The Honorary Consular Corps Prize has been awarded to Sean Agius, student of the Mediterranean Academy for Diplomatic Studies (MEDAC), for his outstanding work and for obtaining the highest grade in the thesis component of the MA in Diplomatic Studies course.
The Dean of the Honorary Consular Corps, Godwin Bencini, presented the award to Mr Agius, congratulating him on achieving this milestone and auguring him “a long and successful career in the Foreign Service”.
He believes that the annual prize should be viewed as the contribution of the Honorary Consular Corps towards the development of professional diplomats.
MEDAC director Stephen Calleya was also applauded by Mr Bencini for the high level of students that MEDAC turns out consistently every year.
The Honorary Consular Corps is an association that encompasses all Honorary Consuls General, Honorary Consuls and Honorary Vice Consuls accredited to Malta. Since its establishment, the association has been present in activities of both a social and humanitarian nature.
2017 was the third consecutive year in which the Honorary Consular Corps awarded the Honorary Consular Corps Prize to the student obtaining the highest grade and mark in the thesis component of the MA in Diplomatic Studies.
MEDAC is an institution of higher learning within the University of Malta with a unique focus on the Mediterranean region. The Master’s Degree in Diplomatic studies is a one-year academic programme which comprises international law, international relations, international history, international economics and diplomacy. It is a course open to and attended by a number of students from all corners of the world – North Africa, Middle East, Africa, Europe and beyond.
This provides an international setting from which each student can learn different situations from one another, taking examples from their individual home countries. The relationships which they develop in the classroom will flourish into lifelong friendships and professional networks. MEDAC aims to provide students with an all-round experience which includes study visits to Switzerland and Germany, guest lecturers and the opportunity to engage with distinguished speakers.
In attendance for the award presentation were Prof. Calleya, Mr Agius, Mr Bencini and Dr Joseph Buhagiar, honorary secretary of the Honorary Consular Corps.