A number of UM academics and staff members have been awarded for their career achievements during the National STEM Awards that were held on Friday 26 January 2024 at Esplora Interactive Science Centre.
Hon. Keith Azzopardi Tanti, Malta’s Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Research and Innovation, commented that science, technology, engineering and mathematics are each so important to our country’s success.
Mr Olaf McKay, Senior Director at Esplora, thanked the winners and nominees for bringing these subjects closer to the community.
Ms Danielle Martine Farrugia, UM’s Science Popularisation Senior Executive, won the non-formal STEM Educator Award.
Upon expressing her honour to having received this recognition of her work, Ms Farrugia said: “I believe public engagement is essential in any scientific endeavour, and everyone can contribute according to their level of expertise and experience”.
In a recent social media post, Ms Farrugia thanked all the stakeholders with whom she has engaged over the years, and aspires to keep bridging the gap between the formal, informal and non-formal in science education and communication.
Prof. Pauline Galea, Associate Professor within UM’s Department of Geosciences, won the Lifetime Award for Contribution to STEM Engagement.
“Using the geosciences to understand how our beautiful planet works is very exciting, but having the opportunity to use this knowledge to address the concerns of society and the public is even more rewarding”, Prof. Galea commented.
Dr Ing. Bonnie Attard, a Lecturer at the Department of Metallurgy & Materials Engineering, won the Engaged Researcher Award.
On behalf of IEEE Region 8 Robot Championship Malta, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of ICT, Dr Conrad Attard, collected the STEAM Project Award.
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UM Rector, Prof. Alfred J. Vella, who was also invited to the ceremony, emphasised the importance of crediting STEM contributors who serve as role models, paving the way for a collaborative focus on STEM in the Maltese Islands.