1
Issue
Issue10
7
July 2015
March
2016
Dear All,
Wishing you all a blessed Easter, and a restful two
weeks of recess.
Prof Angela Xuereb
Dean
Editor’s Note
Welcome back everyone, I hope that you are enjoying your recess and your days off with
your families and dear ones.
Thanks to all for your positive feedback and your contributions to another interesting
newsletter featuring an update of what is happening at our Faculty, including your research,
past departmental events, information about upcoming events and news from campus. As
some of you suggested I have also added another section, which will be dedicated to an interview with a member of staff (pg.2). For this edition, I have interviewed Professor John
Rizzo Naudi, a most prominent figure in the history of our Faculty.
Hope you enjoy reading it and Happy Easter!
Ramona Cuschieri
FHS Newsletter Editor
4
Past Events
8
Publishing, Research
and Presentations
16
Announcements
17
18
Notices
Campus News
Interview
2
Interview with Professor John Rizzo Naudi
Professor John Rizzo Naudi is a very important
figure in the history of our Faculty. Although I have
been posted at the Faculty of Health Sciences for a
number of years, I have only been in a very small
part of the remarkable history of this Faculty so I
found this interview very interesting and hope that
you do too.
You are very fervent about the Nursing
profession, can you tell me more about that?
Yes, I have always appreciated the good work nurses
Prof John Rizzo Naudi
do. Working with the sick is a very essential
K.O.M., M.D., B.Sc., F.R.C.P.
vocation and it is very important that it is done in a
(Edin.).
good and proficient way. When I was appointed as
Parliamentary Secretary for Elderly Affairs, the professional training of health
professionals was high on my agenda. My academic background was very much
to my advantage and luckily I was very much supported by the late Rev.
Professor Peter Serracino Inglott, who was Rector of the University at the
time. If I had not done that, all this would not exist and even Mater Dei
Hospital would have never opened.
How did it all start?
During the summer of 1987, we went to UK together with Professor Mario
Vassallo and my then Secretary General. We drove ourselves in a rented a
Volvo to avoid superfluous expenses and drove around to visit a number of
Universities and a link was established with the University of Liverpool.
Were there many challenges?
Many of them, this venture was not appreciated at all the time, mainly due to
the fact that except for those with religious vocation, nursing in Malta was seen
as servant work and training in nursing at University level was not an attractive
prospect for young people. In fact during IHC’s first academic year, there was
only one student applicant but I did not give up anyway. When I realized that a
considerable number of students had failed in one subject at ‘O’ level but had
good grades in the other subjects my next step was to take the initiative to set
up the Pre-Vocational School for Health Care, directed by Mr Anthony
Azzopardi.
Cont. pg. 3
Interview
Can you tell us briefly something about your life before that?
I was born and lived in Msida and back then all the kids used to play in the
streets. I was a bit different, because when I was twelve years, my mum and
aunt, who were teachers told me that I will become a doctor, so I had to study
hard and throughout the summer I would do all the work of the next academic
year.
I passed my matriculation exams in 1943, only five of us did and they appointed
us as teachers. I was at the boys school in Naxxar. I had about 40 children and
I was quite perplexed as to how I was supposed to get to know them all. So I
told the Headmaster to allow me to use a different methodology, since these
kids would not appreciate sitting in class all those hours. So I had the first two
benches with clever kids who wanted to study, and they did and later in life
served in the civil service while with the rest I played football. That is how I
got to know them and teach them at least the basic things in life.
Then there was the war and schools had
to close as teachers were engaged as
community officers. At that time I
enrolled at the University of Malta in
Valletta, we used to walk there with
bombs falling around us and we used to
study in the cellar under a table. But I
did it and I graduated as Doctor of
Medicine in 1952.
After that I told my wife I would love to see the world and work in another
country and she was a saint, and very supportive. So we moved to Malaysia
and stayed there for 7 years. That’s where I became a man, I worked with
locals and aborigines with leprosies and ophthalmologic conditions and I even
set up clinics in their rural villages. I had to learn to speak and write in the
Malay language and I was very much and still am very respected there.
A very significant moment in your career?
I always believed in the children coming from families with no education
background and I wanted to help them as I was their only hope. Those
moments when they came to thank me and tell me they made it were and
remain very significant to me.
3
Past Events
Students’ Industrial Visits
During this second semester the Department of Food Studies and Environmental Health
(through Mr Anton Pizzuto) continued organising industrial visits for students reading for
their B.S.c. (Hons.) in Applied Food & Nutritional Sciences.
The first visit for this semester was at the Malta Dairy Products plant in Hamrun. The
students were taken around the plant where they experienced the whole process from
the receipt of the raw milk through its pasteurisation testing, further processing to
produce rikotta, cheeselets, yoghurt and mozzarella, apart from the liquid milk.
After the tour the students had a short break and had a taste of different flavoured
yoghurts. The visit was wound up by a video and question session. Students were shown
around by Mr Victor Anastasi (MDP Consultant).
The second visit took the students to Elia Caterers Ltd. At Elia they where shown around
the various sections from the kitchen to the pasties room, the sweet decoration
section,the bakery and the outside catering section. The highlight of the visit was the
chocolate section which was in full swing with preparation for Easter (vide photo). The
students had the opportunity to have their first taste of Easter eggs even before they are
marketed! The students were also informed about the food hygiene management system
(HACCP) being implemented by the company in its ongoing development and expansion
programme.The visit was conducted by one of the directors Mr Paul Borg Bonaci.
Future visits are already being planned.
4
Past Events
Eye-Opener Seminar - Malta as a member state at the European
Molecular Biology Conference and Laboratory: What is in it for You?
On Tuesday 17 November 2015 a workshop conducted by the European Molecular
Biology Organization (EMBO) and European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) was
hosted by the University of Malta. Dr Joseph Borg is EMBO and EMBL delegate for Malta.
The event, which was held at the Faculty of Health Sciences, South Auditorium at Mater
Dei Hospital was coordinated by Dr Joseph Borg together with Jana Pavlic and Matija
Grgurinovic from EMBL Headquarters in Heidelberg.
EMBO is an organization of more than 1,700 leading researchers that promotes
excellence in the life sciences. The major goals of the organization are to support talented
researchers at all stages of their careers, stimulate the exchange of scientific information,
and help build a European research environment where scientists can achieve their best
work. EMBO helps young scientists to advance their research, promote their international
reputations and ensure their mobility. Courses, workshops, conferences and EMBO Press
publications disseminate the latest research and offer training in techniques to maintain
high standards of excellence in research practice.
Founded in 1974, EMBL is Europe’s flagship laboratory for the life sciences – an
intergovernmental organisation with more than 80 independent research groups covering
the spectrum of molecular biology. The Laboratory operates across five sites: Heidelberg,
Hamburg, Grenoble, Monterotondo and EMBL-EBI Hinxton.
Malta is currently enjoying an observer status with the rest of the European Member
states as both an EMBO and EMBL member, thus opening up borders for research in the
Life Sciences Sector.
Young undergraduates, as well as graduates and postgraduates hailing from different
Faculties and Departments across the University of Malta attended the event and listened
to an overview of the key benefits.
Dr Joseph Borg, EMBO and EMBL delegate for Malta, with Jana Pavlic from EMBL Headquarters in Heidelberg.
5
Past Events
6
Centenary Celebrations - Midwifery
On the 9th of December, 2015 the Department of Midwifery at the Faculty of Health
Sciences, University of Malta hosted an evening to commemorate one hundred years of
midwifery education within the same University. The event was held at the South
Auditorium, Faculty of Health Sciences and was chaired by Ms Georgette Spiteri, Assistant
Lecturer, Department of Midwifery.
Dr Rita Borg Xuereb, Head, Department of Midwifery opened the ceremony with a
welcoming speech. In her address, Dr Borg Xuereb recalled how one hundred years ago
six women commenced a three year midwifery education programme leading to a
diploma under the auspices of the University of Malta. She highlighted the evolvement of
midwifery education since then. Today the Department offers both undergraduate and
postgraduate degrees. She explained how all midwifery graduates are registered by the
Council for Nurses and Midwives and are licensed by the President of Malta, enabling
them to practice independently.
The following address was by the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Professor Angela
Xuereb Anastasi who noted that most academic members of the Department are
qualified to doctoral level which is very promising for the future of midwifery education in
Malta.
The next speaker, Professor Maria Cordina presented the experiences of her
grandmother Giuseppina Sghendo ‘Il-Majjistra’, a
University of Malta’s Diploma in Midwifery graduate.
Professor Cordina explained how her grandmother
was born in the late 1800 and after getting married at
the tender age of 16 she enrolled at the Practical
Midwifery School of the Malta University and
graduated ‘after having regularly and diligently attended
for a period of twenty four months, the special course of
clinical lectures of this maternity and the requisite practical
training, including not less than twenty four
confinements… …was duly admitted to the prescribed
examinations in theory and practice… …having duly
passed those examinations… …declared to be entitled
to practice as a fully qualified practical midwife’.
A copy of Midwife’s certificate who
graduated
with a Diploma of
Midwifery Practice in 1920
Dr Josephine Attard presented her doctoral work
entitled: The design and validation of a framework of
competencies in spiritual care for nurses and
midwives: a modified Delphi study.
Cont. pg. 7
Past Events
The aim of this study was to develop of competency framework in spiritual care for
nurses/midwives to address the lack of guidelines in nursing/midwifery education and
clinical practice.
Dr Rita Pace Parascandalo followed with the presentation of the findings from her
doctoral work entitled: Lived realitites of NICU-to-home transition in Malta: The
experiences of parents of preterm infants, and of neonatal staff. A Heideggerian
hermeneutic phenomenological approach was used to generate a deeper understanding
of the meanings and experiences of NICU-to-home transition from multiple perspectives.
The event concluded with a presentation of mementos to the newly qualified midwives
who obtained a Bachelor Degree and two midwives who obtained their Master’s Degree
who also presented their research via poster during the event.
The highlight of the celebration of midwifery ended with a commemorative plaque being
presented to Dr Mary Carmen Spiteri upon her retirement in recognition of her
contribution towards midwifery education and practice in Malta. A wine reception was
held following the event.
This event was sponsored by the BabyTeam atVivian Corporation.
7
Publishing, Research and Presentations
Research Seminars
The Faculty of Health Sciences organises brown bag (lunchtime) research seminars, aimed
to promote the sharing of information on a variety of research topics that embrace
different disciplines related to Health Sciences in Malta. The seminars also aim to establish a
dialogue for local academics between different Faculties and within our Faculty (between
departments) and strengthen the research community of the University of Malta. The
presenters for our brown bag seminars are generally invited speakers who present their
Doctoral, Post-Doctoral or other research in their respective field. Factually we also
welcome external and visiting Academics to the University of Malta, who are here on
visiting programs from foreign Universities.
The structure of these seminars consists of a 45-minute presentation followed by a 15minute question and answer session. The content of the talks may consist of specific
research data and results presentation, or may take the form of a particular health-science
related research methodology discussion. We encourage all Faculty staff to attend these
fora, since it will reveal to them different research approaches and techniques, and provide
fertile ground through which they can integrate better with other research teams, and
with the general research environment at the University of Malta.
Here follows the abstracts of the past four seminars:
Cellular Mechanisms of Damage and
Pharmacological Recovery in Stroke:
Wednesday 27th January 2016
ABSTRACT
Prof M. Valentino
Associate Professor
Faculty of Medicine & Surgery
Research in his laboratory is directed to understanding
cellular mechanisms of damage and pharmacological
recovery in stroke. His work mainly focuses on hypoxicischemic (HI) injury of the brain's white matter (WM). We
have shown that vulnerability of WM to ischemia varies
during development and more recently that central axons
preparing to myelinate are highly sensitive to HI and that
axon metabolism resolves around astrocytic lactate.
There is growing recognition that approaches to reducing injury must also protect the
‘neurovascular unit’. The dynamic events can at present be followed by high resolution
imaging using multiphoton microscopy that enable us to capture cellular and
molecular events deep down within brain structures.
Knowledge of the intricate dynamics and cross-talk between neurons, Cont. pg. 9
8
Publishing, Research and Presentations
glia and the vasculature is unraveling what causes these cells to die and how
they could be made to recover. One significant reason for these advances has
been the development of fluorescent proteins that can be incorporated into
proteins by genetic fusion to produce a
fluorescent label in transgenic mice.
Experimental methods used in the lab include
in vivo stroke models, brain slices, intravital
imaging, electrophysiolog y
and
immunocytochemistry. The laboratory benefits
from the collaborative environment provided
by the the Max Planck Institute in Cologne,
Universities of Plymouth and Heidelberg.
Lived realities of NICU-to-home transition in Malta: The experiences
of parents of preterm infants, and of neonatal staff: Wednesday 3rd
February 2016
ABSTRACT
Preterm birth and the premature infant have
been
predominately
studied
from clinical
perspectives. The experiences of parenting a preterm
child and the experiences of staff directly involved in
the care of preterm infants have been studied much
less. Additionally, less is known about the meaning of
experiences around the preterm infant’s discharge
from the neonatal unit and life at home thereafter.
This study addresses these gaps identified in
Dr Rita Pace Parascandolo
research and aims to generate
a
deeper
Assistant Lecturer
understanding of the meanings, and lived
Faculty of Health Sciences
experiences
of
NICU-to-home transition from
multiple perspectives: mothers and fathers, and neonatal staff.
This is a Heideggerian hermeneutic phenomenological study of the
experiences of Maltese parents of preterm infants and, of neonatal staff of
NICU-to-home transition. Using purposive sampling, open interviews were
conducted with 9 mother-father dyads of preterm infants and 12 neonatal staff
that included midwives, nurses and doctors working on the only neonatal unit
in Malta. A modified vignette technique based on the parents’ interviews was
used to stimulate reflective talk with the staff. A longitudinal design was
adopted for data collection from the parents: at 1 month, 3 months Cont. pg.10
9
Publishing, Research and Presentations
and 6 months after discharge of their baby from the unit. The research process
including analysis of the data was guided by van Manen (1990).
The parents’ experiences of NICU-to-home transition are represented
through four main themes: ‘Shadowed by fading clouds of uncertainty’,
‘Reaching out’, ‘Watching vigilantly’ and ‘Living the new family’. In addition,
three main themes emerged from the staff data:
‘Acknowledging good practice’, ‘Realising
limits’ and ‘Awakening to needed
improvements in care’. Findings indicate
that, in the longer term in the home
setting, parents translated their parenting
approaches through the norms of neonatal
unit routines and practices. Staff findings
revealed that care focuses primarily on
producing technically prepared parents in infant care which arises out of their
sense of responsibility towards the babies’ wellbeing that extends to after
being discharged from the neonatal unit.
A further in-depth interpretation and synthesis of the findings was undertaken
drawing on the philosophy of Heidegger (1962). This revealed ‘oscillating
realities’ between parents’ and staff experiences, particularly in the degree to
which they endeavoured to solicitude which ‘leaped in’ or ‘leaped ahead’, and
the extent to which technocratic ways of being permeated their
relationships to each other and to the babies. Implications of the findings and
suggestions for further research are presented.
Lessons from the Trojan War on battling
Cancer : Wednesday 17th February 2016
ABSTRACT
Dr Pierre Schembri Wismayer
Senior Lecturer - Anatomy
Faculty of Medicine & Surgery
Cancer is not one disease but thousands. Even in the
same person lots of different clones exist and even
within those clones cells become more and more
different. Despite this both academic researchers
and companies round the world focus on targeted
therapy aiming to identify the different anomalies in
these clones and treat each accordingly. In all solid
yum ours none of such therapies have ever cured
anyone despite
Cont. pg.11
10
Publishing, Research and Presentations
research effort. Drugs which sell for a billion dollars to companies extend
lifespan by an average of 4 months. Our research is based on dividing tumours
into inside and outside ones and treating these two groups in different
ways. The inside ones are likely to have a common driving or "trunk"
mutation....probably happening in the famous cancer stem cells....and targeting
this trunk or stem cell may kill all the tumor. Differentiation therapy with ATRA
on APL is one of the rare success stories of this
targeted therapy. I will present research
attempting to extend this stream of therapies.
Outside tumours....including many solid tumours
grow like a bush with multiple stems. No targeted
therapy will probably ever work). Immune
therapies are starting to make inroads. I will
show research aiming to use a Trojan horse effect
in cancers using regulatory T cells and other immunotherapies.
Genetics and Diagnostics in Breast Cancer : Wednesday 2nd March 2016
ABSTRACT
Recent data has shown that around 12% of women
shall develop breast cancer at one point or other of
their lifetime. In contrast, 45 to 65 % of women with
an inherited pathological BRCA1 or BRCA2
mutation, would develop breast cancer, and a large
proportion of these shall develop it at a relatively
young age (younger than 50 years). In addition,
mutations in these genes are associated with triple
negative breast cancer that lacks specific, targeted
Prof. Christian Scerri
treatment. In view of the young age and the type of
Physiology & Biochemistry
breast cancer, the risk that these women having
Faculty of Medicine & Surgery
advanced cancer at age of diagnosis is relatively high.
Apart from breast cancer, these women have a higher risk (11 to 39%) than the
general population (1.3%) to have ovarian cancer.
Identifying individuals that are at risk of carrying a
mutation in one of the disease causing genes shall
allow the identification of other family members
and offer a possibility of setting up early
surveillance programmes. The genetic background
and diagnostic criteria to assist in the identification
of these individuals shall be discussed.
11
Publishing, Research and Presentations
Editorial Board Member of Gerontology & Geriatrics: Research
Prof. Sandra Buttigieg was listed to be one of the editorial board members
of Gerontology & Geriatrics: Research, an open access, peer reviewed,
scholarly journal dedicated to publish articles covering all areas of Gerontology.
Congratulations!
Buttigieg, S.C., Dey, P.K., Gauci, D. (2016)
Assessing bacterial recovery and efficacy of cold atmospheric plasma
treatments, published and licensed by Dove Medical Press Limited. http://
dx.doi.org/10.2147/IEH.S68183
ABSTRACT
Prof S. Buttigieg
Head, Department of Health
Services Management, FHS
Ms Dorothy Gauci
Research Support Officer II, Dept. of
Health Services Management, FHS
The emphasis of performance management in health care
is shifting from output or outcome-based to a systembased approach. In particular, clinicians and managers are
re-focusing their attention on processes so as to achieve
better health system performance, as a reaction to the
financial crisis. Health care management is increasingly
applying systems thinking and business process
management (BPM) as philosophies, which have proved to
make a difference in organizational performance and
competitiveness to the industry at large. This commentary
provides answers to five questions that emerged through a
reflective exercise and use of secondary data sources and
informal interviews. These questions are intended to
contribute toward better understanding of the meaning
and application of BPM by scholars and practitioners in
health care management. The questions are as follows:
What is BPM and is it relevant to health care? Has BPM
been extensively applied to health care? Why focus on
quality in health care delivery? What are the current
challenges of health care and can BPM help? What role
BPM will play in future to facilitate effective health care
management?
12
Publishing, Research and Presentations
13
Buttigieg, S.C., Dey, P.K., Gauci, D. (2016)
What's in a broken promissory obligation? Developing and testing a multiple
component form measure of psychological contract breach, published in The
International of Human Resource Management Volume 27, No 5, pp 567-592 http://
dx.doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2015.1025089
ABSTRACT
While the literature has suggested the possibility of breach being composed of multiple
facets, no previous study has investigated this possibility empirically. This study examined the
factor structure of typical component forms in order to develop a multiple component
form measure of breach. Two studies were conducted. In study 1 (N ¼ 420) multi-item
measures based on causal indicators representing promissory obligations were developed
for the five potential component forms (delay, magnitude, type/form, inequity and reciprocal
imbalance). Exploratory factor analysis showed that the five components loaded onto one
higher order factor, namely psychological contract breach suggesting that breach is
composed of different aspects rather than types of breach. Confirmatory factor analysis
provided further evidence for the proposed model. In addition, the model achieved high
construct reliability and showed good construct, convergent, discriminant and predictive
validity. Study 2 data (N ¼ 189), used to validate study 1 results, compared the multiplecomponent measure with an established multiple item measure of breach (rather than a
single item as in study 1) and also tested for discriminant validity with an established multiple
item measure of violation. Findings replicated those in study 1. The findings have important
implications for considering alternative, more comprehensive and elaborate ways of
assessing breach.
Demajo, J.K., Cassar, V., Farrugia, C., Millan-Sango, D., Sammut, C., Valdramidis, V. and Camilleri, J.
(2016)
Effectiveness of Disinfectants on Antimicrobial and Physical Properties of Dental
Impression Materials published by Quintessence Publishing Co, Inc., Volume 29,
Number 1.
ABSTRACT
Dr Vasilis Valdramidis Senior Lecturer and
Mr David Millan Sango Research Support Officer
Department of Food Studies & Env. Health, FHS
The aim of this study was to assess the
antimicrobial activity of chemical disinfectants on
alginate and silicone impression materials. The effect
of chemical disinfectants on the dimensional
stability of the impression materials was also
assessed.
Cont. pg. 14
Publishing, Research and Presentations
For the microbiologic assessment, impressions of the maxillary arch were taken from 14
participants, 7 using alginate and 7 using an addition silicone. The impressions were divided
into three sections. Each section was subjected to spraying with MD 520 or Minuten or
no disinfection (control), respectively. Antimicrobial action of the chemical disinfectants was
assessed by measuring microbial counts in trypticase soy agar (TSA) media and expressing
the results in colony-forming units/cm2. The surface area of the dental impressions was
calculated by scanning a stone cast using computer-aided design/computer-assisted
manufacture and analyzing the data using a custom computer program. The dimensional
stability of the impression materials after immersion in disinfectants was assessed by
measuring the linear displacement of horizontally restrained materials using a traveling
microscope.The percent change in length over 3 hours was thus determined.
Alginate exhibited a higher microbial count than silicone. MD 520 eliminated all microbes
as opposed to Minuten. The bacterial growth after Minuten disinfection was almost twice
as much for alginate than for addition silicone impressions. The chemical disinfectants
affected the alginate dimensional stability. Minuten reduced the shrinkage sustained by
alginate during the first hour of storage.
Alginate harbors three times more microorganisms than silicone impression material.
Chemical disinfection by glutaraldehyde-based disinfectant was effective in eliminating all
microbial forms for both alginate and silicone without modifying the dimensional stability.
Alcohol-based disinfectants, however, reduced the alginate shrinkage during the first 90
minutes of setting. The current studies also propose another method to report the
surface area based on accurate estimation by 3D image analysis.
Kourkoutas,Y., Karatzas, K.A.G., Valdramidis,V.P. and Chorianopoulos, N. (2015)
Bioactive Natural Products: Facts, Applications, and Challenges published by
BioMed Research International,
Volume 2015, Article ID 684109, http://
dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/684109
Today, there are a strong debate and interest regarding the safety aspects of chemical
preservatives added widely in many food products to prevent mainly growth of spoilage
and pathogenic microbes. Synthetic compounds are considered responsible for
carcinogenic and teratogenic attributes and residual toxicity. To avoid the aforementioned
problems, consumers and authorities have increased pressure on food manufacturers to
substitute the harmful artificial additives with alternative, more effective, nontoxic, and
natural sub-stances. In this context, the use of natural compounds with antimicrobial action
presents an intriguing case. Natural antioxidants also demonstrate a wide range of
biological and pharmacological activities and are considered to have
Cont. pg. 15
14
Publishing, Research and Presentations
beneficial effects in nutrition and health. Natural products are currently used in several
product preparations mainly as flavouring agents, fragrances, and functional additives by the
cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries, while their individual components are also used as
flavourings. These natural substances have been suggested for use in foodstuffs, as they are
known to display significant antimicrobial properties.
In order to extend our knowledge on the effectiveness of natural bioactive products and
explore their application as antimicrobial systems and in functional foods production,
research must be focused on the following issues: the elucidation of the molecular cell
mechanisms through which microorganisms respond against natural bioactive products;
the definition of matrix effects on the antimicrobial efficiency of a natural bioactive product
in combination with other hurdles; the use of emerging technologies in combination with
natural products, which may act synergistically for microbial growth prevention; the
determination of other biological activities of natural products, for example, those relative
to antioxidant and anticancer potential, and the identification of possible mechanism(s) of
action; the understanding of consumer attitudes and quality perception.
Additionally, more emphasis should be given on prevalence assays of pathogenic
microorganisms in connection with the use of natural antimicrobials during various
production stages in industry. The inclusion of several factors, such as matrix and
physiological stage of microorganisms, into mathematical models describing microbial
growth and death, would represent a significant advancement in quantitative studies when
compared with the empirical, descriptive models of microbial growth of limited predictive
capability, currently used by the industries.
The main objective of this special issue is to provide a number of documents focused on
the facts, applications, and challenges of bioactive natural products and present the
methodologies in use for their effectiveness evaluation. Moreover, the challenges that
industry faces with respect to the use of bioactive natural products as antimicrobial agents
in terms of safety and microbial growth prevention are discussed. A better understanding
of the proposed mechanisms of action for some natural compounds and relevant key
molecular factors in bacterial biofilm formation and their regulation, such as the chemical
signalization machinery involved in bacteria environment interaction, are also referred to.
Furthermore, the application of high hydrostatic pressure treatment as a reliable
nonthermal pasteurization method to extend the microbiological shelf life of various
foodstuffs is thoroughly discussed. Finally, the potential of various plant-derived compounds
to control pathogenic bacteria and especially the diverse effects exerted by plant
compounds on virulence factors that are critical for pathogenicity is highlighted and
assessed.
15
Announcements
16
New Pet
I thought to let you know about my adorable new family
addition Jak, a mixed breed Fox terrier puppy who has totally
stole my heart in just a few weeks. If you are thinking about
getting a pet, my advice is to just go ahead and do it….I have to
stitch back those buttons and say farewell to my sneakers, but
its really one of the best life changing decisions I ever made!! :)
Renewal of Health Insurance Policy for 2016
The University of Malta, Mediterranean Insurance Brokers (Malta) Ltd (MIB) and Atlas
PPP Healthcare are pleased to announce the renewal of the Employee Benefit Scheme
for the period 1 March 2016 to 28 February 2017.
All details are available online.
Membership Agreement as from 1 March 2016
Large Corporate Changes to Handbook
Insurance Presentation 2016
Health Insurance Application Form
Claim Form
Pay Periods for 2016
MONTH
PERIOD
PAY DATES
March
26.02.2016 - 24.03.2016
24.03.2016
April
26.02.2016 - 21.04.2016
21.04.2016
May
21.04.2016 - 19.05.2016
19.05.2016
June
19.05.2016 - 16.06.2016
16.06.2016
July
16.06.2016 - 14.07.2016
14.07.2016
August
14.07.2016 - 11.08.2016
11.08.2016
September
11.08.2016 - 08.09.2016
08.09.2016
October
08.09.2016 - 06.10.2016
06.10.2016
November
06.10.2016 - 03.11.2016
03.11.2016
December
03.11.2016 - 01.12.2016
01.12.2016
December
01.12.2016 - 29.12.2016
29.12.2016
Points from Officer's Meeting - 26th February
17
Revision Week
A reminder that the Faculty Board of Health Sciences has agreed that it is up to each
individual Department whether to hold lectures or not during the revision week.
Lectures are allowed, so long as students are not given any new material that they would
be examined upon during the examination session. Revision classes can also be held. It
is therefore not the case that students are exempted from coming to University during
revision week - rather, they may be expected to attend lectures and revision classes.
Submission Of Results
The deadline for academic members of staff to submit semester 1 assessments results is
the 30th March 2016. Results are to be inputted and published in SIMS by 6th April.
University Student Discipline Regulations, 2015
A new set of regulations governing discipline had been issued. These can be accessed by
following this link: http://www.um.edu.mt/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/10868/
discipline_regulations.pdf
Quality Assurance Unit
In May 2015 Senate appointed a Quality Assurance Committee (QAC) to review the
current QA structures of the University so as to ensure that the quality culture of the
University is enhanced further. The University has already undergone an institutional
audit in the last months and a report is expected to be published and made available to
the public shortly. Mr Alexander Spiteri, Senior Executive within the Quality Assurance
Unit is currently meeting with Deans and Faculty Officers to discuss QA at the UoM
and to lay the necessary foundations for the setting up of new QA mechanisms and the
review of existing ones.
University Examinations in Hospitals
From the next Examination Session, students admitted to hospital during examinations
will be given the option of sitting for their examinations in hospital. Students will be
asked to sign a statement/disclaimer confirming that they are accepting such
arrangements. The matter is still under discussion and Faculties/Institutes/Centres/School
will be informed of arrangements in due course
Campus News
Health & Safety Services Training Courses
The Occupational Health & Safety Services will be organising a number of training
courses from February to April 2016.
Only University of Malta employees are eligible to apply for training courses organised
by the Occupational Health & Safety Services. These courses are offered free of charge
to all employees.
Acceptance to these courses is subject to approval by the Occupational Health &
Safety Services and the Office for Human Resources Management & Development.
Interested participants are kindly requested to fill in the application form available on the
HRMD website and return the filled form via email to training.hrmd@um.edu.mt.
University Matters
Ms Patricia Camilleri, Director of the Communications & Alumni Relations Office, is
presenting a new series of 'University Matters' on CampusFM. During this series of
programmes (28 minutes duration and conducted in English) Ms Camilleri will be talking
to staff about their research and also about activities that they organise.
Staff who would like to participate in 'University Matters' to discuss research and/or a
specific activity/project, can send an email on comms@um.edu.mt with an indication of the
research project or activity and a brief bio-note.
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Campus News
Web Hosting for Projects
Staff coordinating the setup of a website for a University-related project are advised to
contact IT Services at web.itservices@um.edu.mt to discuss their requirements. IT
Services can assist staff with the following:
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Drafting technical specifications for the provision of the design and development of
the project website
Evaluating technical specifications offered by suppliers
Providing hosting on the University servers for websites based on the WordPress
CMS.
It is important that staff consult IT Services before proceeding with procurement
procedures related to web design and development services.
'Bumalift' to University
KSU and the Green Travel Plan are currently working with creators of the car pooling app
'Bumalift' to identify a long-term solution for car pooling to University. Commuters who
get a lift will have to pay a small fee (less than the bus fare), whilst the drivers will collect
tokens every time they give a lift to anyone; the tokens can then be exchanged for
vouchers (example fuel vouchers).
All details are available on the website.
Zaar Crowfunding Platform
The University of Malta and the Malta Business Bureau have set up a Foundation for the
Promotion of Entrepreneurial Initiatives to promote entrepreneurship in Malta and
support local start-ups and entrepreneurs to raise finances for their projects and business
ideas. More information on this initiative can be accessed online: www.zaar.com.mt
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Humour
We have all heard Adele’s song... Here is an academic version ;)
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