Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism Ian Borg announced that the government will continue increasing scholarships to postgraduate students from developing countries and from regions afflicted by war, reaffirming Malta’s commitment to education as the key to sustainable development and peace.
On Friday 4 April, Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg visited the University of Malta and the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies (MEDAC) in Msida to meet with the international students currently benefitting from scholarships that the Ministry is sponsoring for the academic year 2024/25.
The €265,000 allocated to these 16 postgraduate scholarships is part of Malta’s Official Development Assistance (ODA), reflecting the nation's commitment to delivering humanitarian and development aid to communities in developing countries and regions affected by conflict and natural disasters.
UM Rector, Prof. Alfred J. Vella, Pro-Rector Prof. Frank Bezzina, MEDAC Chairperson and President Emeritus Dr George Vella, and MEDAC Director Prof. Stephen Calleya welcomed Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg to the University of Malta, where he met with scholarship recipients from Ghana, Ethiopia, Libya, Palestine, Rwanda, Egypt, Djibouti, and Tunisia. This year’s cohort is pursuing postgraduate studies in areas such as Diplomacy, Humanitarian Action, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Energy, Conflict Resolution, and other related fields.
During an open dialogue session, the scholarship students shared their academic journeys and future aspirations, emphasising the transformative impact of the programme on their personal and professional development. At MEDAC, they also engaged in discussions with the Deputy Prime Minister on topics including EU-Africa relations, green investment, and multilateral diplomacy.
Dr Borg highlighted that the current academic year has seen the highest number of scholarships awarded by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Tourism under Malta’s Official Development Assistance (ODA). This support is set to grow further, with an even larger number of scholarships already approved for the 2025/26 academic year. In addition, the Ministry funds Master’s and PhD scholarships through the University’s Islands and Small States Institute, specifically for students from small island developing states (SIDS)—a group Malta strongly supports through various international efforts.
“Education is the key to achieving sustainable development. Through these scholarships, we are positively contributing to the development of your respective countries, as your formation here will bear fruit in your future endeavours in your communities,” said the Deputy Prime Minister.
University Rector Professor Alfred J.Vella said that, “The University of Malta is grateful for the investment and the collaborative effort focused towards continuing and strengthening the scholarship initiative. This ensures continuity and the availability of opportunities to students from diverse backgrounds and interests. Through this initiative we also support the building and consolidation of a strong UM alumni community in specific areas in the identified countries.”
“We are honoured that the ministry has confirmed its commitment to award financial support for the coming academic year. The focus will remain on supporting capacity building efforts in developing countries and areas of conflict. Scholarship awardees join a community of students and staff from diverse backgrounds, exchanging ideas and transferring knowledge and skills to each other,” Prof. Vella added.
MEDAC Director Prof. Stephen Calleya noted that the Deputy Prime Minister’s visit to the Academy was an inspirational moment, providing MEDAC students the opportunity to learn first-hand about the intricacies of contemporary international relations.
