St.

Edwards Street, Fortini,

T: 2340 7801

Email: crc@um.edu.mt

The University of Malta Cottonera Resource Centre which is located at St. Edwards Street Fortini, Vittoriosa celebrated its first year from its official launching on the 22nd of January 2012.

The University of Malta Cottonera Resource Centre was set up to act as a bridge between the communities in the inner harbor area and the University of Malta. It seeks to act as a hub that co-ordinates links between these communities and the University, facilitating resource-transfer and capacity building. The main aims of the Centre are the promote higher and tertiary education among these communities by building on existing skills and resources, providing information as well as support and guidance to those interested in furthering their education. At the same time, the Centres remit is to promote the areas potential, in the form of skills, trades and other forms of heritage that are particular to the region.

PROJECTS
- Mentoring Project
Last year the Cottonera Resource Centre carried out a mentoring project conducted with a group of students from St. Margaret College who are academically promising and might be in need of support in order to continue with their studies. A group of University students, who act as mentors, meet their mentees on a regular basis. Both mentors and mentees participated in several activities which included a scavenger hunt, attended LionKink a show organized by the KSU, visited St. Edward College and Happy Paws Animal Clinic. Some of the mentees were also interviewed live on a TV programme entitled Animal Diaries.

The mentees parents were also involved in this project. The College principal, Ms McNamara, organized monthly meetings with the mentees parents so that they could discuss issues concerning study and parental skills.

- SEC Revision Study Groups

CRC in collaboration with KSU organized a set of study groups for those students sitting for the SEC Ordinary level examinations. Revision sessions for various subjects were organized where the participants had the opportunity to work on past papers. The tutors who voluntarily participated in this project were all University students. Towards the end of April 2013, two members of the MATSEC Board met students from St. Margarets College to share them the common mistakes made by students in SEC papers.

Revision sessions for students sitting for SEC Ordinary level exams in May 2014 started at the beginning of January 2014. Those interested to apply, can send an email at crc@um.edu.mt

- Summer Revision Groups 2013

Summer revision sessions were organized for approximately 40 students. The students were nominated by the St. Margaret College principal, Ms McNamara. Participants were given help with Mathematics, Maltese and English. The tutors who participated in this project were all volunteers and consisted of University students, teachers from the community and University graduates.

- Kids on Campus 2013

13 students from Cottonera and Kalkara area were chosen by their respective head of schools to attend Kids on Campus summer school. During this summer school, the students had the opportunity to participate in various activities including sports and games, arts and crafts, swimming, dancing, drama and cooking. Moreover, the students took part in Information Technology and Personal and Social Development sessions. The students chosen were sponsored by the University of Malta.

- Darsu 2013
Darsu was a Faculty of Dentistry project created with the intention of promoting oral health and dental hygiene. Students and academic staff carried out a number of workshops, practical sessions and free dental checkups for children and young people at the Cottonera Resource Centre. Children who attended various summer schools (from Cottonera and nearby areas) took part in this projects, however some sessions were devoted to the general public.

- Youth Projects
The Cottonera Resource Centre in conjunction with the St. Margaret College ZTK Youth Club organized Open Spaces. This was a Youth in Action project and was held during summer. Open Spaces summer youth club consisted of a number of workshops promoting various media. The aim of this project was to raise awareness about the lack of appropriate and safe open spaces accessible to young people in the area. This issue was raised by young people who took part in a series of debates which took place during Skopri l-Unviersita` fit-Tlett Ibliet in 2012.

WAMA When Art Meets Acting Reloads was also organized by the Cottonera Resource Centre in collaboration with ZTK. WAMA is an artistic project where young people from St. Margaret College work with established artists. Several workshops were organized including art, drama and salt painting. This project is being funded by Il-Premju tal-President gall-Kreattivita`.

- University of the Third Age (U3E)

For the first time, people aged 60 and over could attend U3E courses at the Cottonera Resource Centre. Four courses (comprising of 8 sessions per course) were given on different topics during the 2013 and 2014 academic year. This years topics included the Church and the State in Malta which was given by Rev. Dr. Rene Camilleri; Chaples and Niches in Cottonera presented by Tony Terribile; the Mosaic picture of cultural heritage in Malta to be given by Mr. John Sare; and Pensions in Malta to be given by Mr. Joe Camilleri. This project which took place with the help of Prof. Troisi, is sponsored by the Parliamentary Secretariat for the Rights of Persons with Disability and Active Ageing. Registration is still open. For further information send an email to crc@um.edu.mt

- Public Lectures
A series of public lectures were held throughout the year and regarded topics such as The National Identity of Maltese Children (given by Dr. Carmen Fyfe), Francesco Vella: An unsung protagonist of Maltese Language Development (given by Prof. Arnold Cassola), 18 th Century Cottonera: a vibrant smart city open to the world (given by Prof. Carmel Vassallo) and The Dome painting by G. Cali in the chapel of the Crucifix in the Cospicua Collegiate Parish Church (given by Ms. Roberta De Angelis and Marquis De Piro). On the 24th of January a public lecture given by composer Mro.Ruben Zahra focused on Maltese Traditional Instruments.

- Others
Seminar on Identity and Racism: Young people attending ZTK youth club and a number of unaccompanied minor asylum seekers from Somalia participated in a session conducted by Dr. Carmen Fyfe on identity and racism.

Workshop: Ir-Rota, il-Lieva u Aktar Dr. Ing. Mario Farrugia carried out a workshop for students attending the St. Margaret College learning support centre and a group of students from Verdala Boys school. During this workshop the students had the opportunity to bring their own bikes to school and experienced a practical session on mechanics.

Evenings on Campus 2013

Akustika Concert

As part of the Evenings on Campus activities, the group Akustika performed at the Cottonera Resource Centre on the 2nd of August 2013, promoting Maltese songs.

Vivamus atque Amemus

Another Evenings on Campus activity was the play Vivamus atque Amemus. This event was organized by the Malta Classics Association in July 2013. The play which was in Maltese, promoted the work of the Roman poet Catullus.

Twembjent

On the 14th September 2013 the Cottonera Resource Centre participated in a programme of activities entitled Twembjent held at Paolino Vassallo square in Cospicua. This event was organized by the Centre for Faith and Justice in collaboration with a number of entities. Several NGOs used this opportunity to educate the public who attended on various issues related to the environment and religions. Bands and choirs entertained the audience. An open bus toured around Cospicua and highlighted several historical sites situated in this city.

Research The process and implementation of a local tourism plan for Bormla
Mr. Julian Zarb, visiting lecturer from the Institute for the Tourism, Culture and Travel organized a focus group involving community representatives at the Cottonera Resource Centre. Representatives from NGOs, the parish, local council and community met with the objective of drawing up a local tourism plan for Cospicua. These focus group sessions were held on the 17th and 18th October 2013.

Family Day Discover University

As part of the events of Discover University, the Cottonera Resource Centre participated in a Family Day held at the main campus on the 10th of November 2013. This event included various activities. The Cottonera Resource Centre participated in this event in collaboration with Domus Pius IX, the St. Margaret College Design and Technology group and ZTK. ZTK youth performed a flash mob on campus, while artefacts by members of the other organizations mentioned were exhibited to the general public.

Global Entrepreneurship Week

The University of Malta Cottonera Resource Centre in collaboration with the Edward de Bono Institute for the Design and Development of Thinking organized a crafts market on campus in which several female artisans had the opportunity to exhibit and sell their products on campus.

Italian Film Festival

Cinema Nuovo Italiano di Ragusa launched the 2013 Italian Film Festival at the Cottonera Resource Centre. The docufilm Terramatta was projected and afterwards those present had the opportunity to discuss issues related to the film in question with the organizer, Dott Minghardi. Typical Italian refreshments were served during this social gathering.