The origins and development of the Royal University of Malta

Abstract

This thesis examines the historical development of the Royal University of Malta from its original foundation as a Jesuit College to its contemporary role of providing higher education as a Colonial University. Its origins as a Jesuit College are examined first of all, the two main contributory factors being the stability following the establishment of the Knights Hospitallers of St. John in Malta in 1530, referred to in a brief introductory chapter, and the encouragement given to the Society of Jesus to found a College there which is dealt with in Chapter One. The evolution of the College to the attainment of University status is the subject of the second chapter. In 1769 Grand Master Pinto replaced the Jesuit foundation by a University of General Studies which continued under the protection of the Grand Masters until 1798 when it was closed by Napoleon. The changing fortunes of the University during those years are discussed in Chapter Three whilst the following chapter is concerned with the early years of British occupation when the University was left to its own resources. These proved inadequate and Chapters Five to Eight consider the various recommendations made by a series of Commissions of Enquiry notably those of 1836 and 1878, and of the steps taken to implement them. Chapter Nine is concerned with the recognition of the University's Medical degrees and of the difficulties arising out of the problem of the teaching language. The catastrophes of the War years, outlined in Chapter Ten, made it obvious that large-scale assistance would be essential if the University were to survive. This has been provided by the Inter-University Council for Higher Education in the Colonies along the lines proposed by the Principal Evans whose reports are outlined in Chapter Eleven. How the Royal University has fared under post-war conditions is the subject of the twelfth and final chapter which also poses the problem of its future.