The tenth anniversary of the collaboration between the University of Malta and James Madison University (Virginia, USA) was celebrated during an evening event at the Msida campus on 23 May 2018. During this period, the two universities have jointly offered, on an annual basis, an International Master degree in the field of sustainable management of natural resources and the environment. To date, 104 graduates have been awarded this dual degree by both institutions; the degree is one of the International Collaborative Programmes offered by the University of Malta in association with a number of participating foreign universities.
Attending the celebration were members of faculty from both universities who have contributed to the programme, as well as past and current students. Following addresses by Prof Godfrey Baldacchino, Pro-Rector for International Development & Quality Assurance at UM, and Prof Bob Kolvoord, Dean of the College of Integrated Science and Engineering at JMU, two of the programme’s students spoke of their experiences while reading for this degree. During the reception which followed, guests were able to mingle and to renew old friendships while recalling their memories of their time on the programme. Photos taken during this event may be viewed on the Facebook page of the Institute of Earth Systems.
A Recognition Ceremony was then held on 24 May for students currently reading for the joint UM/JMU M.Sc. in Environmental Management and Sustainability. This event was held at the University of Malta Valletta Campus, and celebrated successful completion of the taught component of the programme by the current year’s 17 students.
Prof. Godfrey Baldacchino, Pro-Rector for International Development & Quality Assurance and Prof. Bob Kolvoord, Dean of College of Integrated Science and Engineering at JMU, both delivered an address. Two representatives of the students, Mr Daniel Owoc and Ms Dalton Brauer, also spoke, sharing personal insights regarding their experience on the programme. The students were then presented with their transcripts. Attending the ceremony were various academic staff members, from the Institute of Earth Systems and from other University entities as well as from JMU, who have lectured or supervised the students over the past eight months. Also present were members of the administrative staff, and students’ relatives and friends. Photos from the ceremony may be viewed on the Institute’s Facebook page.
Over the coming months, the students will be working independently at a variety of sites in Malta and the United States to complete their research projects, with the aim of graduating later this year in November.
