A 10-day workshop was organised by the Kamra tal-Periti – notably through its Communications and International Secretary Perit Joeaby Vassallo who lectures on the DegreePlus Programme of the University of Malta (UM) – for a group of architecture students from Birzeit University, Palestine. This was an initiative in cooperation with the Architects Association in Palestine through UMAR, the Union of Mediterranean Architects
The workshop focused on the redesigning Misraħ Santa Marija, Żejtun, a town which is working on a twinning agreement with Birzeit. It provided not only practical, creative design experience to the students involving input from academics and professionals but also an opportunity for the students to engage with locals. The workshop was concluded by a vibrant open-studio session at the Valletta Design Cluster.
Further to the support of the Minister for Foreign, Trade and European Affairs the Hon. Dr Ian Borg and the Minister for the National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government the Hon. Dr Owen Bonnici who met the students on site, the event was significantly supported by a number of periti, and resident and visiting academics of the University of Malta. The resident academics included Professor Reuben Grima and Dr Shirley Cefai from the Department of Conservation & Built Heritage, and Professor Lino Bianco from the Department of Architecture & Urban Design. Prof. Bianco offered free accommodation for students at his residence for the entire stay in Malta.
As part of an Erasmus+ EU exchange programme, members of staff of the Department of Conservation & Built Heritage visited Birzeit University. As a follow-up, in 2019 academics from the Department of Architecture of Birzeit University were hosted by the Department at UM.