Fulbright Day: Malta - November 24

Ministry for Education and U.S. Embassy Renew Commitment to U.S. Fulbright Program

In a symbolic ceremony on November 23, Chargé d’Affaires Gwendolyn S. Green, Minister for Education Justyne Caruana and Pro-Rector Frank Bezzina celebrated the 75th anniversary of the U.S. Fulbright global exchange program and the upcoming silver jubilee of the Fulbright program in Malta, which has sustained bilateral exchange between the United States and Malta for twenty-five years.

The Fulbright Program is the flagship of U.S. government exchange programs. Since its establishment in 1946, this prestigious U.S. government exchange program has created opportunities for nearly 400,000 people around the world, including Malta, to travel, study, conduct research, and exchange ideas.

In her remarks, Chargé d’Affaires Green reiterated her gratitude to the Ministry for Education and the University of Malta for their active support and commitment to the success of this program. She said, “Our exchange participants are our best diplomats, creating people-to-people ties that compliment and expand upon the efforts of our governments. I must thank all of our past and present Fulbright alumni, Maltese and Americans alike, for their commitment to academic exchange and for being instrumental in strengthening our already excellent bilateral relationship.”

Minister for Education Justyne Caruana said, “It is exceptional that two different and distinct countries, one of the biggest and a small nation like Malta, have been collaborating for the last 25 years through the Fulbright Program and the University of Malta, for the exchange of intellectuals between the two counties for the benefit of all. It is a pleasure for us to renew this collaboration for the coming years.”

Professor Frank Bezzina, Pro-Rector, International Development and Quality Assurance at the University of Malta, said, “The Fulbright Program is a unique opportunity for scholars to benefit from the mutual relations between the United States and the rest of the world. Its tradition to foster intercultural understanding, enhance academic expertise, and

develop institutional cooperation, puts it at the forefront of promoting peace through education. Fulbright alumni, invariably, remain enriched forever with this experience. The University of Malta is honored to have had the privilege to participate in the Fulbright Program and gives its full commitment for the future.”

At the end of the ceremony, Chargé d’Affaires Green presented mementos of the occasion to Minister Caruana and Professor Bezzina as a sign of appreciation for their support and cooperation.