, tackled issues about power generation and distribution.

Mr M. Refalo from the Malta Council for Science and Technology discussed research possibilities under the 6th Framework Pro-gramme.

Manufacturing processes and designing for cleaner technologies was discussed by Dr Nigel Kissaun from ST Microelectronics (Malta). Mobile telephony was tackled by Ing. Martin Zammit from Go Mobile. Dr David Zammit-Mangion and Dr Michael A. Saliba, lecturers at the FOE, spoke about job seeking in the industry and public speaking.

SB vice-chair Keith Chetcuti closed the conference. IEEE has ex-pressed its gratitude to the Branch Counselor, the Dean and all faculty staff.

The conference was sponsored by Go Mobile, Chemimart, Photocity, General Soft Drinks, Consolidated Biscuits and the FOE.

For more information visit www.eng.um.edu.mt/~ieeesb.