PRESS RELEASE BY THE OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTRY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TOURISM: New agreement to explore establishment of Sapienza University presence in Malta

Agreement follows University talks with Deputy Prime Minister Borg last year

The Maltese Government and UnitelmaSapienza, the online university within the renowned Sapienza University of Rome, signed an agreement to launch a structured framework for enhanced cooperation in Malta.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Professor Bruno Botta, Rector of UnitelmaSapienza and Malta's Ambassador to Italy, Daniel Azzopardi, in Rome this week, in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Ian Borg, and other officials.

The agreement follows Professor Botta's productive visit to Malta last year, and his meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Borg in Valletta. It sets out a structured approach to explore the possible establishment of a Sapienza presence in Malta, the provision of academic and professional services in sectors relevant to the Maltese economy, and cooperation in education and training, including areas of interest to Maltese diplomats and public officials.

Deputy Prime Minister Borg commended UnitelmaSapienza and the Maltese authorities, including EducationMalta, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Tourism and Malta's Embassy in Rome, for swiftly building on last year's discussions to conclude this agreement and pave the way for new, promising collaborations.

“This agreement will advance the development of academics and students in our countries and beyond. We will continue supporting the two sides, encouraging you to utilise your respective strengths as we diligently implement this agreement. Quality education is the most effective pathway to equality, resilience and prosperity. We want you to create tangible, value-added opportunities that can support our progress in education and many other socio-economic aspects," Dr Borg affirmed.  

Professor Botta noted that this agreement reflects a shared commitment to further strengthening academic and institutional ties between Malta and Italy. “Our collaboration today marks an important step towards stronger, more tangible and more structured cooperation between UnitelmaSapienza and Malta. We firmly believe in the value of international academic dialogue and in the sharing of expertise as powerful drivers of mutual growth," he said.

Ambassador Azzopardi also thanked Education Malta, the Ministry and UnitelmaSapienza for this milestone agreement. “It will allow us to focus on specific areas of cooperation, towards the ultimate goal of building closer ties with UnitelmaSapienza, as the digital arm of one of Europe's most prominent universities, La Sapienza. This effort will continue to bring Italy and Malta ever closer," the Ambassador explained.

UnitelmaSapienza's Director General Mauro Giustozzi, Vice Rectors Rosella Castellano and Pier Luigi Petrillo, and the Head of the Internationalisation Office, Maria Grazia Semilia, were also present during the signing of the agreement.

Photo: MFT