The Farsons Dissertation Awards for the best Master's dissertations in conservation and built heritage were presented to two University of Malta graduates on Monday evening.

The Award was set up in 2014, as part of a Memorandum of Understanding signed between Simonds Farsons Cisk plc, the Farsons Foundation and the University of Malta.

The aim of the Award is to celebrate the best Master's dissertations on cultural heritage conducted within the Department of Conservation and Built Heritage.

This year, during a ceremony held at the Fortress Builders Interpretation Centre in Valletta, Michael Farrugia, Chief Business Development Officer at Simonds Farsons Cisk, and Professor Saviour Zammit, Pro-Rector for Research and Knowledge Transfer, presented the award for 2014-2015 to Kenneth Cassar, who followed the M.A. (Cultural Heritage Management) course, for his dissertation on Authenticity in Historic House Museums: the Maltese Scenario, and the award for 2015 - 2016 to Perit Shirley Xuereb, who followed the M.Sc. (Conservation Technology for Masonry Buildings) course  for her dissertation on Values based study on the conservation of modern buildings.

Mr Farrugia gave a brief presentation on the Farsons Business Park and the visitor centre being created at the Mrieħel Brewery.

The awardees also gave a short presentation on their research and experience as Master's students within the Department of Conservation and Built Heritage.

The Dean of the Faculty for the Built Environment, Professor Alex Torpiano, thanked the Farsons Foundation for their support towards cultural heritage studies at the University of Malta.