Once again, the US Embassy has contributed to the activities organised during America Week at the University of Malta. The University Students’ Council (KSU) put together a varied programme and the US Embassy contributed by providing daily sessions of student advising and information on various aspects of life in the United States. Students showing an interest in furthering their tertiary education in the United States were also given information on the visa application process.

One evening was dedicated to a jazz night featuring American jazz singer Deborah Harrison.

Ms Harrison, together with her companions, Paul Giordimaina on the keyboard, Sam Murgo on the Saxaphone and Laurie Simpson on the bass, captivated the audience with her repertoire. Aspiring Maltese songwriters also participated in a Song Writers’ Night during which their works were judged. Maltese-American Keith Anthony, from the well-known rock group Chasing Pandora, sat on the panel of judges.

Just a few days later, American author Sarah Manguso, from the American Academy in Rome, visited Malta to conduct a programme with the Department of English of the University of Malta. Ms. Manguso met with several Maltese authors and with University lecturers and students who are participating in a Creative Writing Programme recently launched by the University of Malta. Ms. Manguso is the 2007-2008 Joseph Brodsky Rome Prize Fellow at the American Academy in Rome.

Her collaboration with the Department of English was co-sponsored by the University of Malta and the US Embassy.

The US Embassy said that similar programmes with other fellows of the American Academy in Rome will take place regularly.