Throughout May the Audio Visual Library at the Centre for Communication Technology is exhibiting video documentaries in communications.
This reference library stocks over 600 video documentaries on anthropology, psychology, philosophy, education, sociology, social work, literature, politics, business management, economics, environmental issues and American history and culture.
Around 800 feature films support the film studies programme within Communications. There is also a small collection of audiocassettes and music CDs. Booking in advance is recommended due to space limitations. Up to three users may watch or listen to the same item. Academic staff may borrow two items for one week for lecturing purposes.
Further information on tel. 3290-2412 or fax 2134-5655; e-mail: anita.ragonesi@cct.um.edu.mt
Richard Davies at Architecture Faculty
Professor Richard Davies, head of post-graduate programmes at the Canterbury School of Fine Art in the Kent Institute of Art and Design, recently gave a lecture on "The Fall of the Monumental" to students at the Faculty of Architecture, and particularly, to tutor final year architecture stream students in their thesis projects.
The Canterbury School of Fine Art is unique in that it shares a campus with a School of Architecture providing an innovative area for study and research in both disciplines so much so that the MA courses are open to architects, artists, designers and theorists wishing to further develop their practice either as a single discipline or as a mixed range of disciplines.
The lecture by Professor Davies focused on a series of superbly produced graphic designs illustrating major historical events of the 20th century which certainly made a great impact on the many students from all years who attended the lecture.
Richard Davies was introduced to the audience by Professor Denis De Lucca, head of the Department of Architecture and Urban Design, who emphasized the demanding creative skills that were internationally expected in the training of tomorrow`s architects and the great achievements of the Kent Institute of Art and Design in this field.
He said that it is significant in this respect that the prospectus of the Kent Institute states that its mission is to foster an environment in which the spirit and skill of the creative individual will thrive, research and scholarship flourish, and the educational, artistic and business needs of the national and international community be served.
Dacia Maraini in Malta
Dacia Maraini, the internationally acclaimed Italian writer, winner of several prestigious literally awards, was in Malta last week. She was the keynote speaker at a round table hosted by the University`s Precincts Office in collaboration with the Italian Cultural Institute, the Department of Italian, the Koperattiva Kulturali Universitarja and the Ministry of Education.
This event was part of the gender programme, Anima Animus, which is being sponsored by the Bank of Valletta.
The round table, held at the Erin Serracino Inglott Hall last Monday, was chaired by Dr Gloria Lauri Lucente. The panel of distinguished Maltese writers also included Dr Alfred Sant, Dr Rena Balzan and Dr Charles Briffa.
Ms Maraini was also interviewed by Professor Joseph Eynaud, head of the Italian Department. The evening included musical interludes by the pianist Mariuccia Tombion.
Atmospheric research in Gozo
The atmospheric research project based at the Gozo centre of the University was set up by Rev. Professor Peter Serracino Inglott, then Rector of the University, and Dr Raymond Ellul of the Physics Department in late 1995 to act as a research station into trace gas pollutants for the Central Mediterranean.
After a gestation period of about four years during which basic data were accumulated and a German Ph.D. student finished his doctoral thesis, a spate of publications are now being issued.
The Gozo project is also taking part in several other European projects and is continuously working with the German partners involved; namely the Research Centre in Karlsruhe and the Max Planck Institute in Mainz where the Nobel Prize Laureate Prof Paul Crutzen is based.
It is expected that the Gozo centre operation will become a crucial link in the Mediterranean consortium being formed for the sixth framework programme in the coming years. A major measurement programme is expected to take place in the Mediterranean area over the next five years.
The Mediterranean is a crucial region for the understanding of the atmospheric chemistry and climate changes taking place in the European continent. The centre will soon be installing an SO2 monitor donated recently by Germany.
Edward de Bono seminar
The Edward De Bono seminar will be conducted entirely by Dr Edward de Bono on June 13 and 14 between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Erin Serracino Inglott Hall, University of Malta (car park 2).
Those who would like to be more creative and those who would like to improve their repertoire of thinking skills and strategies should attend this seminar.
Creative Thinking is an important human resource. It is important to utilise this resource to become more creative in today`s fast-changing world. This is an opportunity to learn practical strategies which will be useful in one`s professional, social, academic and personal lives.
Professor Edward de Bono, who was born in Malta, is the inventor of Lateral Thinking. His thinking skills are powerful and simple techniques which can be used in a deliberate manner.
The seminar will be useful to all those who are interested in improving and expanding their potential for innovative, conceptual, critical and creative thinking.
Post-doctoral Fellows for ESTO
As part of the development of the European Science and Technology Observatory (ESTO) network, a list of potential candidates for recruitment as scientific Fellows for two years at a post-doctoral level is being compiled.
One may obtain further information from http://www. um.edu.mt/noticeboard/esto.html
Getting started on laboratory accreditation
A seminar led by Dr George Peplow on the concepts and practice of laboratory accreditation is being organised by the Malta University Services.
This seminar is primarily intended for analysts, technologists and managers, working in independent and in-house laboratories, in private industry and public institutions. It is also relevant to those who wish to become acquainted with the concept of laboratory quality assurance.
Participants would be encouraged to implement forthwith a programe of laboratory quality assurance based on the topics covered during the seminar, with or without the eventual aim of seeking accreditation.
Although participants are expected to have some awareness of basic laboratory quality assurance, no prior knowledge of applied systems will be assumed. All participants will be awarded a certificate of attendance.
The seminar is to be held between May 28 and 30 at the Engineering Lecture Theatre at the University Campus Msida. The organising committee consists of Dr George Peplow of Eurachem Malta, Anton Pizzuto from Cleaner Technology Centre, Neville Micallef of the Malta University Services, Leila Sherafatmand of the Department of Chemistry.
Summer courses
The following summer courses are this year being organised by the Foundation for International Studies.
International Law Course Modules
A course in Criminal Law and procedure, Comparative Labour Law, and Comparative Constitutional Rights is being held at the University Campus by American professors from South Texas College of Law for their own students, and some places are being offered to Maltese students and graduates.
The course runs from May 27 to 19 June, with lectures being held three or four days a week.
The Archaeology Summer School
This course, beginning on June 10, also offers the opportunity of doing field work for additional two or four-week sessions. The Summer School introduces participants to the theory and practice of Archaeology in general and to Mediterranean and Maltese Archaeology in particular. It consists of a two-week course explaining the general principles and methods of archaeological practice, including field archaeology.
This is followed by optional excavation sessions on the University`s dig at Tas-Silg.
Near Eastern Studies
This is a new three-week course starting on June 17, introducing participants to the study of the fascinating world of the Near East (nowadays more popularly known as the Middle East and providing an overview of various cultural aspects such as archaeology, history, religion, and literature of Semitic and other Near Eastern societies.
The language lectures offer a good introduction to the structure of the major Semitic languages used in the Middle East. Lectures on the civilizations of Ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, Syria-Palestine, and the Phoenicians illustrate how the major feats in the history of civilization originated in the Near East.
European Contract and Banking Law
This course is being held between August 26 and 31. This is the seventh edition of the summer school held in collaboration with the University of Rome La Sapienza and other European universities. The course is co-directed by Professor Guido Alpa and Professor Francesco Capriglione. The summer school is held in Italian and English.
Applications are now open for persons resident in Malta for the above courses. Further information can be obtained from Ms Jean Killick or Ms Rachelle Mifsud, International Office, Foundation for International Studies, University Building, St Paul Street, Valletta on tel. 2123-0793 or fax 2123-0538; e-mail: summerabroad@ um.edu.mt