The University of Malta decided to pay tribute to its first female graduate, Tessie Camilleri, by naming a campus walkway after her.
Vjal Tessie Camilleri is the walkway opposite the old University gateway by the side of Student House.
Ms Camilleri entered the University in October 1919 and commenced an Arts degree, graduating B.Litt on May 2, 1922. She followed courses in English literature, philosophy and Latin literature. At her graduation ceremony, Temi Zammit dedicated his speech to the importance of female participation in tertiary education. He congratulated Miss Camilleri and her "fellow lady students who have joined this University" and echoed the idea prevalent in England in the 19th century that the study of English literature was conducive to the development of a "homogeneous society with healthy aims and aspirations".
Ms Camilleri was born on January 6, 1901 into a well-educated family. Her aunt, Giulia Camilleri, was an inspector of schools while three other aunts ran a well-respected private school in Valletta. Shortly after her graduation she married Edgar Staines who worked in the administration of the University and they had four children in quick succession. Sadly, she died aged only 29 on October 2, 1930.
This is how The Daily Malta Chronicle of May 2, 1922 recorded her graduation:
"Miss Camilleri had greatly distinguished herself in the course of literature, revealing intellectual endowments and attainments of no mean order, and we heartily congratulate her on her well-deserved success which has gained for her the distinction of being the first lady graduate of the University of Malta."
By 1972, the number of female graduates had reached 30 (21.13 per cent of the total). In 1980, the percentage was still under 33 per cent (45 females and 137 males). However, in October 1991 the number of female students at the University of Malta surpassed the number of male students (684 females and 680 males). Last October, the number of accepted female applicants had reached 1,829 compared to 1,336 males.