Important Contact Numbers Emergency number: 112 Mater Dei Hospital: Tel: +356 2545 0000 Gzira Health Centre: Tel: +356 2133 7244 Floriana Health Centre: Tel: +356 2124 3314 Msida Police Station: Tel: +356 2133 2289 KSU Office: Tel: +356 2340 2104 Yanica Sant: +356 7921 3370 Thomas Naudi: +356 7900 0807 Email: international@ksu.org.mt University of Malta: Tel: +356 2340 2340
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CONTENTS
KSU ACTIVE STUDENT CAMPUS MAP ACCOMMODATION UNIVERSITY OF MALTA FACTS
WHAT TO DO WHILE IN MALTA
FINDING ASSISTANCE FAQS
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KSU KSU stands for Kunsill Studenti Universitarji, which means University Students Council. KSU is the oldest national student union in Europe, founded in 1901. The KSU executive members are elected annually by full-time University of Malta students. On an international level, KSU is a full member of ESU (European Students Union) and a founding member of MEDNET (Mediterranean Network Student Representatives). The KSU office can be found in Students’ House (map no. 21) and is open everyday. Feel free to drop by the office, or contact the members via the KSU mobile app for whatever you may need! We will help as best we can. KSU also organises annual events such as Freshers’ Week, Campus Fest, Students Fest, Graduation Ball, One World Fair, International Cuisine Night and others – we look forward to seeing you there, and also participating in these events! In 2012, KSU launched the Smart Phone Application which is available for iOS and for Android. Simply search for KSU in the App or Play store and download the app! There are many useful features on this app, including an interactive campus map – one which will guide you to your lecture hall from wherever you may be situated on campus!
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Name: Thomas Naudi (AKA Noddy) Age: 21 Course: Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing (Honors) Languages: English, Maltese, Italian, Spanish, French Hobbies: Travelling + Football Bad Habits: Biting my nails & staying out late Music Genre: Hip-hop and RnB Dream Country to Visit: New Zealand
Yanica and Thomas were elected to KSU International Office in May 2013. During their term they intend to strengthen the ties between the local and international students, as well as making KSU a go-to point for all international students. The KSU International Office has very good relations with the European Students Union and the Mediterranean Network of Student Unions, and attends the annual ESU board meetings in order to represent the University of Malta students internationally.
Name : Yanica Sant Age: 21 Course: Bachelor of Laws Languages: Maltese, English, Italian, French Hobbies: Travelling and politics Bad habits: Always late Music genre: Indie Rock Dream country to visit: India Feel free to contact Yanica and Thomas whenever you encounter any difficulty during your stay at the University of Malta, or even if you don’t!
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Institute of Agriculture Archeology Centre Main Gate Precincts Office European Documentation Research Centre / Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies International Maritime Law Institute Mikiel Anton Vassalli Lecture Centre / Students’ Advisory Service Architecture & Civil Engineering Bldg. Malta University Services / Counselling Laws / Theology Economics, Management & Accountancy/ social Work / Youth Studies Programme Playschool P.P Saydon Hall Centre for Communication Technology Lecture Centre / ESI Hall & F.Ebejer Hall Library / Computer Services Centre
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Old Humanities Building – Arts / Education Temi Zammit Hall Office of the Rector / Communication Office / Adminstration Board Administration Building / Messengers’ Office Student’s House / Canteen / KSU Office & Common Room Atriju Vassalli (Quadrangle)
Engineering Workshops Computer Tower Maths & Physics Building Mediterranean Institute Farmhouse Engineering Building Biomedical Sciences Pharmacy Building Chemistry / Pharmacology & Therapeutics 31 Prof. John Borg Hall (SLT) 32 Tennis Courts 33 St. Thomas Moore Chapel / Dar Manwel Magri 34 Estate & Works Building 35 Matsec Support Unit 36 HSBC ATM 37 BOV ATM 38 Public Tranport outside Main Gate CP01-06 Car Parks
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There are
some 11,000 UNIVERSITY OF MALTA students including over (UOM) 650 international students from FACTS 77 different countries, following fulltime or part-time degree and diploma courses!
UoM: is it just one campus?
Who runs the University of Malta?
The main campus is situated at Msida. However, there are two other campuses; One in Valletta and the other on Malta’s sisterisland, Gozo. The Valletta campus which is housed in the Old University Building also serves as a prestigious setting for the hosting of international conferences, seminars, short courses and summer schools. It is also the venue of the University’s International Collaborative Masters Programme.
The principal officers of the University are the Chancellor, the Pro-Chancellor, the Rector, the Pro-Rectors, the Registrar, the Deans of the Faculties as well as the Finance Officer and the Librarian. The main governing bodies are the Council, the Senate and the Faculty Boards.
The Gozo Campus, where part-time evening degree and diploma courses in various areas of study are offered, also provides a venue for short courses and seminars and it houses the Guesten Atmospheric Research Centre, within the Physics Department. 8
How many people graduate from the University of Malta? An average of 3,000 students graduate every year from the University of Malta. Ban Ki-moon, the current Secretary General of the United Nations, was awarded a Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa) degree from the University of Malta in 2009. Italy’s famous actor Roberto Benigni and Malta’s world leading opera singer Joseph Calleja were awarded Doctor of Literature (Honoris Causa) in 2008 and 2012 respectively. The current President of Malta, the Prime Minister and the Leader of Opposition all have first degrees from the University of Malta. Malta’s Eurovision Song Contest Representative for the year 2013, Gianluca Bezzina, graduated as a medical doctor from this university last year.
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International & EU Office UoM The staff at this office happily take on the task of managing the University’s international relations and the welfare of the international students. These people were probably amongst the first you met upon your arrival at the University, and just like us, they will help you with whatever you may need. KSU closely collaborates with this office in order to make your stay at the University of Malta less complicated and more focused!
Students Advisory Services The Students Advisory Services aims to provide prospective and current students at the University of Malta with the necessary information and advice in order to make informed and sensible choices.
Toga Rental KSU offers a system whereby students may rent togas at affordable prices. Togas can be rented via the ksu website at very affordable rates. http://www.ksu.org.mt/services/togarentals
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ACTIVE STUDENT University can either be that place where you come solely for the lectures, or you could seek a more fulfilling experience... become an active student on campus! Take part in KSU’s Students Fest (musical), or even join a student organisation!
What are organisations?
There are currently over 50 student organisations at the University of Malta. These vary from faculty-based organisations, to sport organisations, international and even political organisations. Most of these organisations have websites or social media pages, however if you’re not sure which organisation to approach and how, feel free to pop by the KSU office for our assistance. You could also have a look at the Fresher’s Week magazine published by KSU, where, towards the end, there’s a list and description of all the organisations present within the University. The list of organisations is also available here:
http://www.ksu.org.mt/representation/student-organisations
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N ACCOMMODATIO
If you’re in Malta, you’ve probably got this covered already. However if not, feel free to check out the range of properties advertised on the KSU website on www.ksu.org. mt/services/accommodation. We guarantee that all the properties on the website are ideal for students.
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As we’re sure you’ve already heard, coming to study in Malta was not only a good choice because campus life is great, but also because there’s plenty to do even outside the University walls! Right outside the University gates, one is faced by a number of eateries where you can spend your lecture breaks. However don’t limit yourself! The bus terminus is only 50 metres away from the University gates. Catch a bus and head to Sliema or Valletta, lovely cities – both great for shopping! When you’re tired from shopping you can head to one of many franchises you are familiar wit, such as McDonalds, which we are sure needs no introduction! Valletta is also the only city in the world to be listed as a UNESCO heritage site. We guarantee that it’s worth a visit. There are many Museums and Galleries worth visiting such as:
DOMUS ROMANA This is an ancient Roman house featuring mosaic pavements, as well as an illustration of Hellenistic pictorial culture with fine technique. It can be found in Rabat or at +35621454125.
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ST JOHN’S CO CATHEDRAL MUSEUM
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS
Described as the first example of the high Baroque. One of Caravaggio’s most famous paintings; ‘The Beheading of St. John’ can be found here. It is found St John’s Square in Valletta.
The fine arts collection ranges from the Renaissance. Italian Baroque features mainly Mattea Preti and paintings by Caravaggio, Mattia Stomer and Jean Valentin de Boulogne and by Guido Reni. This can be found in South Street Valletta or at +35622954341.
Malta Malta is also home to the oldest free standing monument in the World; much older than Stonehenge (UK); Hagar Qim Temples: These temples date from around 3000 to 3200 BC and overlook the sea.
We haven’t forgotten the nightlife – Paceville is the party town in Malta. This is the place where most young people spend their time in the evening on the weekends (or in the week if up for it)! Here one may find an array of nightclubs, with one of the favourites being Havana Club, situated right in the centre of Paceville. When you get hungry at night, pop by the famous Hard Rock Café, situated in the shopping Complex of Baystreet for some delicious food with the added option of souvenirs to add to the collection! 16
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Gozo Gozo is the sister island of Malta and also has a lot to offer. It is famous for its Natural Landmark – the Azure Window. Gozo’s capital city is situated in the centre of the island, on the highest point on the island; it includes the fortified town of Cittadella. It also offers uniquely red sanded beaches such as the one situated in Xaghra.
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Food in Malta Malta’s traditional food is influenced heavily by the Mediterranean cuisine. The most popular dish is fried rabbit or rabbit stew. A typical Maltese snack is pastizzi, which consists of pastry filled with ricotta or peas. Malta also has its very own soft drink Kinnie; whilst Cisk is the most popular Maltese beer. We do recommend you try these beverages – we will have them stocked at the Official International Students welcome party!
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS) Where do I find my semester timetable? This often depends on the different faculties: some will choose to upload it on the faculty website, for example: www.um.edu.mt/laws, while other faculties might choose to place it on the noticeboard outside the faculty building. If you don’t manage to find it in either of these two locations, we suggest you contact the faculty secretary. What happens if I lose something? To enquire about a lost item feel free to send an email to lostfound@um.edu.mt or call on +356 2340 2846 or on +356 2340 2809. The lost and found items can be found on the website of the University of Malta: http:// www.um.edu.mt/nocentries/notices/lostandfound. What sport facilities are available on campus? The sports facilities can be found down the stairs behind the IT services. There is a fitness centre, a racing track as well as football pitches. If you’d like more information regarding sports on campus, we suggest you contact the Malta University Sports Club on info@musc.org.mt. How will I know what activities will be ongoing at the University of Malta? We hope you have subscribed to our emailing list, if not, send us an email on international@ksu. org.mt and we’ll make sure you are! We will frequently send emails informing you of upcoming events. You should also check out the KSU facebook page which is also constantly updated with events. 20
Is it always sunny in Malta? We’d like to say yes! And to be fair, it’s very often sunny in Malta, but don’t underestimate the winter cold. Malta’s humid and even though it rarely goes below 7 degrees Celsius, you should still pack a jacket and a pair of boots! What happens if I get sick while in Malta? We hope that you won’t need the answer to this question, but if the need arises, Malta boasts excellent free healthcare, which is also free and available for all EU nationals. Mater Dei Hospital is situated right beside the University of Malta, and is hence only a 5 minute walk away from Campus. EU Nationals must remember to present the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) as well as proof of their EU nationality. I have arrived in Malta, does this mean that I do not require a Visa or other documentation? Council of Europe, USA and Commonwealth nationals do not requires a visa to enter Malta for a stay of less than 3 months, however all international students who will be staying on for longer than 3 months, should apply for an e-residence document. For further assistance, please contact the University of Malta International Office. The friendly staff here will be more than happy to guide you. Are lectures held in Maltese? The official language of the University of Malta is English and if a lecturer happens to switch to Maltese, draw his attention to the fact that you do not understand the language. If he does not change or it happens constantly, feel free to contact the KSU Education Office at education@ksu.org.mt
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Authors: Yanica Sant and Thomas Naudi Editor: Sean Mallia Designer: Lara Cassar Delia V.O. Number : VO/0531 Publication Date September 2013
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