The University of Malta together with the St Vincent de Paul Long Term Care Facility have reached an agreement to conduct further research to explore and understand physical activity patterns during the retirement process with an intent to support the development of a national policy to this effect.
The collaboration agreement was formally launched on Tuesday 20 June 2023, at the Faculty of Health Sciences within Mater Dei Hospital, University by Minister for Active Ageing, Dr Joe Etienne Abela, Rector, Prof. Alfred J. Vella and Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences Dr Stephen Lungaro Mifsud together with lead collaborator for this project, Dr John Xerri de Caro who outlined the scope of this project. Also present were Dr Josianne Cutajar, CEO of St Vincent de Paul, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry for Active Ageing, Ms Christine Schembri, Deputy Dean, Dr Josef Trapani and researcher-physiotherapist Dr Karl Spiteri.
Throughout the course of this agreement, which will seek to contribute to the formation of a national policy, the University will commit itself to provide the necessary expertise for research to be conducted, mainly through the Department for Physiotherapy. It will also provide ample resources to the designated team, made available through its Library.
In a comment to Newspoint, the Rector expressed his satisfaction that the University is yet again working closely with St Vincent de Paul Long Term Care Facility, through its Faculty of Health Sciences. “Today we are formally launching this collaboration that will see further research being conducted in the areas of physical activity at one’s retirement phase in life. We hope that more research will be undertaken in related fields of study and that knowledge is then transferred into practice within our communities.”
Hon. Minister Dr Joe Etienne Abela remarked that this agreement will pave the way for more research on physical activity in older persons. The minister expressed that this acquired knowledge is important to the whole of society, stating that more in-depth study is required to continue improving our nation’s quality of life.
