Summer School for students from Xiamen University

A group of twenty students from Xiamen University (the partner university of the University of Malta-UM-within the setup of the Confucius Institute) were accompanied by Colin Wu, the section chief of the general office of international cooperation and exchange of Xiamen University, to attend a brief summer school (4th11th July) at the University of Malta.

Professor Anthony J. Frendo coordinated the academic programme titled “Malta through the Ages in its Mediterranean Context”, whilst Mario L. Cassar managed all logistical aspects. Nine academics delivered eighteen highly interesting lectures ranging from Malta’s prehistoric period to the British period. There were also visits to various sites and museums.

The Chinese participants paid for their own flight tickets, but all their other expenses whilst in Malta were sponsored partly by the Ministry for Education and Employment and partly by the University of Malta. Thanks is thus due to the Minister Evarist Bartolo, Minister of Education and Employment, and to Professor Alfred J. Vella, Rector, University of Malta.

It is hoped that this brief summer school will enhance the links between UM and Xiamen University, and consequently between Malta and China. It is possible that at least some of the Chinese students who participated in this summer school will one day return and help accompany Chinese tourists to our islands, assisting them in understanding our rich heritage.