The Quality Assurance Committee (QAC) in collaboration with the European Unit last month organised a full day academic staff seminar entitled 'EU Funding and Project Management'. Speakers from several university departments and outside entities engaged in EU-funded projects delivered presentations.

These focused on issues concerning EU funding principles, RTDI funding, INTERREG projects and auditing aspects. Ample time was devoted to enquiries and discussion. This was the fifth in a series of staff development seminars organised this year. Forty members of staff attended.

Following a brief introduction by Professor Charles Farrugia explaining the work of the QAC and how the staff seminars fitted in the council's remit, Dr Joseph Mifsud, acting director of the International Office, gave an update of his office's activities, especially those related to EU funding.

Professor Alex Felice from the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, made the first presentation on organisation and funding. He was followed by Dr Jennifer Casingena Harper from the Malta Council for Science and Technology, who explained the aims and objectives of the RTDI projects.

Greta Borg Carbott and Celia Mallia from the Planning and Priorities Co-ordination Division, Office of the Prime Minister, made a presentation on INTERREG Projects. Dr Jonathan Borg from the Faculty of Engineering, and Dr Helen Grech from the Institute of Health Care, went through their experience of managing EU projects from the proposal to the implementation stage.

Sharon Bonello from Price-WaterhouseCoopers covered the financial and auditing aspects of EU projects. Dr Suzanne Gatt from the Faculty of Education, and Dr Ranier Fsadni from the Mediterranean Institute, commented on the project evaluation process in Brussels.

Follow-up sessions are planned.