From Mr C. Saliba

Psychologist Mariella Blackman has finally received her warrant and she really merits this honour. She thanked those who had helped in her situation after the 2007

warrant ceremony, especially the Malta Union of Professional Psychologists.

There may have been various factors that led to this situation, but at least matters have been resolved and those responsible have accepted that she merits the warrant.

Another situation that is difficult to understand is that of the postgraduate diploma in Gerontology and Geriatrics when compared with the post-graduate diploma in Economics. When I asked about the level of the postgraduate diploma in Gerontology and Geriatrics, I was always referred to rule 8 of the course, which states that “admission into the Master’s Course is open to holders of the Diploma (Postgraduate Diploma in Gerontology and Geriatrics) obtained with a Final Weighted Average Mark of 70% or

better”.

This means that eligibility for the Master’s degree course in Gerontology and Geriatrics requires that a candidate has obtained an overall grade A or B in the postgraduate

diploma course.

I was formally advised that “master’s and postgraduate diploma belong to different cycles in the university structure”. What is meant by “different cycles”?

While the diploma in Gerontology and Geriatrics is recognised as a university diploma, the one in Economics is higher than a first degree, as explained by the recent legal notice 246 of 2007, which states in rule 6:

(1) The Course shall have two components as follows:

a) a taught component, consisting of a number of core and elective study-units, to which 60 ECTS credits shall be assigned; and

b) a research component, which shall lead to the submission of a dissertation written under supervision, to which 30 ECTS credits shall be assigned.

(2) Students who successfully complete the taught component of the Course but who either opt not to proceed with the Course leading to the (Master’s) Degree, or, having proceeded do not successfully complete the Course, shall be eligible for the award of the Postgraduate Diploma in Economics.

Can rule 8 of the Postgraduate/Master’s course in Gerontology and Geriatrics be modified so that we will not have “different cycles in the university structure” and thus will really enjoy equal opportunities?

Carmel Saliba