Insurance is a fast-growing sector within the Maltese financial services industry, and this has led the University's Department of Banking and Finance to launch a new area of study in insurance and finance within the Bachelor of Commerce course offered by the Faculty of Economics, Management and Accountancy. It will lead to the award of a B. Com. (Honours) in Insurance and Finance.
The first degree course started last October and around 40 students opted for the new area of study. It follows two years of preparation and consultation between the University, the Malta Insurance Association and the Middlesea Group, which are leading to the setting up a chair in insurance. The MIA and Middlesea will be offering the services of three international professors specialised in insurance to lecture students in their final honours year.
Local specialists in insurance studies from industry have also been appointed lecturers and tutors in the new area of study. This course is being seen as an opportunity for the industry to foster professionals in insurance who are well-trained and specialised in the sector and who have a good feel of both local and international markets. In future, steps will also be taken to market the course abroad.