UM and MCST join forces to represent Malta within EUROfusion programme

At a Press briefing, the University of Malta and the Malta Council for Science and Technology, MCST, launched Malta’s participation in the European Consortium for the Development of Fusion Energy, EUROfusion This is the technology for a commercial fusion power that would provide a clean, safe, and virtually limitless source of energy

EUROfusion has partner institutions in 28 countries across Europe Malta joined the consortium recently Its participation is managed by MCST, which works closely with other national fusion research institutes, while the Malta University is carrying out research activities as a direct beneficiary

Everything came to fruition following a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the University and MCST in 2021, which bestowed the roles of programme managers and programme owners onto the University and MCST, respectively This is also Malta’s first attempt at participating in a research project relating to nuclear fusion, ultimately opening a number of opportunities for Maltese academics to further their research in the area

The involvement of the University of Malta within the ‘Research and Development towards a European Fusion Reactor ’ (ENDURE) programme is being undertaken at a national level while closely collaborating with other stakeholders within the EUROfusion consortium The research organisations are associated to 152 universities and companies across 25 EU member states, together with the UK, Switzerland and Ukraine

The EUROfusion programme, which is funded by the European Union via the Euratom Research and Training Programme, will direct and integrate research across the continent into a comprehensive R&D programme, to realise fusion energy.

Specialists from the University of Malta team have already been contributing to the programme by conducting structural stress analysis as early as 2021, whilst also being involved in two EUROfusion consortium work packages

In a comment marking this momentous occasion, the Malta Uni- versity Rector, Prof Alfred J Vella said that one of their main goals at the University was to see and support more research opportunities, and that such help in this area from MCST paves the way to ensure that Malta remains an active member at the forefront within the world of Research as it joins other stakeholders from within, and beyond the European Union in this extremely important scientific project for humanity

On his part, MCST Chairperson, Dr Tonio Portughese said that there were many challenges due to the requirements for materials and engineering technologies in fusion power plants, including the issues related to radiation damage, erosion, and high-temperature operation Nonetheless, the University team is making steady progress towards overcoming these challenges He said that Malta’s participation in the EUROfusion consortium is contributing towards the development of technologies for a commercial fusion power plant.

The Press briefing was also addressed by Keith Azzopardi Tanti, Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Research and Innovation (pictured above).

While the technology is still many years away from being widely used, the hope is that some nuclear fusion reactors will be fully operational by 2027

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The people of Australia associate the Anzac Day commemoration on April 25 with the celebrations around the country and the grand marches around the streets of the principal Cities

This time The Voice of the Maltese went further and delved into the significant event called the Consular Star Ceremony. This year, Lawrence Buhagiar, the Consul General for the Republic of Malta in NSW, presented “a star” cast into the wall of Contemplation

It was for Francis Bellia, serial 7209, from the 1st Infantry Battalion, AIF who died on 17 April 1918

Francis Bellia was born in Valletta, Malta and emigrated to Sydney, where he lived with his wife Sarah at Flemington He was employed as a driver and on January 23, 1917 he enlisted into the 24th Reinforcements of the 1st Battalion

Francis embarked from Sydney, on board the RMS Osterely, for the UK on February 10 1917 The Unit was sent to Durrington, Wiltshire, England, for further training, after which he was taken on strength in the 1st Battalion and on December 12 of that year he shipped to France He was killed in action four months later, (April 17 1918) at Ypres and was buried in the Meteren Military Cemetery

This Star ceremony was held at the Anzac Memorial in Sydney, which stands proudly as one of the state's most important cultural and commemorative institutions It continues in its original purpose as a war memorial and a place of commemoration, remembrance, education and reflection

Inside the monument is the Hall of Memory, a domed ceiling 26 metres high covered with approximately 120,000 golden stars that symbolise the men and women from New South Wales who embarked on overseas service during the Great War

When funds for the construction of the Anzac Memorial began to dry up, the trustees accepted a proposal that members of the public could purchase a star for 2 shillings (2/-), a significant donation during a time of austerity.

The money would go into the building fund Not all the stars were sold, but the scheme raised enough money to enable the completion of the Anzac Memorial

The stars are made from plaster covered in gold paint and glued into position The Book of the Anzac Memorial, NSW (1934) describes them this way: “This Golden Galaxy symbolises all those men and women from New South Wales who served in the war – one star for every man or woman who heard the call – a constellation of honour and memory

These stars, placed high above the eye of the spectator and lit by the amber glass of the great windows, make Hall's interior a place of sacred memories ”

The stars on the dome approximate the 130,020 people from New South Wales who embarked overseas to serve with the Australian Imperial Force The state also contributed men to the Royal Australian Navy During the war many other people from the state served in other armies and navies of the British Empire