Professor Charles Farrugia, chairman of UNESCO Maltese National Commission, donated a selection of books to the MCAST library and Learning Resources Centre in the presence of Paul A. Attard, president of the MCAST Board of Governors, Prof. Maurice Grech, Principal, and Laurence Zerafa, Manager Library and Learning Resource Centre.

The publications received were mainly in the areas of Education and Training, Development, World heritage and Health and Education.

In accepting this donation of UNESCO publications Mr Zerafa, Manager Library and Learning Resources Centre, stated that the Library was set up four years ago and has as its main mission the direct support of MCAST lecturers and students in their lecturing and learning programmes respectively. The Library does this through its growing collections besides the direct support provided to patrons by professional library staff and the spaces, facilities and equipment it provides.

However the library moreover aspires to provide other collections beyond the strictly College academic requirements. This is done to support the wider general knowledge requirements of those who turn to Libraries as the main place for independent life-long education in the wider sense and for leisure purposes. It is in this context that this regular donation of UNESCO publications by Professor Farrugia is particularly welcome.

Professor Farrugia stated that “the Maltese National Commission for UNESCO is very pleased to contribute to the work which is being carried out at MCAST. While the National Commission rarely advertises its many activities that it carries out at a national level, it feels proud that in a small way it is helping the students of an emerging and dynamic institution”.

UNESCO promotes international co-operation among its Member States in the fields of education, science, culture and communications whilst working to create genuine dialogue amongst people of all races and beliefs. The observance of human rights, mutual respect and the alleviation of poverty are top priorities in UNESCO’s framework of activities.