in TOUCH May 2013
Issue 8
A vision which became a reality
How it all started
The ‘evolution’ of S-Cubed’s publications
Expanding the circle
Meet our Sub-Committees
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A vision which became a reality How it all started
12 Expanding the circle
Getting to know our sub-committees
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Members tell their story: the S-Cubed experience What they learnt from being part of the executive
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The ‘evolution’ of S-Cubed’s Publications
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The City of Lights Our recent trip to Paris in collaboration with the CNRS and French Embassy in Malta
18 Vox Pop
Students share their thoughts
years on... is bright 20 Tenthe future Exciting times ahead for our organisations
Address: Office number 12, Science Students’ Society, Students’ House, University of Malta, Tal-Qroqq, Msida MSD 2080 E-mail: Telephone: info@scubed.org.mt +356 9923 4771 Design: Front Cover: Printing Unit, University of Malta J.P. Formosa
S-Cubed Committee 2012-2013: Michael Buhagiar Timothy Debono Johann Galdies Martina Mizzi Elena Schembri
www.scubed.org.mt
Marija Cini Chris Desira Eman Mifsud Anna Pulo Ryan Sultana
recycle Please recycle this copy after reading it.
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Editorial
A Johann Galdies is a second year student currently reading for a degree in B.Sc. (Hons.) in Biology and Chemistry, and is currently the Education Officer of the Science Students’ Society.
s this scholastic year soon reaches its end, so does the term for the current S-Cubed executive team. This year has been a very important one for our organisation since it has celebrated its 10th year since its founding back in April 2003. To commemorate this milestone, a formal reception was organised on the 7th April, and all past executive committee members were invited to attend. It was a very touching moment, listening to the excitement and feedback of past executive members who were so happy to see the organisation still going strong from the time they were students, and will hopefully continue to grow in the years to come! Needless to say, we are indebted to you students, members of S-Cubed, because it is your constant support and participation that keeps us going. In addition to this, several other new and exciting initiatives were introduced this year, one of these being Share!t, a project aimed at providing a platform for students to enhance their public speaking skills and promote discussion and informal learning. This
complements the video tutorials on practical chemistry techniques which have received praise both locally and internationally. This year, we have also launched a new website, and improved our science outreach campaign with primary schools through collaboration with St James Cavalier and the Malta Chamber of Scientists; in addition to top-quality social events such as ‘The Laboratory’ Party. All in all it has been one busy yet rewarding year. This issue focuses on our beloved organisation, featuring various articles from executive members throughout the years. We also shed some light on previous publications produced by our society, while also getting to know the students who are currently active in different subcommittees within S-Cubed. We do hope you enjoy this special anniversary edition! The editorial team Martina Mizzi Johann Galdies Michael Buhagiar
Martina Mizzi is currently the Public Relations Officer of the Science Students’ Society and is presently in her third year of studies reading for a degree in B.Sc. (Hons.) in Biology and Chemistry.
www.societyofbiology.org Michael Buhagiar is currently the President of the Science Students’ Society and is in his final year of studies, reading for a degree in B.Sc. (Hons.) Chemistry with materials.
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A vision which became a reality
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Debbie Vella was the founding President of S-Cubed in 2003, and is currently teaching Chemistry at Giovanni Curmi Higher Secondary School.
ack in 2001, we were a group of 18-yearolds working our way through Freshers’ week. Our own Freshers’ week was quite hectic, there was no official student support and we had to find our way through the faculty, trying to find the room allocation, getting lost in the back corridors of the chemistry department, working out timetables from all the different notice boards, and so on. It was a good time, we were a small group of 15 students studying biology and chemistry or chemistry and physics and we happened to get along very well from day one, helping each other in all aspects of our academic and social lives. Through this, we built strong friendships which are still there today. Help from 3rd years and 4th years was also appreciated as they somewhat guided us into the system. I used to ponder about the idea of a situation where everyone could be as lucky as we were and have a support system to help them.
“I had just finished from faculty board, where I had asked for any information about any societies for science students and got to know that there was one known as the USSA, but which was no longer functional” So I found myself walking up to the library one day during my second year, to meet up with my friends and continue my practical write up whilst thinking about this. I had just finished from faculty board, where I had asked for any information about any societies for science students and got to know that there was one known as the USSA, but which was no longer functional. I went up the back stairs of library and called my friend Rachel. I told her, ‘I have an idea!’. I had known Rachel for years and she knew that this meant that I had an idea and she would most probably be asked to give as much help as possible. And that was it. We started
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discussing the option of creating a society. The question was where to start from? I approached all the people in my course and four of them decided that they would help me make this idea become a reality. We started working on the framework of the fundamental principles that would help us show what purpose and function this society had to be there for. We managed to obtain a room in the Maths and Physics department where could meet and we used to meet there nearly every day, always coming up with new ideas. At the same time we were approaching different people from the different B.Sc. streams (students taking maths, physics, IT, computer studies or statistics) to try and have more people on board. New people
end of the scholastic year (June 2002) we had established a name, a logo and the statute. S3 (S-Cubed) was chosen as it involved all of us – Science Students’ Society. We were also appointed as the first official committee and by the beginning of 2003 we started working for the students of the faculty. We were there during Freshers’ week for the first year students, we had a football tournament, a Christmas party and a careers convention. We tried to have an activity every month and our doors were always open for communication with everyone. The society was working well and it gained momentum over the year. When we went up to 4th year, we gave a handover to other students as we had to focus on our thesis and had to give space for others to take up the ideals of the society.
bring with them new ideas, and have different competences which make such a group more complete. Also we thought it would give us the opportunity to hear the voices of all the students from the varied B.Sc. course. This was very important for me. In unity there is strength and I was sure that by having all the different subjects united under what it really is one faculty, the Faculty of Science, would make us a strong faculty, where students are there for each other. Our call was heard and students from other subjects did in fact come to give their contribution. So there we were the nine of us with the same goal, but enriched with different qualities. The first group was made up of Nathalie Ellul, Rachel Decelis, Nicholas Barbara, Trevor Giles Chircop Bray, Erica Carabott, Duncan Bartolo, Matthew Agius, Joel Azzopardi and myself, Debbie Vella. There were different things that had to be decided upon - from basic things such as a name and logo to other more difficult tasks such as how to attract the attention of our fellow students and help them feel part of this society. The Faculty of Science is a very big faculty, given all the different B.Sc. options offered and up till then the division between the groups was really felt. We agreed that this society
had to be the society where all our fellow students should feel they belonged so we agreed that we wouldn’t decide about anything without first consulting all the people involved.
“I was even happier when a person I had taught years ago and for whom I have a lot of respect, Michael Buhagiar, told me that he was the current S-Cubed president and that S-Cubed was celebrating its 10th anniversary. So we started posting posters all around the faculty. These posters had questions such as ‘Do you know what’s happening?’ ‘Do you want to be part of it?’, questions which at the time we thought would attract attention. At the time Facebook did not exist, and all adverts were quite rudimentary compared to today. We used to go to all the classes to get ideas about names, and we launched a logo competition. We had a good response and at the end of 2002 we called an AGM and the turnout was quite good. By the www.scubed.org.mt
Years later I was reading for my masters and I came across a magazine which was written by S-Cubed. I couldn’t believe my eyes and phoned quickly Rachel and Nathalie to tell them that S-Cubed was going strong. It was a moment of pride, thinking that S-Cubed had survived even after we left. I was even happier when a person I had taught years ago and for whom I have a lot of respect, Michael Buhagiar, told me that he was the current S-Cubed president and that S-Cubed was celebrating its 10th anniversary. I am glad that there is a support system for all science students as it makes it easier for everyone to integrate and feel part of a community and part of University. I think having activities to attend organised by your own faculty’s society is very important and it gives a sense of responsibility and pride to those that make it work. I would like to thank the Dean at the time, Prof. Alfred Vella for the support given to us at the time in terms of space where to work from, and constant advice. I would also like to thank Prof Victor Axiak and Prof. Patrick J. Schembri and Prof Richard Muscat for their constant support and constant words of advice. I would also like to thank the other lecturers, secretaries and all the people involved in creating this society. Finally I would like to thank all the members of the original committee and all the committees following that for keeping our dream a reality, a reality which has been and still is of great support to science students.
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Members tell their s the S-Cubed experi T
Matthew Agius is one of the founding members of S-Cubed, serving the role of Webmaster between 2003-2004. He is currently working as a Research Officer.
en years ago I would have never imagined of setting up a science student society that would last for more than a decade. I have always thought that a society focused primarily on the needs of science students was desirable at university. But, unfortunately, the small number of science students, sparsed by their various specialised subjects, kept a low demand for such a society and also made it difficult to find committed individuals. It was only when I was in my third year B.Sc. that I came across posters along the Faculty of Science corridors urging science students to come together to form a society and that an informal meeting was to take place. I made sure to attend and I also took along Joel Azzopardi. Both of us were new faces to the highly motivated, younger group of students - the brains behind the setting up of the society.
The early days required that all of us familiarise ourselves with what it involves in setting up the society. We discovered that a university science students association has been in existence but laid dormant. Although reviving this association would have meant that it would have fasttracked many of the paper work required by the Kunsill Studenti Universitarji, this association owed large amounts of money to the banks that we would have to settle first. It was unanimously decided that the way forward was setting up a new association. Rapid progress was made in the following weeks: establishing contact with KSU, drafting of the statute, holding a student information meeting, acquiring a society meeting room within the Faculty of Science, and, establishing the first elected committee. Our first major event was Freshers’ Week in October 2003. This was a very successful weeklong event whereby we manned a stand on campus in order to promote the new society and answer student questions, organised an introductory meeting for freshers’ students, and gathered contacts of new students to set up a database. The success of Freshers’ Week was a stimulus not just for us as a committee but also for the new students who then they knew who
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to talk to in case they were in some academic difficulty. This also encouraged other students to take an active role in the society. Forming part of S-Cubed was, in a way, preparing me for the real world. Whether it is in academia, industry, or any other organisation I learnt how to work in a team and how to release the highest potential from a team’s synergy. During my Ph.D. studies at Trinity College Dublin my experience led me to become President of the Digital Arts Society.
“I have always thought that a society focused primarily on the needs of science students was desirable at university” I encourage students to participate in student societies in their respective interests - if no organization meets their interest then form a team and create one. My only regret is that S-Cubed was not founded earlier in my course as it would have helped me build stronger friendships. The entire founding committee is very delighted to learn that the strong motivation the society was initiated still lives, and we hope that it will continue to grow for the next decade and more.
story: ience
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entered Freshers’ Week for the very first time with an air of excitement – there seemed to be a lot going on and I wanted to be part of it. I set out to look for my Faculty’s representing organisation and, before I knew it, I was whisked into the Science Students’ Society, applying to be part of the executive within weeks of my entry at the University of Malta.
Marie Claire is a final year student reading for a B.Sc. in Biology and Chemistry. She served as part of the S-Cubed executive during her first three years at University and is currently at the end of her term as KSU Social Policy Commissioner.
Being a part of the S-Cubed executive for three years radically moulded my University life. It served as a platform to get to know many students from different courses in my Faculty, as well as students across University who were active in other student organisations, both through social events, and by working with these people on projects and discussions.
“Being a part of the S-Cubed executive for three years radically moulded my University life” Being active at University opened a door to the bigger picture and a more holistic University experience. Moreover, it provided me with an opportunity to gain a variety of skills which could not be obtained simply by spending my University days attending lectures and working on assignments. I started finding myself in
constant contact with different people – peers and professionals – and learning important people skills. Some of these people were addressing complaints, and sometimes I was the one forwarding complaints, and I soon learnt that there are effective (and non-effective) ways of receiving and delivering complaints in line with University structures and procedures. I learnt how to take on responsibilities, deliver results and coordinate people’s efforts to reach a common goal. All this while balancing lectures, meeting assignment deadlines and studying for exams, it’s an essential skill to make the time! Allowing one’s self to learn from colleagues with more experience grants rewarding development. This learning curve was especially possible in S-Cubed, since during my terms I always worked with a team that was committed to our aims and this created the will to work professionally and deliver better quality to our members. Looking back, I have very fond memories from my time in S-Cubed. Being part of a team is always a very bonding experience, through all the ups and downs that come along. I feel I have given a lot and I’ve received twice as much and what I’ve gained will be expressed in the situations I will find myself in in the future, including my career.
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Karl Agius holds a B.Sc. (Hons.) in Biology and Chemistry and an M.Sc. in Biology. He is currently reading a Ph.D. in Ecotourism and is the organisor of various national science popularisation events. Karl is also a student representative on the European Students’ Union (ESU) and an Honorary President of S-Cubed.
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Vella and an introduction about the 7 Back in April 2006 I was asked to join Alfred departments of the Faculty (back then CIS and the Science Students’ Society (S-Cubed) CS&AI departments formed an integral part of executive board. This was the second the faculty before the faculty of ICT was formed). time that I had been asked to join. I decided to accept the invitation this “We named this publication ‘In Situ’ time round only with the proviso that (just for Science), a Latin term which I would leave if this would not be an means ‘in place’ and which is widely interesting experience. used in different fields of science”
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ust after exams the board met to construct a work plan which had to be completed throughout the summer just before Freshers’ Week. One of the key issues discussed was the publication of a magazine for science students. So far S-Cubed had only printed some leaflets but never a publication since its foundation in 2003. Therefore we decided to kick off what was an ambitious project for us. Back then it was not easy to seek funding for a publication of an organization with little awareness at all. We worked hard to convince some sponsors and managed to get some good companies on board to support us. We named this publication ‘In Situ’, a Latin term which means ‘in place’ and which is widely used in many different fields of science. In analogy, the magazine had to put science students in place for the coming year; gearing up to what university life in the faculty of science is all about. This magazine included an address from then President of S-Cubed Vince Marmara, the Dean of the Faculty of Science then Prof. www.scubed.org.mt
The magazine also included an introduction to KSU, how to waste less time during studying, career opportunities in ICT, contributions from NGOs in the field of Natural Sciences, an academic article on astronomy and also the traditional article by the Editor Matthew Mifsud on relationships. This publication, the very first one of S-Cubed was distributed in October 2006 and was a great hit even if it was not something out of this world when it comes to design, but let’s say that students gave us positive feedback and we ended up with no more copies to distribute. The following year 2007, was a difficult period for S-Cubed, most of the executive board decided to move on and we ended up 4 in the executive. Now even more than ever as an executive we had to do our best to attract more students to join the board and thus we had to communicate better. Hence once again we decided to publish a second magazine to distribute to all the Freshers but this time we made it a point to also improve our design and focus more on non science articles. In fact we named the magazine ‘In Situ: not just Science’. Once again this magazine included articles about the organistion and our work, information about the Faculty of Science, an article on research by Prof. Richard Muscat ( Pro-Rector for Research Affairs), some weird facts about science, an article on social responsibilities and the environment, fashion and a diary of a fresher student. We also introduced a competition area and a science
comic designed by one of our students. Following this a subcommittee was formed and a series of A5 newsletter magazine were printed with the title still being ‘In Situ’. However due to lack of funds these had to be printed in black and white and photocopied. The articles issued in such newsletters can still be seen online at http://preview5. awardspace.com/insitu.org/index.htm. One particular edition featured a survey on BIO 3060 Field Biology, outlining the heavy workload of the study unit for just 4 ECTS. This article had ended up on the Agenda on the Faculty Board of Science. Back then I used to serve as a student representative on this board and remember clearly the heated discussions. This survey was very effective and in fact the Biology Department had taken the issue very seriously. Truly our publications had become effective. The following year in October 2008 S-Cubed went one further step and printed the first A4 magazine in full colour with the title ‘Modern Scientist’. One could clearly observe the change of pace which S-Cubed had made when it came to its publications. As an organization we continued to attract even more sponsors and took the publication to a further quality leap introducing more diverse articles for the interest of all science students.
Following this publication S-Cubed printed 3 newsletters (A4, 2 pages) in full colour with the name ‘In Touch’. The newsletters were issued in November 2008, December 2008 and February 2009. The aim of these newsletters was mainly to communicate our work with students and to promote our events. In October 2009, just before Freshers Week we printed our second A4 magazine in full colour, the name of the magazine was ‘In Touch with future scientists’. This magazine is still being printed by S-Cubed till today and has reached its 8th issue. And just to continue the sentence with which I started off this article, I ended up spending most of my years at University in S-Cubed, apart from being involved in such publications, I served as Secretary between April 06 and April 07, and President between May 07 and November 09. Truly this was an exciting experience from which I have learnt a lot. When I was President, S-Cubed had celebrated its 5th Anniversary and this year S-Cubed is celebrating its 10th www.scubed.org.mt
Anniversar y. Time passed, S-Cubed continued to gain results in science student representation. I thank all those who have served in this organization and also the current executive for all their dedication and commitment but mostly the founding committee, 10 years later their cause still has an aim and is still relevant.
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ays S-Cubed has alw f o s im a le p ci by One of the prin science students st g n o m a y it n u ipate been to promote willing to partic re a o h w se o th s and encouraging all ciety’s activitie so e th in le ib ss body as much as po nt that not every e id ev is it h g u that projects. Altho does not mean is th r, e b m e m c y the can be an exe e participation b iv ct a re o m r fo ective there is no room dy. The most eff o b t n e d u st ce n gh the rest of the scie chieved is throu a e b n ca is th nd so way in which b-committees, a su f o g in n n ru e new setting up and ured to organis o av e d n e e av h bers. this year we n-executive mem o n f o lp e h e th activities with
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Science Communication Subcommittee: Left to right: John Paul Mizzi, Rebecca Camilleri & Julian Chircop ( absent: William Hicklin).
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“With the help of two guides we went to landmarks such as Notre Dame, the Louvre palace and its gardens and various bridges of both Napoleon and Louis XIV”
A Ryan Sultana is currently the International Officer of S-Cubed and is reading for a degree in B.Sc. (Hons.) in Biology and Chemistry.
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s we set foot on dry land I look around and see everyone shedding scarves and jackets and staring blankly in thin air as if they are all day dreaming. I cannot blame their bewilderment. It has been an amazing week and home is very different from the city of lights. The memories are still fresh and I can still see the iconic tower flashing in the night sky and hear the accordion being played on the metro. There are no simple words to describe our feelings and there are even less appropriate adjectives to give praise to the beautiful Paris. We landed at Orly airport early in the morning and then headed to the Latin district in central Paris. The coach made way through characteristic straight Parisian streets until we arrived at Oops!
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hostel, a small but very well kept cosy place. After settling in we snatched a map, dressed up against the frigid cold and left to explore our surroundings. Not far up ahead, the street comes to a large square known as Place d’Italie where we found restaurants, cafeterias and a metro station. Some of us took initiative and had their first experience in the metro. I would describe this underground world as a different city for itself, with all the bustling going on, the sound of shutting doors and the common performances of musicians going on and off every line. Our first day came to an end in a local bar where we had the chance to get to know each other better as well as making some new friends from Paris. Next day we had the chance to see the city more closely. With the help of two guides we
went to landmarks such as Notre Dame, the Louvre palace and its gardens and various bridges of both Napoleon and Louis XIV. The bubbly re-enactments of historical episodes by our tour guide Billy made the trip around Paris one to remember. Later, we visited Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie, a very large scientific museum in which we could learn about different scientific phenomena and innovations; like new sustainable building materials. We also had an outer-planetary journey in a planetarium that took us around the world and as far away as the beginning of our universe. On Monday we left for Orsay and we visited the Laboratoire de Photonique et de Nanostructures (LPN). Here we learnt about new methods of creating nano-scale electronic wafers (chips) and about quantum dots in microcavities formed in these semiconductors. Later we visited the Institut des Hautes Études Scientifiques (IHES) which is a very serene and welcoming environment for mathematicians, physicists and other scientists who are invited to this sanctuary to have a quiet place in which to work and come up with what might be revolutionary ideas in science. IHES has hosted a large number of field medalists since it was founded in 1958. Afterwards, we divided into two groups and each group went to either SOLEIL Synchrotron or Institut d’Imagerie Biomédicale. I had the chance to go around SOLEIL and we were shown how electrons are accelerated within the facility so that different waves of light are used for different experiments carried out in situ. Next up was École Normale Supérieure on Tuesday, a highly esteemed campus in France and around the world. We were given presentations about different research being carried out in the science departments as well as a brief history on the school itself. A short walk away from here was Institut Curie. First we were briefed on the history of the institute and how it all started thanks to the discoveries of radioactivity by Marie Curie. Then the
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different sections of the institute were addressed, mainly the hospitals and the research facilities used to learn and further our knowledge on cancer and related diseases. We were also given a tour around the labs and explained how research works as well as being shown how fruit flies are grown, used and examined for the study of stem cells and cancer. The Marie Curie museum was our last stop. The desk on which she sat, the clothes which she wore and the books given to her for winning two Nobel Prizes were only some of the objects of interest on site. It was also fascinating to see the way in which people thought about radioactivity in the 40’s and how this was used as a marketing strategy to sell beauty products. Overall, our visit to Paris was and will remain a trip to remember. I learnt a lot about research in a foreign country as well as having the chance to experience the beauty of this magnificent city. Without a doubt, all of the site visits
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could not have been possible without the help of Dr Arnaud Lalo and Mr. Edouard Michel from the CNRS Office for the Mediterranean in Malta and the French Embassy in Malta. This event was also supported by the University of
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Malta Degree Plus Scheme. I would also like to thank the people who worked in organizing this trip for their hard work and dedication, especially for those who could not make it to Paris with the rest.
a pher Zearraf Christo Physics, 4th ye d
B.Sc. Maths an
1. Cool e, Parties are awesom 2. Trick question! ar in m se e ienc with the Annual Sc spread over rty pa a g in be ly basical e talks thrown m a weekend with so al Science nu in. However, the An al best . on rs pe a is Gathering end suggested fri a n he w , 3. 2nd year e Gathering nc going to the Scie m current momentu 4. To keep the ing. of ac tivities go
1. Descri ard Maria yAtt t Year em &Ch istry 1s
B.Sc. Biolog 1. Awesome ! is a great Science Gathering 2. I think that the ould be shared by many more experience that sh students. Michael her’s Week when es Fr as w it ve lie 3. I be class and to our Chemistry and Ryan came in ganisation works . e or explained how th maybe regarding ethics, or te, ba de of rt e people 4. Some so mething that mor so be ay m e tic ac lab pr in. could be interested
Thomas Bajada
B.Sc. Biology & Chemistry 1st year 1. Awesome (simple). 2. Science Gathering . 3. Freshers’ Week. 4. S-Cubed organizes various events which are all original, being those educative, adventurous and simply FUN. More events such as Share It ! and other gatherings help the organisation and its members grow stronger. Well Done !
oodlipns) 1st year KirstyisG try ( single ho
Annabelle Vassallo
B.Sc. Chem
1. Enjoyable and always fun to rsatile, interesting ve ite qu e ar ey 2. Th iversity. attend. freshers week at un like g rin du d be Cu St something 3. I heard of ts I would sugges 4. Regarding even hikes and something like picnics , jamming sessions which games could be carried g rin du (like the ones near beaches each other more ow kn to out to get il’). during ‘On the tra
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B.Sc. Maths and Statistics and Operations Research 2nd year.
1. Scientists 2. They are a great way to get to know other science students, make friends and enjoy these years at University. 3. About two years ago, when I first started my course at University, from a friend. 4. I think that trying to introduce students to job opportunties associated with their studies would be a good thing.
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2. Which event
3. When hear a 4. What more
Mark
ibe S-Cubed in one word.
h was the best S-Cubed t that you attended?
n and how did you first about S-Cubed?
Galea B.Sc. C Artificial In omputer Science an telligence and Math d ematics, 2nd year 1. The bridg e be Science dep tween Faculty of 2. Science G artments. at 3. A friend in hering vited me to join him, attend am a visit to CER eeting about N, organised by S-Cubed. 4. Visits to in stitutio science back ns with a ground.
would you like to see from our organisation? Kelly B
B.Sc. Biolo g
riffa
y & Chem
istry 3rd y ear. 1. Creative. 2. The trips abroa experiences. d are my most memora ble 3. I was intr oduced to th e group duri Freshers’ we ng 4. Daytime a ek in my first year. ctivities.
Donatella Bongailas
Mariya Grech
B.Sc. Biology and Chemistry 1st year.
1. Fun!!! 2. All the events I have attended so far were good but I think the best one was The Annual Science Gathering. 3. I first heard about S-Cubed when I was visiting the stands back in October during Fresher’s week. 4. I wouldn’t mind if the activities are more frequent as I have enjoyed every one of them; both the educational ones such as Share !T and others such as The Laboratory: End of Exams Party.
B.Sc. Maths and
1. Awesome 2. Weekend Seminar (never joined them when th ey go abroad, but I guess th ey’re pretty fun aswell!) 3. First year from classm ate 4. I think they’re doing s a pretty good job, thou gh it would be better if more students are involved in their events.
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Musc at
Physics, 4th year
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Ten years on... the future is bright I f you had asked Debbie Vella ten years ago, then founding president of S-Cubed, the question “Where do you think S-Cubed will be in ten years’ time?”, little would she have imagined that the organization which started out as an idea by a small group of students would develop into what it is now; one of the leading and most active student organizations on campus. Undoubtedly this would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of all the executive members who contributed throughout this past decade and who never stopped believing in the fundamental aim of Michael Buhagiar is currently the the organization – which still is to promote unity President of the Science Students’ Society amongst all students of the Faculty of Science. and is in his final year of studies, reading for a degree in B.Sc. (Hons.) Chemistry with materials.
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As my time in S-Cubed draws to a close, I look back with a sense of pride at what we have managed to achieve and the direction which the organisation has set upon in recent years. Throughout this article I would like to share my thoughts on the latter and how I believe the organization is tackling the major challenges it is facing.
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“Our organization has recognized the importance of extending our reach beyond the doors of University to address the ever growing need for more students to pursue a career in Science” Our organization has recognised the importance of extending our reach beyond the doors of University to address the ever growing need for more students to pursue a career in Science. For the past two years, we have visited other scholastic institutions to promote our organization and a career in Science. Yet this year we have ambitiously embarked on a Science Outreach campaign together with the Malta Chamber of Science and St. James Cavalier Centre for Creativity, targeted at primary school
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students, with the intention of sparking an interest in science from an early age through fun science demonstrations and interactive displays. Despite these students being a long way off from choosing to study Science at tertiary level, we believe that if we really want people to take interest in Science, we must work our way back and target students before they have decided what path they intend to take. The results of this bold initiative will not be realized in the near future; however our organization is committed to focusing on the bigger picture. One other challenge we have sought to overcome is the division within our own Faculty. Since our Faculty incorporates a large number of students from different backgrounds and different courses, it is not easy instilling a sense of belonging between all the organization’s members. As has been done in previous years, but most particularly this year we have done our best to branch out and create subcommittees in an effort to encourage students to participate and be active within their society. Social activities such as the Annual Science Gathering have been strengthened and greater emphasis has been made on improving direct communication between the executive and members in the classrooms and on a more personal level. We are by no means there but I believe that we are taking the right approach.
“Since our Faculty incorporates a large number of students from different backgrounds and different courses, it is not easy instilling a sense of belonging between all the organization’s members” and this year in particular we launched two initiatives, the “Share !T” series and the “Video Tutorials” which gave the students themselves an opportunity to learn and teach others through their work, incorporating the very creative use of multimedia in the process. I can’t wait to see these initiatives develop further in years to come.
I also look forward to a day when S-Cubed will grow and extend its activity further beyond University and involve itself more in national and international issues through collaborations on EU projects, voicing opinions over national issues and being the main voice for all science students in Malta, working hand in hand with other local and foreign scientific institutions. Finally, I would like to sign off by thanking all the executive members with whom I have had the pleasure of working with throughout these past two years, for their hard work and friendship and I wish them all the best in their endeavours while at the same time I sincerely hope that S-Cubed will continue growing and improving for many years to come.
In addition, we have always recognized the importance of educational development beyond the lecture room
Degree Plus: add value to your degree
O
ur present day outlook on education recognises the fact that youth development does not necessarily have to be restricted to academic effort; rather many of us acknowledge the need for extracurricular and social activities to be integrated as much as possible with university student life. This concept is fully embraced by the University of Malta, and without this mentality student organisations such as S-Cubed would not even exist. Apart from the various student organisations found on campus, university science students may also
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develop extracurricular skills with the help of the DegreePlus, a programme of the University of Malta sponsored by Bank of Valletta. The aim of this initiative is to give students the opportunity to enhance existing as well as develop new skills in different interests they might have. University is the place where students mature into the adults needed by our society. As with the rest of the student population, science students in particular have much to gain through the various DegreePlus programmes. Some of the DegreePlus courses on offer, which may be of special interest www.scubed.org.mt
to science students, include courses on Fire Safety, First Aid, Health and Safety, CV and Interviewing Skills, Presentation and Public Skills, English for Professional Communication, a multitude of Sports and Outdoor Activities, as well as languages such as Maltese Proficiency classes, French, Spanish, German, which will definitely aid and encourage more students to go on Erasmus study programmes abroad. At the end of their course, the students are presented with a certificate marking their achievement as well as being officially recognised on their results transcript.
The Siegfried Group is a Swiss based Worldwide Life Science Company which develops and manufactures active pharmaceutical ingredients, intermediates, standard controlled substances, and ready-formulated drugs. Siegfried Malta Limited forms part of the Siegfried Group which specializes in high-value and innovative generic portfolio in the Solid Dosage Form range, from bulk to final packaging including capsule filling and High Potent FDA approved products. Professionalism plays a very important role from start to finish ensuring that clients profit from a broad range of technical capabilities and capacities along the value- chain. Expect more with Siegfried. Siegfried Malta Limited is currently expanding, and will be looking into strengthening the current workforce within the next couple of years. Should you be interested in being considered for vacancies which arise from time to time, please submit your Curriculum Vitae by e-mail to hr@siegfried-malta.com.
Siegfried Malta Ltd, HHF070 Hal Far Industrial Estate, Hal Far BBG3000. Malta. www.scubed.org.mt
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