Issue 3 aspiremagazine

Becoming an Entrepreneur

Photoshopbuilding artistic works from scratchToons! A Time for Everything

Graduation GameJam!The Full story behind the 40hr challenge 2013

ClickFlip to From the Editors FeaturContentses When our Principal, Mr. Charles Theuma told me a few months back that the 2nd issue was going to be a Bumper 03 Principal Matters issue, I couldn’t agree more ... Today I choose to go back Let’s hear it from the SMIIT’s Principle. on that and present to you the 3rd issue of Aspire e-Mag- azine – Bigger, Better and Broader in all aspects. Indeed 05 Graduation 2013 it is only due to Mr. Theuma and the academics at St. A day to remember. Martin’s that all this was possible. 07 Becoming an Entrepreneur We have dedicated this issue in part to the achievements of so many people 09 Non-Family Executives in Family Busi- due to the diligence and sterling work offered at the Institute to all its students. nesses Through our affiliation with the University of London we have made it easier Editor In Chief for students to acquire First Class Degrees in different areas of study. You will be Joseph Camilleri, [email protected] 11 Parenting Next Generation Leaders in enthralled by the amount of interviews and lectures given by foreign lecturers Family Businesses at the Institute and the effusive testimonials by current and past students who Art/Creative Director have moved on to continue progressing in life to rich green pastures - where the Keith Pace, [email protected] 13 GameJam 2013 heart can indeed roam. The full story about the 40 hour challenge. Graphic Artist & Photography It is currently a time of exams and studying, to be soon followed by a well-de- 25 Public Lecture by Mr. Ailson de Moraes served break for students and lecturers alike; a break which will serve to relax Keith Pace, [email protected] the brain and get the mind thinking about what the next academic year will 27 Memories – Footprints in the Snow offer. Contributing Writers An interview & a lecture by Dr. Steven Taylor. Joseph Camilleri, [email protected] University of London, LSE. The yearly Open-Day will be held as usual at the premises of St. Martin’s Charles Theuma, [email protected] Institute of I.T. in Hamrun, so mull it over and follow the trend, follow your Jonathan Barbara, [email protected] 29 Cultural visits to Valletta mind, follow your instinct and apply for a UOL Degree under the tuition of our Visits to St. John’s Co-Cathedral & to the National academic staff. Roberta Fenech, [email protected] Museum. Raissa Borg, [email protected] Till then I wish you a great Summer and many a day on the beach sipping cold 31 Field-Trip to Buskett Gardens. Emily Demajo, [email protected] drinks and savouring your achievements! Jonathan Grumley, [email protected] 33 Day at PricewaterhouseCoopers Dylan Busuttil, [email protected] Students studying AC 3093 visit the number one audit firm in Malta & internationally. Joseph Camilleri, Sales Officer Editor in Chief INSPIRATION Ying Yujun (Joyce), [email protected] 35 Being Different Summer is here… again. One month away to be precise A short story and the majority of our readers are wrapping up their studies and getting ready for their summer recess. Yet, 41 Photoshop Toons! we know that there are some true bookworms out there; Building artistic works from scratch. so yet again we are publishing our 3rd issue of Aspire e-Magazine. 25 Who Am I? (Part3) With the huge success of implementing videos with- 52 Excellence is a Requisite in issue 2 being so obvious, we have decided to finally launch our YouTube channel. Feel free to subscribe, comment and like any videos email: [email protected] 55 Up and Away you might fancy. Tel: (356) 21 235451 - 21 239450 Lifestyle Once more, we have increased the interaction within the contents page by giving Website: www.stmartins.edu you the possibility to click on any image within the contents’ image collage and 37 The Finish Line automatically it will direct you to its respective article’s page. Last but not least, 51 A Time for Everything don’t forget to ‘Like’ our Facebook page, and do invite your friends to do so too … we will definitely be filling the void between one issue and the next. Until then, I wish you all the best. ENTERTAINMENT 21 “IL-FESTA TA’ LAPSI” Keith Pace, Co-Editor, Higher Education Institution Licence 196 An annual national folklore event. Legal Notice 296 of 2012 Art & Creative Director. 45 The End of Year Summer Party 1 >>> aspire aspire <<< 2 Principal Matters

We are in the twilight of this academic year. Most of our students will be reading this latest edition of the Magazine in the comforting holiday period, whilst academics are still in the process of closing the year looking forward to a period of rest during their vacation leave. This is the cycle of an aca- demic institution, each year offering new experiences, new people and new challenges.

I wish to take this occasion to congratulate the two individuals who have painstakingly taken substantially from their time to chronicle the salient oc- currences in this compilation. Joe’s editorial capability twinned with Keith’s creative acumen and toil to produce such a neat production from its very in- ception is highly commendable and appreciated. This project wouldn’t have materialised so successfully if these two gentlemen hadn’t given their full commitment whilst at the same time seeing to their duties as lecturers.

This edition is a bumper edition focusing mostly on people - students, alumni and academics who have taken seriously to their aspirations and worked hard to achieve their goals. These people are a beacon to all of us who strive hard to reach the finish line, difficult as the road may be.

I conclude by wishing all readers, near and far, happy and relaxing holidays.

Be an Ambassador St Martin’s Institute of I.T. student Mr. Muhtadi Mehdawi re- ceiving his reward from Marketing Director Alessandra Theuma for successfully recommending the Institute’s portfolio of pro- grammes to his friends in a very positive manner and with suc- cess.

Why not take this opportunity and become a St Martin’s Ambas- sador?

Encourage your friends to register as students at St Martin’s and receive a reward for your efforts.

For more details write to [email protected]

3 >>> aspire Graduation 2013 – A Day to Remember!

London, home to splendour originated from hundreds of years of intricate history, an inspiring amalgamation of old Some general information about the and new, where an intermingling of Royalty and High Society have paced the streets and avenues for centuries. This University of London - is the home of the University of London; born more than 150 years ago, when Queen Victoria signed the University The London School of Economics and of London’s 4th Charter, making the University of London’s International Programmes the first to offer degrees to Political Science students worldwide. With over 50,000 students found all over the world, the University of London has one of the Founded in 1895, the London School largest international programmes and St. Martin’s Institute of Information Technology is proud to be an affiliate of Economics and Political Science of this highly esteemed institution and thus collaborating with the University of London in its goal to continue its (LSE) is regarded as an internation- reputation for high academic standards deep into the 21st century. al centre of academic excellence and innovation in the social sciences. The On the 19th of March 2013, a delegation from St. Martin’s Institute of I.T. proudly entered the Barbican Centre, set 2008 HEFCE Research Assessment in the Senate House, home to the University of London, considered an iconic addition to the London skyline, veri- Exercise confirmed LSE as a world tably London’s ‘first sky scraper’. leading research university. innovative subjects by world-leading academics. You’ll learn in the heart of Amongst this delegation were graduates from both faculties within the Institute of St. Martin’s. Technology students The School had the highest percentage London, benefiting from our global links and international reach. You’ll and Business students were eagerly anticipating the long-awaited ceremony presided by HRH the Princess Royal, of world leading research of any UK university, topping or coming close develop the skills, experience and con- Chancellor of the University of London. to the top of a number of rankings of nections that will help you make sense research excellence. of the world and explore your pas- On this bleak, typical British day, nothing would dampen the spirits of these fresh graduates who had worked hard sions. And you’ll become a valued part for years to be present on this much awaited day. A day which would be remembered long after the photos have LSE academics act as advisers to gov- of a welcoming and broad-minded faded, a day which commemorated for another year the success story of St. Martin’s Institute’s hard endeavours to ernments, serve on commissions and community. help its students towards an excellence mirrored in its over forty percent First Class Honours and Second Class are seconded to national and inter- Upper achievements by its hard-working and continually monitored students ... now graduates. national organisations. The School Many of our lecturers and academics Royal Holloway, University of London regularly attracts leading public fig- are active in the creative and cultural Royal Holloway was founded in This success story is repeated every year at St. Martin’s Institute, but every year is seen as a ‘... fresh reminder to ures to give lectures, attend semi- industries, so your learning will be 1886. It received its charter from the why we are here as educators of our society endeavouring to bring the excellence of the University of London to nars and consult staff – recent high informed by current practice. You’ll University of London in 1900 and the Maltese students’, says Mr. Charles Theuma, Principal and Founder of St. Martin’s Institute. His exuberant smile profile visitors have included Peter also benefit from our interdisciplinary later merged with Bedford College betrays his excitement as he once again passes the threshold of the Senate House, accompanied by an equally enthu- Mandelson, Professor Noam Chomsky approach to learning and research: our (est. 1849). The College today has over siastic throng of graduates who have been under his keen eye for the past three years, a symbol of his success and an and Professor Paul Krugman. LSE‘s departments and smaller centres and 9,000 students studying for degrees extension of his vision – the continued delivery, by highly qualified educators of an enriching and unrivalled tertiary central location offers easy access to units often interact to develop new in the arts, sciences, humanities and education under the auspice of the famed University of London International Programmes. the vast cultural and social life that perspectives and insights into each social sciences. Students at Royal London has to offer. other’s subjects. Holloway benefit from studying at a spacious, largely residential campus, Goldsmiths, University of London We’re based in New Cross, South East whilst the attractions of London are Goldsmiths is internationally known London, an eclectic and creative area only a 35 minute train journey away. for innovation in subject areas cover- with lots to see and do locally. New ing the arts, humanities, social scienc- Cross also has excellent transport Why study with us? es, computing and teacher training. connections to the heart of the cap- We are ranked among the top We look at subjects in creative and ital – central London is just 15 min- research-led universities in the UK unconventional ways, but everything utes away by train. Our single campus and a University of London degree will we do is based on the highest academ- means that you don’t have to travel far lead to top career opportunities. Royal ic standards of teaching and research. to access our great facilities and halls Holloway is a vibrant community with of residence. students from over 130 countries. We Why study with us? are an innovative and forward-looking Goldsmiths offers a distinct and high- institution, acknowledged worldwide ly creative environment in which to for cutting edge research and excellent study. As a student here you’ll be taught teaching. 5 >>> aspire aspire <<< 6 Becoming an Entrepreneur

entirely unknown waters in the ed Kingdom working at the Ritz, right resources at the opportune ganisation, including obviously the all-important customer. Mr. Zahra shape of what is today called Alpine but take on a challenge put forward moment. This shows the acute in- is adamant about employing people who are more approachable rather Holdings. From Alpine rent-a-car by his father. A challenge which was terest in his company - company than more technical. He believes in creating relationships and being ap- to an Insurance agency to a tourist undertaken with such a great suc- which though not perfect, strives proachable is infinitely important for such a company ethos and culture. agency to a factory – Castille Leath- cess that 22 odd years later Mr. Zah- to be excellent. He readily accept- ers as known at the times, Mr. Zah- ra has stepped in his father’s shoes ed that he himself and his compa- Winston Zahra continued to reiterate the fact that opportunity comes ra senior and his brother grew from effectively creating Island Caterers ny were prone to mistakes as any from chance and how eager you are to take it upon yourself to master one taxi to the enterprise we can see in the process. individual or group is, stating also the ability for recognising the said opportunity and how fully engaged today in a matter of 40 years of en- that ‘if a mistake is genuine, people one is in their process of self-development and constantly yearns to trepreneurship. Having taken such a huge step at appreciate it and forgive you and learn and improve. the age of 21, Winston Zahra nev- move on’. After retiring and realising that er lets age be of any issue. Whatever such was not his lot, Mr. Zahra the age he says the relevance stands ‘At home we don’t talk business, Mr. Charles Theuma, Principal of Senior decided to continue increas- in the performance. Age is not an and at work we don’t talk family’. St Martin’s Institute had the oppor- ing on the already existent hotel in important factor, one can never Separation of the two according to tunity to interview Mr. Winston Bugibba from 200 rooms to just un- know what the person can offer if Mr. Zahra is very important. Today Zahra, CEO of Island Hotel Group der 500 rooms, thus initiating the the age factor is given too much he does not consider the company Holding plc. Mr. Zahra shared his birth of Island Hotels Group. prominence. as a family company. 75% of the business experience and ideas with shareholding is family, but the op- St Martin’s students and guests. After successfully reading for a De- Mr. Zahra was thankful for the eration is very corporate in nature. This interview entitled - “The Re- gree in Hotel Management, Win- banking sector and investments So much so, Mr. Winston Zahra is lationship of Entrepreneurs and ston Zahra Jr. decided not to fulfil community for his success. He the only executive involved in the Their Business” took place at St his dream to live abroad in the Unit- could not have done it without the company from the whole family. He Martin’s Institute on Wednesday, believes that there should be a sep- 27th March. aration when it comes to business Scenic view of Radisson Golden Sands, Flagship of Mr. Zahra's company. and family. As soon as the ‘family With his uncle and Father before cash till’ becomes the ‘business cash him both starting successful busi- till’, the whole proceeding would nesses in the 70s, Mr. Zahra con- be at loggerheads. He also states tinued the family tradition by suc- that nepotism is a factor which cessfully managing five separate can erode efficiency in a business. hotels which are today renowned Family should not reserve a ‘Divine for excellence and perfection in ser- right’ to employment in the compa- vice. These hotels ranging from the ny. This would pass a wrong mes- Bugibba Holiday Complex to the sage to the employees. In fact Mr. Radisson Golden Sands in Mell- Zahra describes the company as ‘A ieha, cater to different tastes yet are corporate entity with family values in their own way a symbol of suc- at the core’. Treating his team of em- cess from the business aspect. ployees with respect and equality would create sufferance and thus a From the teaching profession Mr. better workplace which will in turn The Flagship of Hotel Island Holdings Group, the Radisson Blu Resort & Spa. Zahra’s father decided to dive into create respect throughout the or-

7 >>> aspire aspire <<< 8 Non-Family Executives in Family Businesses Roberta Fenech Family businesses reach out to pro- to have the personalities and social councils act as an insulator between Problems occur in those families that The author is an Occupational Psychologist. She is an Associate Consultant fessionals outside the family circle skills to be successful in such set- the potentially messy processes that do not have a deep respect for the for EMCS group and a lecturer at St Martin’s Institute of Technology to add value to the business and to tings, apart from the noticeable busi- families engage in to distil individ- skill of managing. Such family busi- ensure the growth and endurance of ness skills. Cultural competence is ual preferences into coherent sets of nesses tend to be too casual about the business in competitive market also an important requirement. The common and communicable objec- family members taking positions spaces. This may also occur by neces- ability to understand and be sensitive tives, and the non-family executive. in the company and being promot- sity such as circumstances when the to the family-influenced cultural and Non-family executive performance ed. When a family does not set high family members do not possess the social processes is the core of cultur- improves when the family speaks enough standards for family mem- required business skills and exper- al competence. Cultural competence with a unified voice. Family meetings bers entering the business and being tise, there are only a limited number may be acquired by understanding and councils help such a purpose. promoted, the management strength of family members willing and able the specific values and norms of the Successful non-family executives are is diluted because the non-family to help manage the business, the next family business and what goals and capable of working with and navigat- executives become discouraged and generation is not yet prepared to run meanings key family members give ing the interpersonal aspects of the leave, or they simply are not attracted the family business or there may be to the business. The various compe- family environment that helps define to the business in the first place. no future heirs to the business. tencies of non-family executives are the family business. They know the dynamic and need to be nourished issues that are important to family Successful family businesses attract In the minority of circumstances, through interactions and communi- members and how best to deliver on and retain valuable non-family exec- integrating someone with different cation between individuals. their objectives. They know what is utives by emphasising merit, giving DNA may trigger the immune sys- expected of them and the underly- opportunities to accumulate person- tem of some family business lead- This does not mean that all fami- ing influences on what is important al wealth and assuring career oppor- ers, resulting only too often in the ly business cultures are aversive to to the owners. Successful non-family tunities for the best among them. rejection of non-family executives. change and that non-family execu- executives develop a heartfelt affini- They structure their business and Some family business leaders still tives are marionettes steered by the ty for the family for which they work design their employment policies prefer that family members hold cultural frame of the family business. and have the personality that fits the to ensure accommodation of both executive positions; they maintain Family business cultures can be open family business. In many cases the family and non-family executives. In that executives who are not owners and encourage new ideas. There ex- emotional bond between non-family conclusion, successful family busi- will not watch over the affairs of a ists a large variation in the way fam- employees and the families with and nesses find that bringing in seasoned business as diligently as the owners ilies interact with non-family execu- for which they work become so tight non-family executives or grooming managing the business themselves. tives. This interaction is very much that they feel like part of the family. them from within is an excellent way This tends to occur mostly in found- dependent on the orientation of the Non-family executives may play a for a family business to gain wisdom er-managed small family businesses family members towards the busi- critical role in succession as they are and outside perspective. as fast growing future-looking busi- ness and each other. often asked to help develop the next nesses encourage the involvement of generation. Successful non-family non-family executives. Families improve the likelihood of executives in this role will require a non-family executives’ success if they very clear sense of their place in the Non-family executives are ‘invited’ have an outlet for voicing their opin- family business’ history and willing- into something dear to the family ions, wants and needs that does not ness to be subservient in some ways, and are trusted with a key part of directly involve the non-family exec- to the longer-term processes of which its activities, but remain guests. The utive. Such family meetings and/or they are a part. best non-family executives are likely

9 >>> aspire aspire <<< 10 Roberta Fenech Parenting Next Generation Leaders Roberta Fenech The author is an Occupational Psychologist. She is an Associate Consultant for EMCS group and a lecturer in Family Businesses at St Martin’s Institute of Technology

One of the things that can never be about their abilities to perform well and joy parents display in accom- skills, social skills and negotiation underestimated is how much good in leadership roles. Consistent parent plishment, hard work, responsibility skills. The expected commitment, parenting effects the future of a fami- unavailability and non-responsive- and sacrifice. values and perceptions of the current ly business. Leadership development ness in childhood is associated with generation are to be shared with the starts much earlier than in other the avoidant adult who harbours Talking about the business and ex- next generation which should be giv- businesses as a result of the overlap negative expectations about their posing young children to the busi- en challenging, real life problems to between the business and the family ability to perform well in the leader- ness does not mean imposing the solve. system. ship role. Attachment styles may be business onto the next generation, transmitted across multiple genera- even if the children will never work Risks to the transfer of knowledge The nature-nurture debate also em- tions within families. in the business they will still become across generations are related to dy- braces this subject with a school of owners. What current leaders want is namics in family relationships, a lack researchers attributing variation in Parenting effects the future of family that their children become proud and of valuation of each other’s opinions leadership style to genetic factors, businesses as it teaches the capaci- interested owners who understand and also competence. Emotional fac- whilst others to environmental in- ty to communicate, to think outside the value of their heritage. Exposing tors also come into play. The difficul- fluences such as the individual’s ex- one’s own interest, to make decisions, young children to the business will ty to relate with the next generation posure to different role models and to seek consensus and to want fair- give them the real freedom to choose as adults and no longer as children early opportunities for leadership de- ness and justice for others. Family by making sure they have enough in- jeopardises the whole process. velopment. A combination of the two business is the ultimate leadership formation on the business to make approaches is many a time sustained. challenge because whilst the current an informed decision whether to em- Family meetings give family mem- Attachment theorists attribute indi- leaders build or run the business, brace it or pursue a different goal. bers a reason to be together, to sup- vidual differences in leadership to the they also bring up their children, port one another and to share com- early close emotional bond between who are in turn, intimately involved A source of competitive advantage mon interests. Apart from being very parents (or the primary caregivers) in the future success of the business. and a factor for success in efficiency, valuable in enhancing family rela- and children arguing that next gener- A fundamental recommendation for innovation and quality is the tacit or tionships and communication, they ation leaders will in the future apply current leaders in family businesses implicit knowledge that is transferred are an excellent opportunity to artic- previously learnt patterns of interac- is not to neglect parenting. One may across generations from an early age ulate the meaning and mission of the tion within the family to leadership. get caught up in working very hard such as are traditions, values and so- family, to educate younger members Consistent parent responsiveness to fulfil their own and their parents’ cial networks. As the members of the and to plan for the future. The role of in childhood is associated with se- expectations as well as build a lega- next generation are introduced to the family members who do not work in cure adults who have relatively high cy for their children, compromising business from an early age, even if the family business, such as in-laws, self-esteem and who approach their time at home and time as parents. only volunteering in the summer hol- in shaping next generation leaders leadership role positively and express idays, they learn in practice what the cannot be underrated. Family meet- certainty of their ability to perform Work habits, attitudes towards the business is about, as well as the con- ings focus on the interests of the fam- well. On the other hand inconsistent business, values and relationships text within which it operates. During ily. Such meetings should encompass parent responsiveness in childhood is all take root in the childhood of the the period when the next generation as many family members as possible associated with the anxious-ambiva- next generation. Parents convey val- is formally part of the family busi- including in-laws and the younger lent adults who are preoccupied with ues and attitudes particularly by ex- ness tacit knowledge of a holistic generation. attachment and have a low self-es- ample. Healthy attitudes towards the nature like strategy is learned. Tacit teem. They may express reservations business spring from the enthusiasm knowledge is also about managerial

11 >>> aspire aspire <<< 12 The Teams...The Caffeine...The Game be needed, for one who is a first time GameJam 2013 game developer, to be able to de- velop one’s game. This meant that a list of free online resources (for art, sound effects and music) needed to be compiled. This was done through the creation of an internal website sites.google.com/a/stmartins.edu/ game-jam-2013. This also meant that I would need to figure out what min- imum hardware requirements were needed in order to run the said soft- ware comfortably without slowing down the progress of the competi- tors. With the help of our resident IT administrator, we managed to also create a network system powerful Mr. Charles Theuma managed to find they were willing to sponsor bever- enough to provide Internet access to a technical sponsor (Smart Technol- ages to be consumed throughout the By Jeremy Grech all the potential applicants. ogies ltd.) who were willing to pro- 40 hr event. In order to tackle the vide 3 computer systems for each issue of what participants would eat Once all that was done, we then team that were going to participate. throughout the event, I had contact- started promoting the event through We therefore managed to obtain 21 ed Porky’s take away and they provid- The Organisation Facebook, posters as well as by word brand new systems which were at the ed a generous offer which allowed us of mouth. We encouraged students disposal of the teams participating. to buy food from their establishment Malta’s first, 40hr non-stop, game jam Being a pioneer event, we didn’t re- • PR – How were we going to to sign up as teams and to encourage Mr. Dylan Seychell, in turn, contact- at a reduced price. competition was the brain child of ally have a template to work upon; market the event? Would there be their friends from outside of the In- ed Farsons group of companies and Mr. Dylan Seychell, and being a great therefore it was imperative that we, anybody willing to sponsor such an stitute to also take part in the event. enthusiast of game development as organisers, brainstorm together so event? During promotions, Mr. Joe Camill- challenges, I was asked to help him that we could cover as many possible • Food and drink – Would we be eri was then contacted by an ex-St. organise this event alongside Jona- eventualities as possible. Issues that providing such basic needs? Martin’s student, Mark Bugeja, who than Barbara. This is not to say that needed to be tackled included: was so interested in the event, that this event was solely our creation. In As one could imagine, these issues he was willing to create a website pro fact I can say, with a certain degree • The venue, date and time - were not trivial and therefore we bono so that it would further pro- of confidence that it was a team ef- When? Where? At what time shall needed lots of brain storming meet- mote the event. Working together fort spanning most of the St. Martin’s we start ings and emails were necessary in or- and with the aid of Reuben Debat- staff. For example Keith Pace creat- der to get the ball rolling. Eventually tista, we managed to come up with ed the poster of the event and Yujun • The software – What software specific roles emerged. Mr Seychell the final website design and shortly Ying (Joyce) replied to enquiries that would be needed in order to create a became more and more involved in afterwards http://gamejam.stmar- applicants had regarding the event. game in 40 hours? the logistics of the event, Mr. Jona- tins.edu was up and running. Slowly Creating such an event would inev- than Barbara and myself worked on but surely 6 teams of between 3 or 4 itably place St. Martin’s at the fore- • The hardware – What were the defining the themes and mechanics members were convinced to partici- front of game development on the minimum requirements needed to of the event, whilst I took care of the pate in this event. island since it was the first of its kind. run the software? technical aspect of the event. My job was to find out what software might

13 >>> aspire aspire <<< 14 July 2013

With regards to the event per-se, it was decided that the teams were to be given a theme (3...2...1...) which was common to all teams however each team were to be given a list of game mechanics where each team needed to implement at least one of said me- chanics. With that the organisational aspect of the event was done. It was to be held at St. Martin’s Institute of IT, starting on Fri- day the 22nd of February at 6pm through to Sunday the 24th of February at noon. The Event

40 hours of designing, programming and creating art for games is no laughing mat- ter. The first few hours are full of enthusi- asm and energy but, as the hours rolled by, it became apparent how demanding the task actually was. Fuelled by nothing more than caffeine and copious amounts of pizza and burgers and sheer determination to succeed, 5 of the original 6 teams eventually managed to put together some very good game play demos which, to be honest, really surpassed expectations. 15 >>> aspire For more info contact us on: [email protected] The Aftermath

After the 40 hours, the bloodshot eyes and spent energy reserves, it was time for judging. The judges for this event were Kalvin Morrow (from TRC media group), Nielson Flic (CEO of Puzzl ltd), and Jonathan Barbara, Joe Camilleri, Keith Pace, Dylan Seychell and I, all of whom are lecturers at St. Martin’s Institute of IT. After a brief description of what their creations were all about, the judges wandered freely to witness the games and play them themselves one by one and af- terwards evaluate them. The judging criteria included:

• Wow! Factor • Audio • Game design • Game feel • Artwork • Polish • Programming After a very short deliberation, all the judges had come to a unanimous decision on which teams came first, second and third. Making their way up to the canteen for the final presentation, the teams looked absolutely shattered. I remarked that all of them “looked terrible”, by which I meant that they really had put a really great effort into their final products. After a short, presentation by Dylan Seychell and Jonathan Barbara, the winners were announced and were given their prize. Overall I felt that most partic- ipants learnt a lot from this experience, everything from team work, work delegation as well as what it really means to be a game developer. Even though this event took a lot out of them, I am sure that the vast majority would consider participating again. If that holds true, then the future of Game Develop- Games Video Demos ment in Malta is a bright one indeed. • D-FIB • CookieRush • Harlem Zombies

17 >>> aspire aspire <<< 18

re-enactment especially with the “IL-FESTA TA’ LAPSI” use of horses and other animals, firing of muskets and cannons, FOR THE 3RD CONSECUTIVE YEAR – AN ANNUAL NATIONAL FOLKLORE EVENT WHICH WAS SO POPULAR IN THE PAST AT ST. JULIANS etc. This historical re-enactment will recall the annual visit of the Grandmaster for this event in the Following the tremendous success around 500 years ago. In fact, doc- trades and even local agricultur- past. The re-enactment will start of the past two years, this nation- uments reveal that the Grandmas- al products. These stands will be from Spinola Palace at 20.15 hrs al folklore event at St. Julian’s, so ter of the Order of the Knights of distributed along Spinola Bay and where there will be a soldiers’ pa- called “Il-Festa ta’ Lapsi”, is going St. John used to attend this annual will remain open till midnight rade up to Spinola Bay. Over there, to be held again on Thursday 6th national event and stay at his own on the day. There will be stands the Grandmaster which will arrive June palace overlooking Spinola Bay, of filigree, art, clay statues, wood by a boat, will be given a warm (Eve of a public holiday), the palace which is still known to sculpture, stone sculpture, egg welcome with folk dancing, etc. us, as Spinola Palace. art, glass painting, lace, jewels and From there, the Grandmaster will In the past, this St. Julian’s folklore accessories, ceramics, the Mal- march triumphally to his Palace. event was so popular with Maltese The St. Julian’s Local Council de- tese clock, embroidery, wooden This re-enactment will have a live and Gozitans on the same lines as cided to go for another edition of frames, soaps from natural ingre- commentary by George Peresso. its still popular the Imnarja event, this annual event and even create dients…….. and also others with Activities kick off at 18.30 hrs tween 19.30 hrs and 21.30 hrs, folk when all stands will be opened and shows will be held on two different held annually at Buskett gardens. once again the re-enactment of the agricultural products such as Mal- Street theatre will be also continu- Those who still remember these Grandmaster’s annual visit. tese cheeslets, sundried tomatoes, there will be the town crier re-en- stages by Tal-Fuklar Folk Group actment, announcing the visit of and Mnarja Folk Group. ous during this event, there will be years, say that thousands used olive oil, capers, honey, etc small re-enactments showing the to come over to Spinola Bay for St. Julian’s Bay and promenade Grandmaster for the festivities. The highlight of the event will be for sure the grand historical re-en- Maltese life during the Knight’s “Il-Festa ta’ Lapsi”. will be transformed once again in There will be also food stalls sell- period, In Guardia parades, fal- a folkloristic village. This year, a ing Maltese traditional food, piz- At 19 hrs, there will be the arrival actment which will be presented of all folk groups and musicians. by the Malta Tourism Authority, coners, etc. The St. Julian’s Band From documents which were re- record of around 60 exhibitors will za, fresh fruit, nougat, tradition- and the Spinola Band will march vealed, we learnt also that this par- set up their stands and demon- al sweets and local wines. Apart These will arrive on traditional with the participation of around cabs and will be accompanied by 90 actors wearing epic costumes. around the venue playing popular ticular event was already popular strate their skills in local artisan from that, a local traditional farm festa tunes. with decorated carts and even an- traditional decorated carts. Be- Special effects will enhance this imals will be set up near the sea- Spectacular folklore shows will front. The whole venue will be continue till midnight with the fully decorated with large flags and participation of local entertain- banners with the Grandmasters ers such as Joe & Veronica Farru- coat of arms. Upon sunset the sea- gia, Greenfields, Enzo Gusman, front will be lit up with hundreds Ivan Spiteri Lucas, Neville Refalo, of “fjakkoli” to create a magical at- Miriam Christine, Debbie Scerri, mosphere. J Anvil and the Spiteri Lucas Live Band. Along Spinola Bay there will be musicians with traditional instru- ments and folk dancers interacting with the general public. Everyone can even enjoy free of charge, a ride on a Maltese traditional cab around the venue. 21 >>> aspire aspire <<< 22 “Il-Festa ta’ Lapsi 2013” is being organised by the St. Julians Local Council and co-ordinated by Leon Promotions in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, the Par- liamentary Secretary for Culture and Local Government and the Malta Tourism Authority.

23 >>> aspire International Strategic Management, looking at the world in a new way International Business and Global and teasing new ties with the grow- Leadership. ing economies of the world.

Proving to be a very informal charac- Mr. De Moraes also mentioned the ter at heart, Ailson de Moraes flashed importance of trust. Every country a constant relaxed smile to his audi- trusts in other particular countries, ence as he analysed the intricacies of noticing that Malta trusts the British economic, business and management blindly, adding also that Malta, sim- aspects of Globalisation. He was ad- ilar to other countries, trusts foreign amant about understanding the Past products more than local produce. of a country before being able to get Once you trust yourself others will to grips with the present and future of trust you and invest more in you. its economic possibilities. Ailson re- He mentioned China’s investment in ferred back and forth between Brazil Brazil as a positive outcome of this his original country of origin to the trend of thought while US Wallmart’s UK and to Malta, finding common introduction to Germany as a com- tendencies and opposite flairs which plete failure due to a non-accepting could extend or slow possibilities of ideology in German mentality. Ail- business between countries. son De Moraes quotes Anthony Gib- bons from London School of Eco- Mr. De Moraes referred to the great nomics as saying that ‘We are living crisis of 2008 and said that this ‘has in a new age of Globalisation’. We do Public Lecture by Mr. Ailson de Moraes forced us to reexamine our beliefs not need frontiers and closing with- about markets and globalisation’. He in oneself as he quotes the European referred to contemporary times as Union is doing, thus the current ‘di- ‘challenging times’, describing the fi- vorce’ between the UK and the EU. a profound interest in globalisation St. Martin’s Institute of Informa- and an MA in Business and Culture nancial situation of the world as to Frontiers create stagnation in coun- and cultures, De Moraes travels ex- tion Technology was yet again the Studies from City University, Lon- be in turmoil. He underlined the fact tries, bringing to mind the situation tensivly around the world, and flu- proud host to a celebrated interna- don; a Postgraduate Certificate from that prosperity and power is shifting of North Korean as opposed to the ently speaks three main international tional academic Mr. Ailson De Mo- Fundacao Getulio Vargas, Brazil, and to new places and peoples, mention- success of South Korea with its glob- languages – Portuguese, English and raes. Mr. De Moraes held workshops University of California, Irvine. De ing China and Brazil as the contend- al mentality. to St Martin's students on the 8th & Moraes also has a Postgraduate Cer- Spanish. ers for this ‘new power and pros- 9th of April and delivered a public tificate in Skills of Teaching to Inspire perity’. He remonstrated about the Mr. De Moraes continued to propose lecture about ‘Maltese International Learning from the Royal Holloway Married to a Portuguese woman and fact that Malta is not keeping this in the rethinking of the position of Mal- Economic Development Strategy’ on Educational Department. having studied in the USA and the mind as time passes. Brazil, wherein ta in the International Community Monday the 8th of April 2013. This UK whilst currently living in the lat- 40 million people have risen to Mid- and offering various possibilities to was one of a series of public lectures De Moraes has attended a number ter country and intermittently trav- dle Class status in the last 5 years and the improvement of this current di- held by St. Martin’s Institute through- of executive and non-executive pro- elling to a myriad of countries deliv- who will be the host of the World lemma. Keeping in mind that Malta out the year. grams along his career as an academ- ering lectures, for Prof. De Moraes, Cup in 2014 and the Olympic Games is small, De Moraes stated that ‘small ic and professional in management Globalisation is a way of life. in 2016, is definitely the country to is beautiful’ and underlined the value Hailing from Brazil Ailson de Moraes and business. He has extensive man- export to. This does not mean that of risk, a mentality that has to be in- Ailson’s research interests lie in the holds a Full time academic position agement and business experience, Malta has nothing to offer to Brazil. troduced with vigour for a country to areas of strategy and leadership. His at Royal Holloway School of Manage- having worked in a variety of indus- It must be that the Maltese are not be successful. publications appear in some leading ment, University of London. He has a trial and commercial sectors in inter- aware or not working on the poten- academic journals such as the British Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from national organisations in Brazil, Por- tial of closer ties to Brazil. Mr. Ailson Journal of Management, and others. Andrews University, Michigan, USA tugal, Switzerland and the UK. With De Moraes sees today’s challenge as He teaches Strategic Management, 25 >>> aspire aspire <<< 26 which are being forgotten can even be changed by different perceptions and mixing up various memories. Dr. Taylor underlined this study as Cognitive Sociology – the Sociolo- gy of how the Human Being thinks. During the seminar Dr. Taylor went through the depths of how the brain works and the intricacies of memo- ry and recognition. Dr. Steven Tay- lor asked the question, ‘Can we have completely false memories?’ His soft voice enthralled the audience with the complex and intricate processes which passes through the brain in the attempt to retain memories and use such for recognition purposes.

Dr. Steven Taylor’s visit was a much Memories – Footprints in the Snow awaited event especially amongst An interview & a lecture by Dr. Steven Taylor. University of London, LSE the Sociology students. It is always a much expected occurrence; that Dr. Steven Taylor, Lecturer at Univer- short ‘seeing the same reality differ- that crime can indeed be helpful to of having senior University of Lon- sity of London was invited to deliver ently’. Sociology is about learning the society in that it can create bounda- don lecturers coming all the way a speech entitled "Memories: Foot interpretations and not the facts as ries which regulate society at large. from London to analyse the way St. prints in the snow" at St Martin's observed by the various viewers. The Martin’s is performing, while shar- Institute on Friday, 19th April 2013. interest in History drew Dr. Taylor When asked ‘What is Sociology?’ Dr. ing their newfound knowledge with During the lecture, Dr. Taylor an- closer to Sociology and his conse- Taylor had a very clear and concise their overseas students. It is also a swered questions on the implications quent interest in this social science. answer. He termed Sociology as a smile-bringing occasion, when the of implanted memories in people’s thinking subject not a learning sub- realisation is that St. Martin’s Insti- brains from the legal and criminal Dr. Steven Taylor’s original interests ject. Society is born into cultures. tute is at the forefront of all overseas aspects and furthermore from the were Biology and History. His obser- Thus learning about culture is learn- affiliate centres of the University of business, commercial, marketing and vations through the study of History ing the rules linked with that culture. London. Dr. Taylor, similar to other advertising aspects. ensued in him graduating in Sociol- Sociology is learning about these LSE lecturers was impressed by the ogy at Leicester University. His main rules and how they affect society and level of teaching at the Institute and Dr. Steven Taylor was interviewed areas of Research were Crime and in turn how society creates rules to complimented the lecturers involved prior to the lecture wherein he spoke Law. He then read for a Law degree in instill culture. while reiterating that the students about the roles of people when ac- the evenings to improve his knowl- have to continue adhering to strict counting about past occurrences. edge on law and crime and how these In his lecture ‘Memory – Foot- time-management procedures, be- ‘Different historians interpret it (his- work. With this background in Soci- prints in the snow’ Dr. Taylor fur- cause only with self-discipline can an tory) in very different ways. History ology and Law, Dr. Taylor came up ther enunciates on the title by saying individual be able to pass the test of is about the historian as what hap- with various insights about crime that memory is like footprints; the time and make it through the Degree pened...’ Dr. Taylor remarked that to and its effects on society. He spoke further forward you move the more with a high level institution such as understand anything in life one has about the fact that society through these ‘footprints’ vanish into noth- the London School of Economics. to observe what the people looking at law creates boundaries which state ingness. As one gets older, memories it are seeing as there is no such thing what is acceptable and what is not ac- like a machine begins to deteriorate. as ‘innocent interpretation’, thus in ceptable within society, thus regaling Thus through time these memories 27 >>> aspire aspire <<< 28 Cultural visits to Valletta. For the 3rd year running, visits to al research involving the filling in of St. John’s Co-Cathedral and to the questionnaire booklets which were National Museum of Fine Arts; both gathered and will be analysed at a lat- in Valletta, were organised with the er date for further studies by the mu- main thought of keeping St. Martin’s seums involved. students in alignment with our coun- try’s cultural splendour and develop- These visits were facilitated by the ment. timely cooperation of St. John’s Co-Cathedral Museum’s manage- Students from BTEC Foundation ment and Heritage Malta. Both Insti- and students from University of Lon- tutes offered free entrance to St. Mar- don BSc Creative Computing 1st tin’s Students and ensured superb Year had the occasion to view the communication, thus facilitating the priceless monuments and the collec- visits and the well-being of all stu- tions therein, in relation to Personal dents involved. Development and ‘The Educational Function of Museums’, respectively. The visits were spread over a span of 5 hours, with 2 hours dedicated to The visits organised by St. Martin’s each museum and another hour ded- Institute of I.T. were aimed at not icated to a relaxed lunch in one of the only increasing awareness of Mal- myriad of cafeterias around Valletta. tese culture and heritage, but also Other visits are being organised for were at pinpointing subjects of in- the coming months, this time for terests which involved the topics and BTEC 1st Diploma students to the subjects areas studied by the differ- former capital city of Malta - Mdi- ent groups of students in relation to na. The locations of interest are the what they were experiencing visually. Cathedral Museum and the Natural All students participated in a gener- History Museum.

29 >>> aspire aspire <<< 30 Field-Trip to Buskett Gardens. On the 22nd of May, two groups of First Diploma students OPEN DAY left St. Martin’s Institute on the way to Buskett Gardens. This field-trip was being organised to cover 3 particular aims. The first was to enhance awareness through the expertise 6th July, at 9:00am of KOPIN; the organisation behind this exhibition demon- strating nature’s current decline due to misuse of resources. The second aim was to liaise this trip with the new subject introduced by BTEC for the First Diploma students – Science and – Civic Competencies, currently taught in the second term. The third and final aim was to incorporate these two themes with a final main theme. This being the creation of a small web-site, through the use of the photos and videos taken on-site, programming and editing skills learnt during the year and obviously the collective effort of all students in both groups.

The trip started with an animated talk by internees work- ing for KOPIN, to the students, explaining the indecent situation that the world’s forests are in at this precise mo- ment. KOPIN, a non-governmental and a non-profit mak- ing organisation is currently organising this exhibition and walk-through in Buskett Forest in tandem with other NGOs worldwide to continually raise awareness about the world’s dire situation. This exhibition titled – ‘Forests of the World’, was available for Public and School viewing from the 20th till the 16th of May, 2013. This is the second time that St. Martin’s is benefitting from the services of KOPIN, the first time being in the form of seminars organised for both Foundation and First Diploma students held at the Institute itself and aimed towards a similar topic.

After the talk and the viewing of a photography exhibition by a renowned Italian photographer, accompanied by two videos on the situation in South America and Central Afri- ca, the students were taken on an exploration of Buskett Gardens on a pre-planned route. This Science walk was aimed to show the students that the domestic situation is to be protected as much as the international situation. The students benefitted from the know-how and expertise of a Be Informed... local forest warden who explained much about local fauna and how easy it can be to extend a forest’s life while liv- ing in harmony with it. The event was organised by Mr. Joe Camilleri and Mr. Dunstan Briffa, together with the priceless Become a UoL Student cooperation of Mr. Silvio Mcgurk and Ms. Mariella Stivala. Other lecturers from the Institute will be roped into the event to continue the second part of the project in the form of a site-building project involving both student groups.

31 >>> aspire Day at PricewaterhouseCoopers for Students Studying AC 3093 by Stephanie Bonnici (Second Year in BSc Accounting and Finance)

Three staff members of different posi- A lunch break was then given and we tions were then brought in to describe were presented with a nice selection of their roles and their experiences in food and drinks. working at the firm. This included a manager, a junior audit associate and a After that, Stefania gave us a tour of the newcomer. All were very friendly and office and showed us how they were their testimonials gave us a very insight- structured to accommodate the differ- ful idea of what their roles are like and ent functions and levels of employees. what the firm has to offer for different Her associate then arrived and intro- people; such as students, new-joiners duced us to three different employees and those with a penchant for travelling. (a manager, a supervisor and an audit associate) who explained their roles and described a typical day in their working Richard Galea, our lecturer, had kindly life. All were very interesting and open arranged for us to visit the number one to questions. audit firm in Malta and internation- ally. This was done in order to provide We concluded the day with a presenta- us with a more vocational idea of what tion from Stefania on interview skills actually goes on in practice, and to link and tips, with particular reference to that to the theory we have studied. firms dealing in finance. This proved to be very useful for us students, as we were We met at 9am outside the PwC premis- provided with a very good knowledge of es, and were greeted by Stefania Curmi, dos and don'ts from an experienced pro- the firm's Human Resource manager. fessional in the area. She then led us to one of the training rooms and ran through the schedule for Overall the day proved to be a very en- the day. riching experience for students studying Afterwards, an audit associate was audit. It was an honour to be given the Stefania proceeded to give us an over- brought in to give us an overview of the chance to visit one of the most well- view of PwC, both nationally and inter- auditing process and answer any ques- known and relevant firms in the history nationally, and explained the services it tions we had about the practice. We then of auditing and we thank Richard Galea offers and how the firm is structured to went over a case study with her; where for presenting us with such an opportu- accommodate the people carrying out together we discussed what we would do nity. these services (audit, tax and advisory, in practice when faced with a particular mainly). She was very eager to answer situation. any queries we had, both on audit and the firm.

33 >>> aspire Being Different... by Raissa Borg

Mandy was not the ‘typical girl’ that try and find something different to Gabriel was worried about Mandy in really bad shape and Mandy real- all the boys searched for. She was a wear. She usually wore jeans or track- and so kept on checking on her. Even- ised what a bad choice she had made wallflower, a tomboy and sometimes, suit trousers, but the next day she tually, he noticed that she had bruises when she left him to make other quite shy. She was always chosen last wore a short black skirt, a white shirt on her legs. He was so worried that friends. She felt so guilty. when groups were made and wasn’t and heels. When Gabriel picked her he followed her when she was on a very confident. Mandy’s only friend up for school he was surprised to see date with her new boyfriend Nick. The nurses took Gabriel into inten- was Gabriel, who knew all her se- what she was wearing but was also He followed them to the beach where sive care. Mandy was really worried crets. He was like a brother to her disappointed because he preferred they were going to spend sometime about him but tried her best to stay and made her feel like she could be the old Mandy with her messy hair alone under the stars. Gabriel waited calm. When the doctor went to see herself. and tracksuit trousers. in his car, watching them. him he told Mandy that Gabriel’s in- juries were not serious and she could Mandy had a secret crush on a guy When Gabriel asked Mandy why she After a while Gabriel heard scream- go and see him. one year older than her at school, but had changed so much she admitted ing. He recognised the voice it was she never had the courage to talk to that it was because she wanted boys Mandy. He left his car and ran to her Gabriel was awake and so happy to him because she thought that he was to notice her, even though she knew rescue and found Nick abusing her see her. They joked a lot and Man- way out of her league as he was very she did not feel comfortable to be violently. Gabriel was furious and dy apologised for what she had done handsome and she always thought of dressed that way. When Susy saw her pulled Nick off Mandy and punched and Gabriel forgave her. He told her herself as ugly. Gabriel always told she was impressed by the new Mandy him in the face. They began to fight that he had really missed her. He told her not to judge herself in that way, as and asked her to join her gang and with Mandy trying to stop them but her never to change for a stupid guy he really liked her (even though she leave Gabriel behind her, which is Nick was a tough guy. He punched because she deserves to be liked for did not know it). what she did. Gabriel so hard that he fell to the the way she is. He never told her how Gabriel was really sad and disap- ground with blood coming out of his much he really liked her! Mandy was always bullied at school pointed to have lost his best friend. mouth. because she got the highest grades in At break time he was left to play foot- her assignments and when Gabriel ball alone, when he was always used Mandy ran to Gabriel but found him was absent from school she would sit to playing football with his friend unconscious, she began to panic and in the same corner all alone. Mandy. As the weeks went by Mandy called an ambulance. Till the ambu- continued to change and eventually lance arrived she continued to argue “Everyone deserves One day, when Gabriel was absent she completely forgot about Gabriel. with Nick who finally admitted that to feel good about from school, Susy (one of her class- he only noticed her because she had themselves, and if mates) asked Mandy to join her Finally, Mandy started to go out with changed her appearance and the only group and have a chat with them. the boy she had always had a crush thing he wanted was to sleep with her you don't then start They were discussing boys and asked on, Nick. However, even though she and would have broken up with her because everyone is Mandy her preference when it came tired to hide it, Gabriel noticed that after that. He was using her. Mandy beautiful. ” to boys. When she told them they all she seemed scared when she was with was heartbroken. laughed at her and told her that in or- Nick. He tried to talk to her about it der for her to get that type of boy she but even though she kept on avoiding The ambulance arrived and took Ga- would need to change herself. him, he was determined to find out briel to the hospital. Mandy did not what was wrong. want to leave Gabriel’s side and went That evening Mandy went home to with him to the hospital. Gabriel was

35 >>> aspire aspire <<< 36 8. Thank you for sharing your experi- ences with us Steve ... one last ques- The Finish Line tion any final thoughts or suggestions Steve Camilleri's interview (Degree in Business & Entrepreneurship) for students who find it difficult to cope with studying and their daily life 2. Could you describe your current 4. Working and studying is definitely in general? course and the ups and downs of read- not easy ... but you are also an athlete! I’d say when there is a will there is a ing for a Degree with the University of And correct me if I am wrong – you way, I know sometimes it’s hard to be London through St. Martin’s Institute? have also represented Malta in several committed to other things then uni- I always wanted to study business ad- occasions abroad ... would you care to versity but there are loads of benefits ministration so I like my course, the elaborate on this? when a person does sports and it will very good thing about it is that since certainly open a lot of opportunities at St Martins we are a small class, we Yes, I have been training since I was 5, I am into long distance and foot- in life. Apart from the other benefits get a lot of attention from lecturers please tell me how you manage your and watching football and snorkel- ball, but I prefer individual sports for it has. and it is easier to understand quicker, time? – it cannot be that easy for sure! ling. I am aslo interested in watching the simple reason that I don’t depend also whenever I have a problem I can any Olympic sport. I try to dedicate on anyone and whatever I achieve contact the lecturers at any time and Yes, gym is part of my athletics some time, usually on the weekend, I know I have work for it myself. I they are always ready to help. training. I train four times a week to meet my friends, as I believe so- competed many times for the Na- on the track and twice a week at the cial life is very important to balance tional Team, first time was when I gym. Sometimes even morning and things in life. 3. Besides University, you also work was 15 at the European U16 Cham- evening sessions (up to 10 sessions 1. The first time I saw you, was as a part-time. Is this difficult to manage pionships, finishing 4th in the 60m. a week) Sunday is my only rest day. first year student at St. Martin’s In- This year will probably be the biggest and would you see it as something During lectures I try to take short 7. I can imagine that besides all the stitute of I.T., and I never would have year up till now for me as I will be which helps you in the course you’re notes and before I sleep and during activities that you are involved in, imagined that what I was seeing was aiming to compete at the European currently undergoing or do you see it the weekend I study them to remem- you must also have some free time. just the pinnacle of an iceberg – There U23 Championships and University just as a source of income? ber what we did before. I just got used How do you spend this free-time? Or is a lot more than meets the eye to Ste- Games, where there will be most of to this lifestyle and wouldn’t manage are your life activities part and parcel ve Camilleri ... Can you just mention Personally I think working and stud- the world’s top class athletes as well to change it, not even during exams. with your free-time? a few of the current activities you are ying helps me put into practice what as many other International and local Training helps me relax and look at engaged in? I study and sometimes it’s easier to competitions. things in a positive way. My life is practically planned every understand some concepts/theories. week. I have my usual St Martin’s lec- Well, apart from being a full time stu- Since I work flexible hours, I can tures, work and training. Whenever dent at St Martins, reading a degree work more/less depending on how 5. Steve, you also train in a gym – so 6. Any other hobbies or hidden talents I’m free I either watch some TV se- in business administration, I also busy I am with my course. As long as basically you are currently reading for that we do not know of yet? ries, football or meet up with friends. work part time as an accounts clerk my degree comes first I always man- and I am a track and field athlete. a Degree, you work, you train as an aged to do both, and training. athlete and you go to a gym! Can you Not that I know of. I love playing

37 >>> aspire aspire <<< 38

When I was younger, about 7 years 5. Have you taught yourself how to use One other main difficulty in Photo- old, I had the mentality that I had Photoshop as a drawing medium? shop is the blending of colours. It has Photoshop Toons! achieved the ultimate goal in my life As a matter of fact I did. I just started nothing to do with the normal blend- – playing football. I now realise what experimenting with my brother’s tab- ing done via paper. I had the mental- a huge mistake that was. I was like, let and watching tutorials on the in- ity that I should not press the styles “I don’t need to draw. That’s a waste ternet on how to apply several tech- as to have a smooth light colour and of time!” (And I used to pick at my niques. Before I began drawing on then begin blending. This was not the brother for being able to draw, un- Photoshop, I began practicing really case, as blending is done with sever- like me) I used to dedicate more time hard on paper. It is only recently that al different techniques, and unfor- training rather than drawing. I was interested in Photoshop. Well, tunately, paper-style blending is not since I managed to reach a satisfacto- one of them. 4. Have you ever studied drawing as a rily level in hand drawing with pencil subject? colours, I wanted something more. 8. Why Photoshop? If 2 weeks of forced private lessons I guess this is a good thing, because Since I managed to achieve a good are considered as studying, than yes that is the sole ability which helps us result with hand drawn objects, I de- I have studied drawing! Since my achieve something better than we al- cided to enhance my ability by using brother and I are nearly of the same ready posses. Photoshop. Most of the drawings age, my mother decided to enrol us found on internet using Photoshop for drawing private lessons. It was the It was a difficult task indeed. The feel are mind blowing. Infact it wasn’t teacher itself who stopped me. If my from paper to tablet is very different. until very recent that I began using memory serves well, her exact words No same techniques can be applied, Photoshop, mainly for a school as- to my mother were “I am sorry, but especially when blending colours. signment that I had and then con- you are wasting your time on your 6. What are the subjects you like draw- tinued drawing as a pastime. One of child. It’s better if he performs other ing and why? the main reasons for using Photo- Dylan Busuttil is a current student at St. Martin’s Institute of I.T. His hobbies activities”. She always used to praise Hmmm, I mainly like to draw char- shop is that I can erase small parts include using Photoshop, not simply to edit, but to start building artistic works all the other students, whereas in acters from Japanese anime. Well I of the framework without worrying from scratch. He is totally self-learned and an example to other students who my case, well ... I was always fooling guess there’s a valid reason to that. As about smudging the whole paper. I are daunted with the idea of starting something new. Dylan shares his experi- around and not showing any interest a young child I used to spend count- can zoom into a lot of detail and edit/ ences with us. Reading on it is very interesting to see that he is an example that at all. It was as if to get revenge on my less hours watching these cartoons re-edit over my work until I reach the many might consider following. His dreams are vast and many, yet his stamina parents for enrolling me in private such as Dragon ball, Pokémon and designated level. is strong and he has persuaded himself that life is not worth living, if there is lessons against my will. Digimon. As one can imagine, they nothing to look forward to every single day. “It was a difficult task in- make a huge impact on any child. 9. Would you be interested at some point in time to start a course in Com- deed. The feel from paper And when asked to draw something, 1. What course are you currently stud- I may recall two particular episodes 3. Since when have you been interest- puter Gaming and go beyond drawing to tablet is very different. characters from these anime flew ying in? from my childhood which incurs my ed in drawing and/or painting? through my mind. on Photoshop? I am currently studying Software keen urge in IT. Well the first one is To be honest I was very bad at draw- No same techniques can be Well this would definitely be a huge B-TEC National Diploma at MCAST. that my father always worked on the ing, I could not even draw a simple applied, especially when 7. What are the main difficulties in us- leap of faith in my studies. Without This is the last year and I be conclud- computer and that encouraged me. circle or any other basic shape. I was blending colours.” ing Photoshop? a doubt, I would gladly consider the ing the course. The other episode is in conjunction always interested in art, that is, fas- Well first of all it is very difficult fact to enter such a course. I think with gaming. My father had just re- cinated by other people’s abilities At a later stage in my life, I had art to draw on Photoshop using only that Computer gaming and draw- 2. Since when have you been interest- cently bought us the first play station, and interpretive ideas of their art, at secondary school. I attended De a mouse. Even if I have the latest ings in Photoshop go hand in hand ed in I.T.? and an explosive interest was aroused but lacked the ability and patience to La Salle College and in the secondary mouse, with a High dpi and super ac- together. Say, character design, scen- Well I don’t recall having said “Wow, as to see how the graphics and all ‘the perform. This often led me to horren- years of my life I had Art as a com- curacy, it still would feel difficult for eries, logos and other visual art con- I am interested in IT” ... since I was behind the work’ scenes were made. dous frustrations. Well, to be honest, pulsory subject. This was one of the me to draw. I use a graphics tablet in cepts are an important factor in the born in the computer era, I guess it I was interested and not interested subjects I hated most of all! Everyone order to draw; this helps me main- gaming industries nowadays. just came naturally for me to be in- at the same time to learn drawing. used to compare me with my brother. tain a natural feel whilst drawing and I am hoping to begin such a course as terested in technology. Nonetheless, be more accurate. early as next year. 41 >>> aspire aspire <<< 42 I also like films and television series. how to perform, as your abilities Gaming in Malta is still a very small I have a whole collection at home, would be restricted and in a confined business, and most people still have nearly 700 films (various genres) col- space. Always strive for something the mentality that gaming is a waste lected over the span of 5 years. Films new and be acquainted with your of time. Japan would be the most fas- are a great way of forgetting about the limits. Life is a journey, and yes it is a cinating and life changing experience current problems and allowing your- very nasty one indeed! But never give in my life and I would gladly sacrifice self to be immersed into the story. up, there is always a beam of light at anything to work within a company Along with that I also enjoy watch- the end of the tunnel. I hope that such as ‘Hideo Kijima Productions; ing Japanese anime like Naruto, One each and every one of you would be from the ‘Metal Gear Series’ to work Piece and Bleach. I also enjoy watch- able to see the fill possibilities within as a graphics designer or concept ing all types of series. due time, and expand on your new artist. Nonetheless, I am not narrow- abilities which would give you the ing my line of work; as I also like 3D Some other minor hobbies I have are immense satisfaction of performing modelling design and am willing to building ‘Burago’ model kit cars from it over and over again. work in that sector too. That would scratch and collecting sticker albums. literally make me the happiest man Well those are my hobbies apart from 14. Where do you see yourself in let’s on Earth! drawing. Well, I still do consider in- say 5 to 10 years time? troducing other hobbies to my list, as Well that is a tricky question. I do long as it gives me satisfaction. hope that I would have achieved my degree by then and read for Masters 13. Any tips or hints that you would and hopefully a PHD. I am consid- 10. Do you think that this medium original way, is a form of art which is the persistence of my classmates, I like to share with our readers? ering the fact to emigrate and live in is something which appeals to young appreciated by everyone, regardless was encouraged to enrol myself into a European country such as Germa- people? Why? of their age. a gym, where I was still training till Yeah there is something I would want ny, or on the extreme sides - Japan. Definitely! Work done on Photo- recently. I do have a lot of hobbies to share. Don’t ever stick with things/ Well the reason being that the job I shop never dies. This means that the 11. Have you tried any other pro- and one of them is playing a string activities or objects which you know am looking for is gaming related. drawings made can be altered once gramme to practice your artistic tal- instrument, the guitar. I have been too many. The young people in this ents? playing the guitar for almost 2 years and future generation are all mostly To be honest, no not really. I haven’t now, and am sitting for my very first into gaming. Whether it is console had the time to explore other pro- exam at the end of this month. This based or on a computer, there is of- grams. I am still experimenting on hobby came out of nowhere. I never ten an art gallery involved directly Photoshop. Rest assured I will defi- knew that I could do such a thing. or indirectly. The opening videos of nitely lurk onto something else, once The fact that I was out of sports, I games consist of long working hours, I gain the desired level on Photoshop. started fishing for some activity to and Photoshop, as well as other var- do, and playing an instrument came ious software programs play an im- 12. How do you spend your free time to my mind. This is one of the very portant role to bring these fictitious besides drawing on Photoshop? proud hobbies I have, as music is a characters to life. Some games also Well I can’t imagine myself doing living thing. It helps me express my have the inbuilt ‘Art gallery’ where nothing for more than 5 minutes. It moods without talking. art fanatics, like me, appreciate the drives me crazy, I need to do some- “Always strive for some- value of some professional artists and thing in order to keep on going nor- thing new and be ac- their work on Photoshop. Despite the mally. I consider myself an active per- quainted with your limits. fact, that most people say that young son and at age 6 to 18 I used to play The above drawings are Life is a journey, and yes it people are becoming more and more football but had to stop due some copyrighted to Dylan is a very nasty one indeed! Busuttil lazy, gaming still remains one of their gruesome injuries. Well after I real- first priorities. Gaming in its own ised I could not play anymore, with But never give up ...”

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Call us from 2260 1000 08:00 to 20:00 www.banif.com.mt is where I tried to find the wed- had a son called Angelo Debono. Who Am I? Now the newborn son Antonio ding of his parents Giuseppe On the site, under the De Vacca- PART 3 would marry and have a son 19 and Rosa - but to no avail. Then ro descendants, I found a Gus- by Jonathan Barbara years later in Malta - and I want- it dawned on me that the wid- mano Debono, son of an Angelo A continuation of one man’s travels in history to discovery ed to learn why and when the ow would have returned to her Debono. Since it was customary his ancestors ... son had come back to Malta. family - so probably Rosa is from to name the son after his grand- One source of information was Zurrieq, with no guarantee that father, I had high hopes that it What things have been hard? the Customs Records in Santo Giuseppe was from there. was the same Gusmano. Looking the name. One had to communi- Spirito Hospital in Rabat. But at my research I realised that I Records of great-great-great- His birth there was estimated to cate with the centre via postal with 20 years span of searching, had not managed to find my Gus- grandpa born in Algeria to be in the 1830s and he would’ve mail as at the time they had reg- with 3 to 4 volumes per year, and Interesting Facts mano Debono’s wedding (within Maltese parents been part of the European Colo- ulations not to communicate via each volume being a giant tome which his parents would have nization of Algeria. internet. I sent them my postal of about two inches tick, I gave Noble ancestry (Count Roger, been mentioned, thus confirm- My dad had photos of his grand- address by email asking for the up. (You would need about two William the Conqueror, Charle- ing that his father WAS Angelo Attempts to contact Algerians father Leonard (right), whose act or at least for instructions hours per volume). So I returned magne) Debono). father, Carmelo, had been given proved futile and when success- on how to go about getting the to the CAOM website to look for ful, a reply came a month later the nickname “La Karm”. act. In the meantime, an elderly more possible reasons - and I dis- My research in the parish re- So, on the next occasion, which with no help given. french lady in her 60s saw my covered that a Giuseppe Barbara cords of Attard came to an end was a Friday, I went to Attard to The only information (from my post and on her next visit she ac- died a year later. Now, Antonio’s when I reached the oldest regis- make another attempt at find- I was put off this research with paternal grandpa) I had about quired the act for me. She sent father was named Giuseppe, tries available, bearing records ing Gusmano’s marriage to Isa- my visits to the Attard parish and Carmelo’s father (my 3rd Great me an email telling me what she and, a widow with a one year of events that happened in the bella Azzopardi. Since last time put it on the back burner. (At the grandpa), Antonio, was that he had done and waived the usual old son would possibly not be 1580s. Moreover, in the first I had not succeeded in finding far back). was born in Bona, but his par- two stamp payment since she willing to stay in a foreign coun- twenty years after the Council him, I based my search on his ents were Maltese. had not warned me beforehand. try where she was an outcast - a of Trent, which decreed the ne- wife, whose name Isabella was Then on the Malta Genealo- She gladly waived it when she valid reason to return back to cessity of the marriage banns quite unpopular at the time. This gy Forums I came across a guy Some geographical research lo- learnt that I was Maltese and she Malta. So I asked the french lady before the wedding and thus the search proved fruitful, with one who was born in Bone, Algeria. cated Bona (Bone) in Algeria, promised she would send it by if she could, on her next visit to keeping of such records, it was dilemma: Gusmano was listed as I asked him through the forums North Africa. post. CAOM, check out his death re- not required to mention the fa- Azzopardi not Debono. I looked if he could help me find anything cord (without incurring her any ther of the person involved and at the details of the event, and about my ancestors there but he A couple of days later I received copying costs). This she duly did, thus not very easy to continue he was listed as “Gusmano fil. replied that he’d been away for from CAOM, telling me that they but on the record there was no the search further. qdam Angelo et Caterina Azzo- 10 years now and he could not of- do not do research on your be- mention of his wife and kid, but pardi” - meaning “ Gusmano son fer any help. Another let down. half but you, or your represent- of his Maltese parents. She also A couple of years later I was of the late Angelo and Caterina ative, can visit the centre in Aix- discovered that Antonio had an considering transcribing the re- Azzopardi”. Now, I had come But a couple of days later an en-Provence to do the research. older brother, Tony, being born a search that I had made so far across this phenomenon before: Australian replied to my query- But for once, they also sent the year earlier. when I came across the MaltaGe- sometimes, when the father is ing post that the French govern- act I had requested! It was quite nealogy site which has listings of dead, the mother is listed with ment had an online site where detailed, giving the date of birth, This would give a further valid descendants of Maltese nobles, her MAIDEN name. Moreover, one could research these records the parents’ names, their home reason for the widow Rosa to re- going even further back than the the record I was looking at was (since Algeria was a French colo- in Bone, and the father’s occupa- turn to Malta with her kids. (Un- 1580s and even linking to euro- a transcription of the original, ny at the time). tion. Alas, they only mentioned less Antonio wasn’t named after pean royalties in some cases. I making a second mistake in tran- that the parents were Maltese, his dead(?) brother Tony). thus decided to see if any of my scription possible. So, my theory I did find details of one who without specifying which town oldest findings would link to any was this: Gusmano was listed as could be my long-lost ancestor they hailed from. A couple of Antonio’s marriage in Zurrieq of these descendants. The only Azzopardi based on his mother’s Antonio but the site only gave days later I received the same re- would lead one to think that his possible link at that time was a maiden name, not on his father’s the year, the event, where, and cord from the french lady. family is from Zurrieq - and that certain Gusmano Debono who surname. But this was just my

47 >>> aspire aspire <<< 48 theory, an optimistic theory wanting to link to the noble De Vaccaro. July 2013 There was only one way to prove my theory: find Gusmano’s birth record, so I set to the task. I was afraid his birth would have been too early to be recorded (he was married in 1601) but I was lucky: I found his birth record on the 5th page of the first volume of births! PHEW!

Was I correct?

Cosma Debono son of Angelo Debono and Caterina born on 27th September 1582....

I was of course very happy that my research had led to some interesting findings. I began filling in ances- try charts with the new ancestors - only to discover that along the way, there were marriages into other noble families - amongst them the Vassallos (my mother is a Vassallo). Following that link I discovered more ancestors, and more links, and more ancestors, until I reached 1175 when the Vassallo family married into the House of Savoy. There were no links here but I was sure I could find the Savoy family tree on the Internet. There followed a weekend of exhilarating research filling in over 60 ancestral charts full of royal ancestors, amongst whom Count Roger of Sicily, William the Conqueror and Charlemagne.

Some words of encouragement for budding genealogists that are out there. • Start Early. There is lots of information waiting to be found, but you have to run around to get it. You might be to old to travel around if you leave it for later!

• Involve Your Family. Get your cousins abroad to contribute to the research and get another member of the family to work with you. It gets lonely!

• Organise Your Research. Make sure you document all your findings and keep track of what to do next.

• Print your Findings. Don’t let your research become lost - make sure you end up ith a tangible proof of your work: maybe a big wall chart maybe a book, maybe a scrapbook - whatever. It’ll be something to treasure for generations to come.

• Don’t Give Up. Not everyone will encourage you, some will even laugh at you. But it’s your personal history and heritage, yours and yours alone. You are who you are because they were. Join online forums and help wherever you can - you will receive help in return and not feel alone anymore.

49 >>> aspire For more info contact us on: [email protected] <<< 18 “Importantly, I learnt that St Martin's had a good record for its students gaining first class honours is a Requisite degrees, and it’s nice to ExcellenceJonathan Grumley study for a London-based degree whilst living on a Mediterranean island.”

“I am motivated by the very essence The benefits of combining study- to its depth of material, analytical of a challenge. This is the reason I ing with work. approach and prestige. The reputa- chose University of London over oth- During the second year of his stud- tion of the degree alone is enough er possible universities to read for my ies Jonathan applied for a graduate for one to want to follow the de- degree,” explains Jonathan Grumley, programme with Vodafone as he gree. This reputation is clearly built who was studying for his A levels in was interested in getting practical on its quality, which I have a first- Dubai when he attended a seminar and hands-on experience in apply- hand experience of." about the University of London Inter- ing the knowledge learnt on the national Programmes. degree. “I was one of 20 out of 386 His advice for other students applicants who were invited to un- “My advice for other students is When Jonathan found out that he dertake seven hours of testing as that the degree is demanding and could study for a BSc Economics and part of the selection process. I was you should put in many hours stud- Management at St Martin's Institute successful and offered a position in ying. In order to be successful you of Information Technology in Malta, the Marketing Department at Voda- need to get to grips with the con- he took up the opportunity. Jonathan fone. My role was to analyse which tent of the modules and not simply was familiar with Malta as his moth- handheld devices (phones and tab- memorise it. Hard work pays off, er is from the island. “Importantly, I lets) were in demand and which and my experience proves this. You learnt that St Martin's had a good re- devices cost the company the least may be able to sail through other cord for its students gaining first class to offer to the market. Vodafone of- degrees and get a qualification, but honours degrees, and it’s nice to study fered me flexible working hours in whichever degree you are reading for a London-based degree whilst liv- order that I could combine study- from the University of London you ing on a Mediterranean island.” ing with my job." know its substance will help you in your career in the future. You will be “I have already recommended this proud that you have such a prestig- degree to my younger brother who ious degree when it’s all over.” is in his first year of the same de- gree. I recommended it to him due Article adapted from – London Connection The Online Magazine of the University of London International Programmes aspire <<< 52 A Time for Everything What is it exactly that you do with Do you consider this as a hobby? Do by Emily Demajo SPCA? you have other hobbies besides? I volunteer to organize and partic- I love planning and I love animals ipate in events and work at these so this is a hobby for me and I get to events for the SPCA to help raise familiarise myself with large events, money. and meet new people. Other hob- bies include wedding planning, bas- How long have you been involved with ketball, travelling (a lot!!), archery, SPCA? shooting (I’m getting my license this Location: Since last September summer ;)…. Don’t worry). Shelter and Bookstore: St. Francis Ravelin Street , FRN 1231 Floriana, Malta How did you get involved originally? Did you commit yourself voluntarily Paws 4 a Cause Shop: 25 Gorg Borg Olivier Street (Near St James The SPCA put an advert on Face- or otherwise? Hospital), Sliema, Malta book asking for volunteers to help I volunteered. in event planning and I volunteered. Facebook Pages: I’m doing my diploma in Wedding Is it something you do regularly or MALTA SPCA - Paws 4 A Cause Charity Shop - GOZO SPCA and Event planning and thought this randomly? would add to my experience along Randomly at the moment as there Opening Hours: with doing my part for the animals. hasn’t been a fair since the one at SPCA HOME - Mon to Fri: 10.30 - 14.00, Sat 10.30 - 12.00 Christmas. After May, I will dedicate SPCA FLORIANA BOOK SHOP - Mon to Fri: 10.00 - 13.00, Anyone else in your family who is in- more time to prepare events to earn Sat 10.00 - 12.00 volved in a similar venture? money to build the new SPCA Cen- My mother is the manageress at the tre/Shelter. PAWS 4 A CAUSE SLIEMA CHARITY SHOP - Paws 4 A Cause animal charity shop Mon to Fri 9.30 - 17.30, Sat 9.30 - 13.00 in Sliema. Do you have a general love for animals or is there a special type of pet which Contact Information: Do you find time between studies and you prefer? Phone: 21230468 what you do at SPCA? I love most animals (not keen on Email: [email protected] & [email protected] If the SPCA calls me to help in an snakes and spiders!). My favourite Website: http://www.spcamalta.org event I’ll go whenever I can (especial- animals are bunnies, but I Love dogs ly now after my Degree is finished). too. Can you tell us about any past and fu- equipment and even house ware such There will many summer events that ture events you helped in or intend to a Crystal! Everything is sold at amaz- help in? need to be planned. I am amongst a Do you have any personal pets? ingly low prices and are in good con- I’ve helped in The Christmas Fair small group of people who togeth- I have three rabbits, and two dogs at dition. People can sponsor a Dog or a which was held at the Ta Qali Petting er try and come up with great ways the moment. At one point we had 22 Cat in case they can’t keep an animal Farm. I intend to help at the Yearly to raise money for the SPCA, and I pets in the house – 10 cats, 4 dogs, 2 at home but still want to help out! SPCA fair at Palazzo Parisio, and any volunteer to man stands at the fairs, birds, 6 rabbits. (see the pamphlet I sent) They can sell items and do anything else that other future events that crop up! also adopt an animal from the shel- is needed. What would be your epic holiday – ter in Floriana. Volunteers are always How can our readers help with SPCA? EuroTrip or African Safari? welcome to help out at the shop (if Every little helps!! Donations are al- What affects your commitment to African Safari! I’ve been to a lot of needed) and at the shelters. ways accepted! There’s the Paws 4 A SPCA? places in Europe now I’m ready for Cause shop in Sliema which sells sec- School work. I’m very busy and so a change. Perhaps India, Peru and ond hand items ranging from clothes, can only find a little time to help at somewhere in Africa like Botswana! the moment. to books, to furniture, to electronic

53 >>> aspire aspire <<< 54 optimisation of sensor placement in 2. Any personal hobbies that you projects to conference papers. While a given system. The aim is to identi- would like to share with us? this is not a requirement for the fy the best locations where to install completion of the degree, it is very Up and Away sensors such that they guarantee My passion is football. I play 5-A-side important to prepare those students high monitoring abilities while keep football regularly and try to keep fit that would like to build an academic the costs to a minimum. The fourth by regular fitness training in a gym. career. project concerns machine-vision, in When the weather permits I enjoy bi- particular we are doing research and cycle rides along with friends around 5. Would you remember any particular development of video retrieval in re- the charming villages of Groningen. moment in your studying experience al-time surveillance video cameras. with St. Martin’s which stands out as 3. Can you go back in your memory memorable and never to be forgotten? and describe the experience you had “Definitely the best experience studying under the tutors of St. Mar- At St. Martins I made many friends was the graduation day in tin’s Institute of I.T.? and we shared several experiences “St. Martin’s provided me London and the celebrations together. In particular, I remember a unique opportunity to be that followed. All the hard St. Martin’s provided me a unique studying in groups for exams and the where I am today. The tutors work paid off!” opportunity to be where I am today. post-exams parties. Definitely the of St. Martin’s are interested, The tutors of St. Martin’s are interest- best experience was the graduation experienced, knowledgeable At the University of Groningen, I am ed, experienced, knowledgeable and day in London and the celebrations and dedicated. I believe this a Researcher for one day per week. I dedicated. I believe this is the secret that followed. All the hard work paid is the secret behind the success collaborate with four other PhD stu- behind the success of St. Martin’s. I off! dents about fundamental and applied can recall several times when lectur- of St. Martin’s” research in the field of computer vi- ers stayed late after lectures discuss- 6. What made you decide to choose St. sion, supervising the projects of one ing certain concepts and exchanging Martin’s in the first place? intern student and a Masters student, emails also during weekends. In par- and collaborating with a post-doc- ticular, during the examination pe- I chose St. Martin’s because, to the torate from a different internation- riod the lecturers were always avail- best of my knowledge, it was the only al university. The projects that I am able. I take the opportunity here to institute that was providing tuition in Mr. George Azzopardi is an ex-student of St. Martin’s of I.T. He finished his Degree at the Institute a while ago but he made involved in concern computational thank them again for their invaluable the evenings for a distance-learning sure that his academic part of life did not stop there. Armed with a strong International Degree and a solid foundation in Ed- modelling of the visual system of the commitment. program with a top ranked universi- ucation his adventure continued. Aspire e-Magazine had the opportunity to interview Mr. Azzopardi. Reading his comments brain, image segmentation, and ob- ty. Considering that I was a full-time “I chose St. Martin’s because, is an insight into the life of a young man who aspired and achieved and is definitely not going to stop anytime soon. ject recognition based on the combi- employee in a Bank, this was the per- nation of shape and colour features. to the best of my knowledge, it fect opportunity for me to obtain a was the only institute that was 1. Could you tell us something about At TNO, I am a Research Innovator tect, for instance, any cracks as early We are using these methods for BSc degree in Computer Science in your present job and current position? and currently I am involved in four as possible. Another example is wa- tracking of objects of interest in vid- providing tuition in the eve- parallel to my full-time job. projects. Two of which are related ter dikes. Given that large areas in eo clips (e.g. tracking the trajectory nings for a distance-learning I am currently employed with two en- and they are concerned with the au- the Netherlands are below sea level, of cars in busy roads, tracking pedes- program with a top ranked 7. Reading for a PhD is definitely not a tities. Four days per week I work for tomatic detection of anomalies in the the stability of dikes is critical. We are trians, etc …), retinal image analysis u n i v e r s i t y.” light task ... how did you come by this TNO (www.tno.nl), known as Neth- signals generated by sensors installed also investigating signal-processing for the identification of features that decision? erlands Organisation for Applied in physical infrastructures. We use algorithms to monitor the stability may indicate eyesight, neurological 4. Is there anything that you would Scientific Research, and on the other sensors to monitor the stability of a of, for instance, water height meas- as well as cardiovascular diseases, have changed in your experience with In short, it was due to my curiosity day I have a research position at the given system. For example, consider urements as a function of time. Sim- and for the automatic detection of St. Martin’s? and due to the sincere encourage- Intelligent Systems group (Computer the installation of sensors in a bridge ilarly here, we are doing research and vehicle license plates. The latter pro- ment of some people that I trust, Science) of University of Groningen that measures the pressure and vibra- development of algorithms to detect ject is in collaboration with a leading Something that I observed from my especially my wife Charmaine Borg. (www.rug.nl) . tion at given intervals. The anomaly anomalies as early as possible. The company in traffic control. experience in two international uni- The idea developed gradually. When detection system must be able to de- third project is concerned with the versities is that it is very fruitful to I was busy with my BSc project I dis- train students to extend their BSc covered my deep interest to work in 55 >>> aspire aspire <<< 56 the field of visual pattern recogni- tion. This was also thanks to my then motivated supervisor, Prof. Kenneth P. Camilleri. I became very curious about certain scientific concepts and wanted to extend further my studies by reading for an MSc program at Queen Mary University of London. Also, in London I found many help- ful lecturers especially Dr. Fabrizio Smeraldi who was the supervisor for my thesis. He encouraged me to ex- tend further my studies by applying for PhD positions. Charles Theuma was also an accomplice. I want to mention a memorable experience here. In March 2008 Charles Theu- ma flew to London with a group of new BSc graduates. At that time I was living in London reading for my MSc degree. Having kept good con- with a full-time job. The experience I “The experience I gained as tact, I met Charles Theuma in Russell gained as a software developer at the a software developer at the Square for lunch where he was very Bank coupled with the high quality Bank coupled with the high persuasive in encouraging me to go lectures at St. Martins provided me a quality lectures at St. Martins for PhD studies. solid basis to move forward. provided me a solid basis to move forward.” 9. Was your Degree with St. Martin’s “In March 2008 Charles an important factor in finding a suit- Theuma flew to London with able job? haps is more marketable in the job a group of new BSc gradu- industry instead of a direction that I ates ... I met Charles Theuma In my case I did not use the BSc de- like most but perhaps less marketa- in Russell Square for lunch gree to find a suitable job. It provided ble. I remember I discussed this mat- where he was very persuasive me an advantage to be accepted for ter with a Professor and he advised in encouraging me to go for the MSc degree in London and later me that in such cases I should follow PhD studies.” to be awarded a PhD scholarship by my heart before my mind. This is University of Groningen. what I did and this is what I advise 8. Did studying at St. Martin’s prepare to current and prospective students. you for your PhD saga? 10. Anything you would like to suggest or hint at for forthcoming and current When a person does what s/he likes Yes definitely! I believe it was a com- students of St. Martin’s Institute of to do most s/he can be much more bination of two things. First, the I.T.? creative, effective and efficient. These experience and broad academic ingredients coupled with persever- knowledge of the lecturing staff and When I started my MSc degree in ance, hard work and being respectful second the fact that I read for the London I was in a dilemma whether open the doors for many opportuni- BSc program in the evenings along I should specialise in a field that per- ties.

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