Awards given to Faculty of Engineering Staff
Lifetime Achievement Award in Engineering (MEEA) 2013
Mr. Carmel Azzopardi was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award in Engineering organised
by the Malta Chamber of Engineers. The Ceremony was held under the patronage of His
Excellency the President of the Republic Dr George Abela at the Verdala Palace.
Over 270 engineers and guests attended this year’s ceremony, which was organised annually by
the Chamber of Engineers (CoE). The MEEAs are an opportunity to recognise the capabilities of
engineers in Malta, and is a flagship event of the CoE. His Excellency Dr George Abela, President
of Malta and CoE President Inġ. Saviour Baldacchino presented the awards.
Engineering Contribution
Mr. Azzopardi has forty six years of Training, Research Work, Practical and Technical Experience
in the Mechanical and Electrical Engineering where he was totally committed in performing
tasks at Industry, Marine, Hospitality and Education applications. He started his carrier in the
ship repair industry at the Malta Dry-docks which saw him consolidate his position in the
maritime industry over the years with roles both locally and international. The fundamental
Engineering training formatted and built up his character into sober, methodic and precise
approach in such a way as to perform correct tasks, consciously and precisely. The Engineering
stairway leading to his success was to learn, gain knowledge, innovate and practice Engineering
aptitude t o the lead way motto strive for perfection. This training and experience led him to
the World of Engineering and Technical Management.
Impact on Maltese Society
He progressed in by moving from journeyman at Malta Dry-docks to various electrical marine
grades, performing maintenance, repair, fabrication and installation tasks on different types of
vessels (from passenger ships to Tankers dredgers, etc.). His technical services contributed to
other steps which led to management responsibility and improved further his position to
intermediate technical management level.
He proceeded further and got higher posts in
Engineering as follows:- performing duties as Electrical Quality Assurance and Control Manager
at Bezzina Ship Repair Yard; setting the Electrical QA/QC Section at Malta Ship Building;
delivered duties as Electrical Commissioner Engineer at MSB Elect. Outfitting department;
worked as Chief Electrical Engineer at Dredging Works (responsible of three main dredgers and
twelve other working vessels) and was appointed as electrical superintendent of Comafish
Dredging Fleet in Libya – responsible to dredge and reclaim harbor at Sirte’.
He developed leadership skills related to his rich and advanced technologically responsibilities.
His Engineering knowledge and experience development, contributed and served well to the
Maltese infrastructure requirements that flourished after Malta got its independence. He
collaborated and performed work with our former national and parastatal companies such as
Sea Malta, Gozo Channel, Tug-Malta, Enemalta, Malta Freeport, Malta Dry-docks, Malta shipbuilding, and other Industrial and marine private firms. He was abstracted in studying further
for an academic Engineering degree because at that time his priority was much more focused to
deliver the voluminous Engineering Tasks. His contribution and responsibilities attained by
hands on engineering approach, supersedes the acquiring of academic degree and his
experience effort was much more demanded by the Maltese National Companies.
Research Work and Contribution to Engineering Education
His contribution was an asset to the Faculty of Engineering in general, so much so, that he was
able to support other Faculties with holistic approach. Today, he is retired but continues to
collaborate as a part time Senior Lab Officer on research and development of hardware for
undergraduate and post graduate students’ projects. He is keen to support engineering
students and collaborate with his colleagues by advising and assisting in developing self-help
materials and hardware for graduates. Mr. Azzopardi is supporting his IEPC Department in
preparing Engineering Students for our future world; he is delivering training based on
Engineering Approach to provide efficient production.
Addresses for Awards
During his address, CoE President Inġ. Baldacchino noted his satisfaction that the MEEAs give
the Chamber the opportunity to recognise engineering excellence in the presence of the largest
gathering of professional and prospective engineers. He mentioned that this year's edition
brings to a close the celebrations related to the 50th year since the first engineering degree
course was introduced at the University of Malta.
In conclusion Dr John Betts, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Malta and
H.E. Dr George Abela, President of Malta addressed those present. His Excellency noted that
the introduction of the Engineering course coincided with an important milestone of Malta's
journey as an independent nation. From the onset it was realised that Malta could only stand
on its own two feet if local professional technical skills were developed.
Prof. Carmel Pulè awarded Gieh ir-Repubblika
CARMEL PULÈ M.Q.R.
Born in Cospicua, in 1940, coming from a boat building family line, Carmel Pulè studied at the
De La Salle College, the Dockyard School Malta and Chatham, the Medway College of
Technology and the University of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, UK. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in
Science and a Doctorate Degree in Engineering.
At a young age was engaged with the Royal Navy working on radar, sonar and armament
control and message coding systems. In 1960, he won the Gledson Prize for his research on
switched filtered theory and then worked on underwater communications systems.
In 1970, he returned to Malta to teach at the old MCAST and the University, where as a result
of his initiative technical awareness was introduced in all post-secondary schools. In 1993, he
introduced courses for teachers of technology. He advocated the inclusion of knowledge of
technology in the entry requirements of the University of Malta and advised the Ministry of
Education to start the new MCAST.
Prof. Pulè contributed to engineering journals and published a book on Maltese traditional
boats. He regularly contributes to local newspapers to advocate that modern technical
processes should be included in early education.
Prof. Pulè's contribution to Malta
Assisted in introducing higher degrees in Engineering to Malta where local students could
remain in Malta to obtain higher education.
He was instrumental for the Engineering Faculty to be added to the other traditional Faculties
at the Old University. When the University suffered some upheaval, rather than emigrating to
richer countries for a higher salary, he remained in Malta ensuring that the local students had a
University manned by local personnel.
He was consultant to the Libyan Authorities and was instrumental for routing high finances
through the local economy, and Libyan students coming to Malta for technical and language
education.
He initiated the plans for the MCAST.
On planning for the New MCAST, he introduced for the first time ever in Malta, formal teacher
training courses for technical teachers.
He spent 25 years assisting the local hospitals developing and designing and maintaining
surgical equipment used during operations.
He was consultant on surface crafts, ensuring safety at sea, and also was consultant to the Gozo
Ferries when ships were few and the ferries had to work in difficult times.
He was court expert for over 40 years, handling difficult cases involving industrial incidents and
deaths. He advised on safety measures to reduce industrial incidents.
He was instrumental to improve the use of Radio frequency plastic welding systems which were
being used to close to personnel especially mothers to be. Other industrial consultancies where
safety was involves including power station shutdowns.
He was instrumental to working with army personnel to advice the handling of dangerous
cargoes in Malta when under the influence of Radio Magnetic fields, avoiding incidents to
personnel.
Contributed to Maltese Higher Education for 45 years where he was instrumental to produce a
range of engineers who are now responsible to run , airports, harbours, local industry, powerstations, communications systems some of whom contributed to other countries oversees who
diversified their talents to go into finance, airline pilots, financial risk assessments. He was and
still is external examiner to the Ministry of Education and E.T.C. He formulated curricula which
could assist students in every walk of life, knowing that modern employment has a degree of
insecurity which did not really exist in the past employment systems.