The idea of a university, Malta, 1975

Abstract

When John Milton came to consider what should be the subject of the great work that he intended to leave to aftertimes, so written that they would not willingly let it die, he rejected a nationalistic poem on King Arthur in favour of the more universal topic of the Fall of Man - Paradise Lost. Many of my more illustrious predecessors on this rostrum have chosen to relate the invariably fascinating story of how their particular subject was born and flourished in this country and this University. But the history of English as a university subject in Malta is for the most part chill; and when it is not dull - as at the time of the so-called Language Question - it is politically controversial. I have therefore decided to follow the example of Milton rather than that of my distinguished colleagues and talk, not about the growth of English in this University, but about my idea of what a university should be, and do; first in general terms and then with particular reference to the here and the now. And I hope that what I have to say will prove of interest and value to you all, teachers, administrators, and students, however much you may disagree with me at times - as it is only just and right that you should.