FTFEĠ supports annual student awards at MCAST Institute for the Creative Arts

Five students attending the MCAST Institute for the Creative Arts received awards at their annual exhibition and festival, with the theme Rotot, earlier this month.

President Emeritus Ugo Mifsud Bonnici, chairman of the Tumas Fenech Foundation for Education in Journalism (FTFEĠ), stressed the importance that journalists cultivate the Maltese language as their principal communication tool, just as it is important for journalists in Malta writing in local newspapers in English to have a good command of that language.

Journalists need to select their words – in both languages – carefully, and not simply grab a word from another language and use it.

Dr Mifsud Bonnici appealed to the students to go beyond producing work that would be merely popular: “The artist should not only look at what people desire,” he affirmed. The work presented must communicate a message.

“The artist is a creative voice and creativity has to have originality.” He urged the students to find their own voice, develop their talents and not simply pander to people’s prejudices.

Tyrone Grima, director of the Institute of Creative Arts (ICA), announced the winners in the presence of the new MCAST chairman, Frederick Schembri:

Best Work in Photography Matthew Balzan;

Best Work in Journalism Liam Carter;

Best Work in Film (Fiction) Leon Virgo (in absentia);

Best Non-Fiction Film Making Carlo Musco; and

Best Original Media Work Jessica Worley.

FTFEĠ secretary Malcolm J. Naudi recalled that it was the foundation that spearheaded the initiative for the introduction of a BA (Hons) in Journalism, with the immediate, effective response of the education minister. So, it is of great satisfaction for the foundation to continue to remain linked to the institute and to see that this relationship will continue in the years ahead.

“I encourage the students to continue to make an effort to study and to pursue a future in journalism,” he said.

Mr Grima paid tribute to the lecturing team at the ICA, notably Ian Attard, co-ordinator of Creative Media that includes Journalism; Dominic Tringali, who looked after the set-up of the exhibition; Gary Hampton, for photography; Chris Francalanza, who teaches both journalism and creative media; and Chris Scicluna. He also thanked the FTFEĠ for their support.

President Emeritus Dr Mifsud Bonnici with MCAST chairman Frederick Schembri (on his right), FTFEĠ secretary Malcolm J. Naudi (first from left) and the four students who collected trophies during the ICA awards with Mr Grima and Mr Attard on right

President Emeritus Dr Ugo Mifsud Bonnici, chairman of the Tumas Fenech Foundation for Education in Journalism, presenting the Best Original Work in Media award to Jessica Worley with Tyrone Grima, director of the Institute of Creative Arts (first from...