On behalf of the Friends of the National Archives, I would like to express our appreciation for the decision of the University of Malta to start new courses on archives and records management. This was a Friends’ of the National Archives dreams, which have now came true.

The courses announced are a Diploma in Archives and Records Management and a Degree in Library, Archives and Information Studies. The courses will be available in October 2005 and applications by interested individuals must be submitted in the month of July. We encourage those who are interested and wish to work in archives or other administrative documents, to submit an application for these courses.

We consider that through this initiative, the Maltese archives sector will, in future, have a number of skilled, proficient and well-trained people who are certified by the University.

This could lead to an immense leap in quality. Together with the reform in the management of the National Archives, the profession has a challenging future. The legislation reforming the archives, passed through Parliament two months ago. Thus, we encourage the Minister of Education to implement the law, given that each day can provide the sector with exerting opportunities.

Once again we express our gratitude to everyone involved in the planning of the said courses, especially to the directors of the Division of the Librarianship at the University of Malta and those of the National Archives.

Max Farrugia

President – Friends of the National Archives