In October 2016, the University of Malta launched its M.A. in Global Maritime Archaeology, a course run in collaboration with the Maritime Museum of Western Australia. This postgraduate degree course, carefully designed for students wanting to specialise in this area, attracted a number of international students including those from Germany, the UK and Australia.
Karly Ogden—a history student from Western Australia—applied, and successfully obtained the scholarship to complete the course in Malta through the WA Maritime Museum, after it, in turn had received a grant from the TAG Foundation to help provide the funding for this scholarship.
Earlier this month, the founder of the TAG Foundation, Maltese-Australian businessman Mr Anton Tagliaferro met Karly Ogden. During their meeting, the two spoke about their experiences in Malta and Australia and discussed the advantages of studying Maritime Archaeology in Malta. Ms Ogden expressed her gratitude for the unique opportunity provided by the TAG Foundation.
Also present at the meeting was Course Director Dr Timmy Gambin who reiterated his appreciation to Mr Tagliaferro: the TAG Foundation has agreed to support another Australian student for the 2017-18 course at the University of Malta. 'With this level of support', stated Dr Gambin, 'Malta will continue to establish itself as centre of excellence not only in the field of maritime archaeology but also in maritime studies.
'It is a pleasure to see that the University of Malta is offering a specialised course of this calibre', said Mr Tagliaferro. 'In my opinion Malta is an ideal place to study a postgraduate degree in Maritime Archaeology given the excellent teaching facilities at the University of Malta and because we are surrounded by the sea—the Mediterranean—which for thousands of years has been the centre of so many historical events.
Mr Tagliaferro concluded, 'I am always happy to get involved in projects that bring my country of birth – Malta, and my country of citizenship – Australia, closer together. I am really delighted to work with the WA Maritime Museum to provide this opportunity, through the TAG Foundation, to Australian students who are keen to specialise in this area to study at the University of Malta.'