Two third-year students reading for a B.Sc. (Hons) in Earth Systems have become the latest awardees of the Institute of Earth Systems’ APS Award for Academic Excellence in recognition of their outstanding academic achievement in their undergraduate studies.

 

Ms Julianna Ostrowska and Mr Gareth Craig Darmanin obtained consistently high results, including a minimum of 80 ECTS at grade A or better, and a further 20 ECTS at grade B or better, during the first two years of the B.Sc. (Hons) in Earth Systems course.

 

In a ceremony held on 28 June 2023, Prof. Joseph M Cacciottolo, Chairman of the Institute’s Board, presented Ms Ostrowska and Mr Darmanin with their award certificates. The two students also received a small monetary prize donated by APS Bank, who sponsored this year’s award. As well as commending the students’ excellent performance, Prof. Cacciottolo congratulated the Institute on its achievements during the academic year and underlined the role played by students in enhancing the Institute's approach to teaching and research.

 

It was decided to also grant a special award this year to Ms Sara Lee Bonavia in recognition of her exceptional contribution to student activism throughout the three years of the course. Ms Bonavia received a certificate, and was then presented with a bouquet of flowers by the Institute’s Director, Prof. Everaldo Attard.

The B.Sc. (Hons) in Earth Systems is an interdisciplinary 3-year degree programme which considers the various key components of the Earth’s systems and studies their interactions in order to develop an integrated and holistic approach to the management and planning of activities at the human-nature interface. More information can be obtained by contacting the Course Coordinator, Dr Mark Scerri, and potential applicants are encouraged to apply online for the course starting in October 2023.