University of Malta Pro-Rectors Prof. Frank Bezzina and Prof. Valerie Sollars, together with Dr Ritienne Gauci, a member of the Future Leadership Forum, attended the SEA-EU Congress organised by the University of Algarve in Portugal on 12 and 13 January.
The Congress focused on Strong Partnerships to face challenges and achieve sustainable development goals. The highlight of the congress was the signing of the Global Gateway Declaration. The Declaration signals a strong international alliance to address challenges in coastal areas around the world and develop the capacity of our blue planet for a sustainable future.
This was signed by Rectors/delegates from the nine European institutions constituting the SEA-EU alliance, as well as higher education institutions from Africa, North & South America and Asia. Representatives from several other entities including the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries & Human Rights in Malta were also signatories of this declaration. Prof. Frank Bezzina and Mr Matthew Laspina were the Maltese signatories.
During the Congress, panels of ten to twelve speakers were invited to give brief interventions through focused round-table presentations.
Prof Bezzina’s intervention during Round Table 4 responded to the question: How can European Universities help the world deal with the main challenges our global society faces?
Responses for this panel were invited from SEA-EU Rectors or their Delegates and other European Universities. Prof. Bezzina reported that HEI should emphasise the skills prioritised within the World Economic Forum’s Future Jobs Report (2023). These include:
- analytical and creative thinking skills;
- curiosity,
- motivation,
- resilience,
- empathy,
- quality control,
- leadership and social influence,
- dependability and attention to detail,
- active listening and technological literacy.
Dr Gauci participated in Round Table 5 where members were tasked with presenting how the perspectives from Gen Z informed and contributed to the Global Gateway Declaration as a result of discussions within the Future Leadership Forum. Dr Gauci highlighted several key issues which are of paramount importance for Gen Z and which have been incorporated in the Declaration. Sustainability, social justice, educational advancement and innovation are key values and perspectives espoused by Gen Z. In contrast, the Declaration emphasises climate neutrality and sustainable practices. Gen Z firmly believe in education that goes beyond traditional boundaries. This is emphasised in the Declaration through the commitment of the SEA-EU alliance to promote quality education and international mobility.
Young people today yearn for practical and meaningful application of knowledge which can be facilitated through interdisciplinary learning and adaptability.
Young people are sensitive to contributing, collaborating and participating in caring communities which respect diversity.
The Congress was also an opportunity for the members of the SEA-EU alliance and guests of the University of Algarve, to attend to general presentations on the work being undertaken in this second iteration of the SEA-EU project. Presentations were made about the work being undertaken in connection with the joint programmes of study at undergraduate, post-graduate and doctoral level. Three young doctoral researchers were invited to share their work through the Science Show. One of the presentations was done by Matthew Vassallo, a doctoral student at the University of Malta.