Francis Stivala, Secretary General NSTF, writes:
Chief Justice Emeritus Professor Giuseppe Mifsud Bonnici is no longer with us to dedicate himself to giving all he can in a multitude of spheres, to instil righteousness in keeping with his learned principles.
When in his prime, he suffered the ravages of war, which must have influenced his temperament. Yet, he was kind and inspiring, always extending wise advice that embedded long-term thought that not all his listeners could readily grasp.
It is therefore no surprise that within the Student Representative Council (SRC) he assumed a leadership role that went beyond the confines of our island and mirrored the collaborative international approach that characterised the countries and student unions of Europe just after the war.
As president in 1956, he organised the collection of a large sum of money and clothing to support Hungarian refugees who fled from the Communist tanks after the uprising. In solidarity with another 12 European student unions and backed by his good deed, he flew to Vienna to partially comfort these refugees.
He projected this European perspective into actively promoting interest in travel among all University students through the then recently established SRC sub-committee, the Maltese Student Travel Department (MSTD), at a time when the concept and means of travel were exceedingly limited.
His supporting hand, even well after graduating as a lawyer in 1958, led to the establishment in 1963 of a formidable structure re-styled as National Student Travel Service (Malta). This literally subsidised and assisted thousands of university students throughout the years to broaden their education formation through international exchanges and travel.
These seeds of his were the forerunners of the now massive international movement of local students and youth.
He continued guiding NSTS on a voluntary basis as its legal adviser during the difficult years of change that were forecast on the University. He proposed the radical restructuring of NSTS out of the aegis of the University and into a separate economic existence that would still preserve the same ideals of subsidising and broadening one’s education formation through internationalisation.
His solution to constitute a not-for-profit philanthropic foundation of a public education character was unanimously endorsed by a numerously attended extraordinary general meeting of university students called by the SRC in May 1977.
Thus the National Student Travel Foundation (Malta), governed by nominees of SRC and the Senate of the University among others, was born to direct student and youth travel in continuation of the good work of NSTS.
Professor Mifsud Bonnici was nominated by the said general meeting as the foundation’s chairman, a seat which he keenly and altruistically occupied until recently.
He steered the foundation into initiating non-formal educational programmes through which hundreds acquired skills in preparing one’s self for leadership and public life through the NSTF Mini-European Assembly and in pursuing a scientific career through the NSTF Science Expo and its associated projects.
Malta’s heritage also benefitted through his mission for philanthropy as he advocated NSTF to replace the war-shattered stained glass window with one representing the Resurrection at the gothic chapel of Maria Addolorata Cemetery.
From now on, on its 40th anniversary, the Resurrection will tenderly look over him as he rests in peace.
We extend our heartfelt sympathies to his family and our thanks to him for his unceasing and erudite leadership.