Yesterday has seen the first ever graduates in Maltese Studies from the University of Malta. Set up in 2005, the Institute of Maltese Studies inaugurated three-year postgraduate programmes in 2008, which have attracted a steady flow of students. At yesterday’s graduation ceremony in Valletta’s Jesuits Church, Professor Henry Frendo, Director of the Institute, presented nine graduates Masters and PhD degrees.

Dissertation topics addressed by these students give an indication of the interdisciplinary nature of the Institute’s mission and of the work accomplished. Subjects ranged from the public perception of għana in contemporary society (Ms Marced Zahra Sacco) to pop music from the 1950s (Noel D’Anastas), to secularism (Maria Pia Meli) and local aspects of trade unionism (Raymond Gerada) as well as such topics as Maltese fiction for adolescents (Maria Abela), legends as a reflection of Maltese identity (Daniela Mallia), military architecture as heritage (Alfred Cremona) and insects of commercial value in Maltese culture and tradition (Paul Portelli).

The PhD thesis (Mario Cassar) focused on Sicilian and Italian connections in Maltese surnames.

Meticulously avoiding the customary departmental pigeonholing in preference for interdisciplinary approaches, Maltese Studies subjects comprise research methodologies including museums and archives; Maltese culture and identity; language and ethnicity; agriculture, foodstuffs and cuisine; geography as lifestyle; and the Maltese natural environment. Other topics in Maltese Studies include migrant settlement, the dockyard, trade, industry, religion and society, creative, visual and performing arts.

A second batch of students is completing the taught courses before they start on their dissertations next year. Another postgraduate evening course in Maltese Studies will open in October 2012.

It is both useful and necessary for students to ask what the nature of a Maltese nationality and lifestyle is, especially in the context of a spreading globalisation and membership of the European Union. Prof. Frendo said that the tailor-made interdisciplinary approaches catered for by the Institute’s postgraduate degrees offered specialisations and potential employment opportunities in a wide variety of areas both locally and overseas.

■ Daniel Borg