One of the courses made available by the University of Malta’s Faculty of Economics, Management and Accountancy (FEMA), the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Business and Information Technology, is about to get a bump up in terms of its innovative and unique offerings, thanks to the involvement of a number of key players from the industries of business and information technology in the design of its programme.
On Friday 3 May 2024, FEMA formalised agreements with KPMG, iMovo and the Malta Police Force, three well-reputed local entities, who will be assisting the Faculty in providing advice on the general content of study, be involved in its Board of Studies which is tasked with improving its teaching methods, supporting students by facilitating their access to the organisations’ knowledge, and assisting in the resource development of the programme by partially sponsoring the programme of studies.
In the presence of his colleague Prof. Vincent Cassar, the Head of Business and Enterprise Management within FEMA, Dr Godwin Caruana, a Lecturer within the same department, introduced these new stakeholders to the UM Rector, while emphasising the “effort that goes into making sure our programme and activities are aligned to the world of work and the economic context in Malta.”
The three signatories of these agreements bring together expertise in key segments across industries, including financial services, technology, media and telecommunications, business processes and operations, as well as security and disciplined forces.
“Other than bringing diverse perspectives and more accountability in our decision-making, the valuable input of these stakeholders will improve the quality and relevance of the material that the students will be covering throughout their academic journey. This Honours degree program not only equips the student with a holistic and hands-on knowledge base pertinent to industry demands but also serves as a robust stepping stone for those contemplating further studies in postgraduate research,” said Prof. Cassar.
This programme seamlessly integrates the disciplines of Business and Information Technology, fostering a synergy between the two domains and places a strong emphasis on practical applications. The curriculum is designed to delve into the intricacies of enterprise management, deployment, business strategies, and the essential applications of information technologies needed to bolster the competitiveness and strategic advantages of businesses.
Beyond preparing the student for managerial responsibilities, this degree proves invaluable if the student has ambitions of entrepreneurial pursuits. It provides the necessary tools to navigate and capitalise on opportunities within the dynamic landscape of evolving business environments and technologies.
Mr Malcolm Bondin, who attended the signing on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, commented on the safety of our communities being a priority that is already being addressed in multiple ways, and that “this agreement enables the MPF to work closer to tomorrow’s entrepreneurs and industry practitioners, thus giving us an opportunity to listen to their needs and better cater for them, all whilst better preparing them for the working world.”
Mr Curt Gauci, Partner of Digital Solutions at KPMG, expressed excitement at this opportunity, as “through renewed collaboration with institutions we share our values with, we are jointly empowering young professionals to reach their potential and in doing so, catalysing more innovation. We strongly believe that collaboration is the key to supporting students to become the best version of themselves.”
Mr Pierre Mallia, Managing Director at iMovo, said “As a leading advisory firm with a strong belief in contributing to the community we operate in, we see first-hand, the rapidly evolving world of work. Through this insight, we feel the need to play our part to ensure students are equipped to succeed in their careers. We see this partnership with FEMA as the ideal opportunity to do so. We also welcome the opportunity to work towards a shared vision with the University.”
University Rector, Prof. Alfred J. Vella was pleased to be witnessing such an agreement, calling it a “welcome step towards the further sharing of knowledge, and the addressing of the need to offer tomorrow’s professionals and entrepreneurs the right tools to be successful and effective.”
"Both the early exposure to the industry and the expertise of our collaborators will surely help keep them motivated throughout their professional journey to help them make positive change within society.”
The Faculty is currently evaluating the possibility of introducing a Master’s Programme in the same stream. In the meantime, the revamped Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Business and Information Technology will be offered in October 2024. For more information, please visit the dedicated UM course finder.
