Issue No: 4
GUG NEWSLETTER GOOD LUCK FOR YOUR EXAMS
THE FIRST EDITION OF THE GOZO WEEK WAS HELD ON CAMPUS FROM THE 27TH FEBUARY TO THE 2ND MARCH 2012
A WEEK OF GOZO
By RYAN MERCIECA
PRESIDENT
‘Gozo Week’
exhibition by Gozitan photographers
lecture also being held. This will be the
organised by
while another has traditional Gozitan
first official course on the subject of
the Gozo
produced food. Other stands portray
Gozo.
University
the Tourist Sector of Gozo, the culture
Group in
of Gozo, Mgarr Xini Regional Park and
collaboration
Eco-Gozo Projects.
with
the
Mniistry for Gozo and Eco-Gozo took place at the campus of the University of Malta for 5 days. There were various events and activities that took place during the week, as well as six stands portraying Gozo and the life of the Gozitans. One of the stands displays a photo
GUG said that it would like to thank all the sponsors without whom this event could not take place, particularly the Ministry for Gozo and Eco-Gozo for
Gozitan talent was also present
believing in this event, Gozo Culture,
throughout these days with various
Legend Real Estate, Gozo Tourism
artists performing on campus to
Association, Jubilee Foods, Xewkija
entertain the students.
Local Council and the Gozo Business
GUG’s aim is to promote Gozitan
Chamber.
Culture and society to highest levels
Also thanks to the hard working
and with that in mind a new subject has
executive and continuos support from
been included in the Degree Plus Field
our members.
‘Gozitan Studies.’ This was launched during ‘Gozo Week,’ when the first
GUG NEWSLETTER ISSUE NO:4
WORLD SCOUT JAMBOREE By SABRINA PORTELLI FINANCIAL OFFICER
40,061 scouts from 143 different countries last summer had the opportunity to be part of the 22nd edi<on of the World Scout Jamboree which was held in Rinkaby. This village in the south of Sweden was completely covered in tents for two weeks. Malta was also present amongst these countries, with the con<ngent consis<ng of 79 persons, 19 of which being Gozitan. One might ques<on, but why did these people decide to go there? Some reasons might be the sense of adventure, to try something different and fun, mee<ng tons of other people who have the same interests or geOng to know different cultures and religions. Various ac<vi<es were organised in which the par<cipants were encouraged to develop their skills and abili<es in self reliance, team work, coopera<on, planning and organisa<on.
their tradi<onal costumes, and cooked a meal that was par<cular to their country. But definitely the best part of the jamboree were the events that took place at night in the arena or in the food houses that some countries had. Maltese are known to be the life of the party and obviously when we heard that the Dutch were organising a party, we were amongst the first to enter and the last to leave! Also we could not miss the adults opening ceremony, in which we ended up dancing the night away to ABBA hits.
However, one cannot forget to men<on the closing ceremony that despite of the really bad weather, was the best night of those 2 weeks. A concert by the legendary band Europe took place in torren<al rain but this did not discourage all those present to have the <mes of their life singing out loud to Apart from these ac<vi<es, each country had their hits. The concert ended with a a tent in which it exhibited something spectacular firework show and an aZer party par<cular to that country. A cultural fes<val for all adults present at the campsite. day was also held in which everyone wore
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GUG NEWSLETTER ISSUE NO:4
FULL TIME JUDGE FOR THE GOZO LAW COURTS BY FRANCIENNE MUSCAT SOCIAL POLICY OFFICER
A motion to debate the Gozo Court of Magistrates was tabled on 31st May 2011 by the Member of Parliament Justyne Caruana. She complained about the way the courts operate in Gozo which needs to change. Additionally, she proposed a Hon. Justyne Caruana which was the experience they eventually go number of amendments in order backed by the Minister for Gozo to Malta. This also impinges on to decrease the number of Giovana Debono. She stressed the status of the Gozo law courts. limitations the present courts the need for amendments to the have Indeed these are limiting judicial system in the Gozo Court The former Justice Minister the procedures which can take of Magistrates. The present Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici told place there to the detriment of situation apart from being to the Parliament that he remained open Gozitans. The motion included detriment of Gozitans also goes to belief whether a full-time the proposal of appointing a against the dignity of the system judge should be appointed to sitting judge for the Gozo law which creates a distinction which Gozo. A Bill is already in hand to courts in order to give it the is not objectively justified.
allow lawsuits, including
status of a Superior Court, since
criminal cases, to be presented in
it already has jurisdiction. Given Another point made by the Malta or Gozo without the need that the court does not have a Member of Parliament Justyne of island-hopping. He said he had judge it cannot hear and decide Caruana is that in practise the nothing against allowing an cases of this kind.
presiding magistrates who are appeal to be heard before one appointed for the Gozo courts are judge instead of three if the
On 12th December 2011, the those which have been lastly parties so agree. motion was tabled once again by appointed, and when they acquire
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GUG NEWSLETTER ISSUE NO:4
Rights to man have been discussed for hundreds of years, from natural laws of the greek philosophers, the revolutionary era of the Reign of terror, being however given a huge priority following the genocidal cancer that took over the world during WWII, as a basis for our dignified survival.
due to violation of human rights in countries of origin.
By empowering youths, GUG is aiming at helping gozitan students realize their potential, not only within the academic field, but also within and through other life experiences. Since September, Countries were optimistic that following the we tackled many major issues, from environment, adoption of the UNHR at the UN general assembly to society, to infrastructure, and we have addressed in 1948, we could look forward to a new age of these issues at every level, representing and brotherhood and proliferation. safeguarding the rights of the future generation that is Gozo. History proved otherwise, as to this day we witness inhumane acts in many countries who have vowed Through such public events, and hours of to uphold these rights. unexposed office work, GUG upholds the rights gozitan students should have in the way of a The UNHR is not legally binding, and it this the human rights activist organization. duty of every person within every community to be aware of oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rights, and act willfully to secure Within the concept that is Gozo, people must, those of others. This is where NGOs are crucial before embracing, first acknowledge the existence, instruments in fighting this global and sometimes of their right to celebrate, what is intrinsically a individual war against the violation of what is distinct culture. We, as gozitans, must recognize manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s by birthright. the true and detached value that gozitan society withholds for the survival of the identity of our Issues with human rights are very tangible for the island as a region within modern Europe. informed European citizen, from nationality-based child discrimination in Bosnia-Herzegovina, to the Gozitan youths should be at the heart of reform, violation of the right for future generations to social integration, and modern culture, be it at their inherit a sustainable society, to the socio-economic hometown, at University, or even beyond maltese and to an extent even cultural issues we have with shores. immigration problems within our country , again
THE ROLE OF GOZITAN YOUTHS MICHAEL TABONE INTERNATIONAL OFFICER
GOZO
GUG NEWSLETTER ISSUE NO:4
WEEK
THANK YOU
GUG NEWSLETTER ISSUE NO:4
MICROBIAL FOOD CONTAMINATION EMMANUEL BORG GUG MEMBER
Microbes can be classified as Bacteria, viruses, parasites , yeasts and moulds. The major cause of food borne illness in our everyday life is that from bacteria.
What are bacteria? Bacteria are single-‐celled living organisims which can be found everywhere – soil, water, animals, people and food. They can be classified as Pathogenic, Spoilage and beneficial bacteria. Pathogenic bacteria cause disease in humans and do not affect the taste,smell or appearance of food whilst Spoilage bacteria affect the taste smell, texture and appearance of food. Beneficial bacteria nowadays help in many areas of the industry for example manufacture of cheese and yoghurt. These so called beneficial bacteria also help diges<on and vitamin synthesis in our body. Bacteria mul<ply by binary fission, one bacterium can mul<ply in less than 20 minutes in ideal condi<ons (37®c), therefore in 3 hours 30 minutes the total number of bacteria will be 1,048,576.
How do we prevent microbial growth? The major factors influencing the
growth of microorganisims in food
are: •
pH (<4.0)
•
Oxygen availability
•
Moisture (water ac<vity aw)
•
Nutrient availability
•
Temperature
•
Time
Temperature is the highest risk a temperature of above 63®c and
under 8®c, although a few such as Clostridium botulinium type E) c o n d i < o n s . T h e i d e a l proliferate is 37®c.
availability (aw below 0.6)
priority. Most of the microbes die at
they enter a dormant phase L i s t e r i a m o n o c y t o g e n e s o r can grow under refrigera<on temperature for bacteria to
GUG NEWSLETTER ISSUE NO:4
Recent Outbreak: A strain of Escherichia coli O104:H4 bacteria caused a foodborne illness outbreak in northern Germany from May till June 2011. The symptoms of this illness where bloody diarrhoea and Hemolytic-uremicsyndrome (HUS). The origin of the outbreak is thought to have been caused by an enterohemorrhagic (EHEC) strain of E. coli, but it was later shown that in fact it was caused by an enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) strain that had acquired the genes to produce shiga toxins. Fresh vegetables were the source of infection, a farm in Lower Saxony, Germany that produces a variety of sprouted foods was the likely source of the E. coli, outbreak. Therefore the source of the outbreak was not the cucumbers from Spain towards which fingers pointed first but the fenugreek seeds imported from Egypt in 2009-2010, from which sprouts were grown were the culprit.
VOLUNTEERING DAY AT ARKA JOIN US !!
ATTENTION STUDENTS!! For proofreading of your dissertation or long essay contact 79061851 or dmenglishteacher@gmail.com
ADVERTISE ON OUR WEBSITE WWW.GUG.ORG.MT Another scholastic year has come to an end. Books, apartments, jobs are the first things in the students’ mind who are looking forward to the next scholastic year. GUG offer a quality service where our Facebook page and website converge to form one portal which can react for the need of the students. Advertise with us your books, apartments or any school related stuff and you won’t be dissapionted. Email us on info@gug.org.mt or contact us on Facebook for more information or an enquiry. In the meanwhile check out our website and Facebook Page http://gug.org.mt/productCollections.aspx?Collections=ShowProductCategories h t t p s : / / w w w . f a c e b o o k . c o m / m e d i a / s e t / ? s e t = a . 185516038180579.47135.142744999124350&type=3
GUG NEWSLETTER ISSUE NO:4
WORK OPPORTUNITIES AND THE FUTURE FOR GOZITANS IN GOZO BY JOELENE ATTARD they do not want to, but because they know that in Malta there are better opportunities to cater for the future of their careers. Rather than accepting the situation as it is, something must be done to try and develop a better Gozo. If not all, at least some of them may have a ray of hope for a future in Gozo. Private investment projects in Gozo are very low when compared to Malta. It can be justiBied since it is much easier to open up A
s shop in Malta and avoid the time and cost to
time passes by, the number of students studying move a step further to Gozo. However, with niche at the University of Malta, Mcast, ITS and others is markets specialized in health care, tourism and increasing. The number of Gozitans who work or other services, the situation would be much study in Malta is well more than a thousand different. The potential that Gozo has in these persons. Although this is a positive sign because sectors are enormous and they need to be fully more people are studying and looking for better utilized. Human resources and intelligence is high opportunities, it has in itself instilled new amongst students and there are more than problems. It is a fact known to everyone that enough workers to make this happen. students who graduate rarely Bind a job in Gozo. More than ever students are continuing their studies in Malta and graduate in many sectors mainly in law, business, teaching, I.T. and sciences. As a result, a lot of Gozitans are opting to live and buy houses in Malta. This has brought about another problem for Gozo since the only people that live in it are in fact middle-‐aged and elderly persons. This being said, youths have a great deal of respect for their parents and relatives, but who is going to lead Gozo if not the young and enthusiastic?
If a plan of action is not developed very soon to mitigate this problem, youths will “migrate” to Malta and come back only at the end of the week to see family before going back to continue with their lives in Malta. This article is not being written to show Gozo’s limitations, it is simply a truth about the situation of every Gozitan student and worker who work in Malta. These are not issue that cannot be solved but to the contrary. The intelligence, strong will and independence of the Gozitan is what makes our island so capable and sustainable towards a better future. If more
Without any doubt, Gozo has not yet developed to work opportunities are created in Gozo, this is cater for the academic needs of students. Few beneBicial to all: families, youths, economy and students aspire to Bind a job in Gozo, not because our beloved island of Gozo.
GUG NEWSLETTER ISSUE NO:4
Linton Kwesi Johnson is a Jamaican dispora who evolved musically in London. He assisted to many riots and campagnes in disvavour of racism and social oppression with his poetry. He combined dub-‐reggea styles and Riddims when reci<ng his poetry; which undertakes poli<cal statements, most of them underlining the violence ethnic groups would suffer at the <me. Kwesi Johnson contributed to the “Black Panther” movement when he was s<ll studying at university. A unique style was quickly no<ced in Johnson’s poems, which sustain a Jamaican dialect. “Bass Culture” is an album to look over – watch out for hits such as “Street 66”, "Di Black Peoy Booshwah" and “Englan is a Bitch”
MUSIC PAGE
MARC SCHEMBRI
EVENTS OFFICER
Will be rockin’ at RockWerchter this Summer katzenjammer a new name on the streets of Norway. Anne Marit Bergheim, Marianne Sveen, Solveig Heilo and Turid Jørgensen are incredibly ferocious on stage. Keeping a bit of Norway’s folkloric past and transmu<ng it through today’s logic, each of these girls are very talented; able to play various instruments. You Get a taste by listening to “Land of Confusion” and “Bar in Amsterdam”.
ScoOsh Madness for you here – Hans Boufmyhre. Becoming the a new techno “Whoop whoop” ar<st. Hans started off his career in 2006 when he began to promote his own party in Glasgow called 'Sleaze' w h e r e h e b o o k e d a n d p l a y e d alongside some of the world’s best techno acts. At the start of 2007, Hans s t a r t e d l e a r n i n g a b o u t m u s i c produc<on and making his own tracks. He now boasts releases on many recognised labels including Perc Trax, V i v a M u s i c , S o m a , S y n e w a v e , Harthouse, 8 Sided Dice, Analy<ctrail aswell as recently star<ng his own
So far Hans' tracks have gained huge support &plays from some of the biggest names in Techno, including Richie Hawtin, Dubfire, Adam Beyer, Len Faki, Marco Carola, Steve Lawler, Laurent Garnier, Stephan Bodzin, Joris Voorn and many more! At only 24 years of age and with a list of releases as long as his arm, the future looks bright for Hans Bouffmyhre.
GUG NEWSLETTER ISSUE NO:4
MEETING WITH PROF. JOE FRIGGIERI
THE NEW PRO-RECTOR FOR THE GOZO CAMPUS
The Gozo University Group said that “as the only opportunity. The aim of this is to be able to organisation representing the Gozitan students, analyse all the logistical requirements for all the Type to enter after welcoming the news that the Gozotext Campus different courses. This option will then be offered
will have a Pro-Rector managed to have a cordail to all students from the next academic year. This meeting, with Prof. Friggieri.”
proposal was submitted in the beginning of this
In this meeting GUG gave an overview of the academic year and will be available for all Gozitan current situation of the Gozitan Students and students by the next academic year. discussed what solutions should be achieved. 2) From next October, Gozitan students will also “Prof. Friggieri was open to such proposals and have the option of submitting their assignments in insited on the importance of the continuous Gozo instead of having to go to Malta just to contact between GUG and the Gozo Campus.”
submit an assignment.
By the conclusion of this meeting GUG said that it 3) The same applies for books which are borrowed “managed to reach an agreement on the following from the University Library. Gozitan students do three vital points.”
not need to go to Malta to give back the borrowed
1) A pilot project for the option of sitting for exams books but they can leave them at the Gozo in Gozo will be held next June. Where a number of Campus. students from different courses will be have this
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MEETING WITH SOCIAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WITHIN THE HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT On Tuesday 22nd May, 2012 a mee<ng with the Social Affairs Commioee was held at the Maltese Parliament. Representa<ves from the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Gozo, Transport Malta, Gozo Channel, the University of Malta and the Msida Local Council together with the execu<ve of GUG were present for this mee<ng. This mee<ng took place to solve issues related to Gozitan students that were discovered during the survey that GUG carried out. Regarding the Arriva issue which has been long standing on GUG’s agenda, Mr. Delia on behalf of Transport Malta said that the company recognizes that the X1 <metable was not in sync with Gozo Channel schedule and that 60% of the trips from University to Cirkewwa are not sa<sfactory because they are at least 10 minutes late. However, as from the 27th May the <metables will be more tuned with the <metable of the ferry and departures are expected to leave 10 to 20 minutes aZer ferry arrival. GUG President, Ryan Mercieca, stressed on the importance of elimina<ng wai<ng <me as 10 minutes are essen<al to every student, worker and pa<ent of Mater Dei. The wai<ng <me should not be more than 5minutes. Regarding the issue of student <ckets, at the moment there exists the Student Saver Card however a student cannot buy a <cket for one day with this card. The student can either buy a 30 day <cket or a 90 day <cket. These <ckets can be used for travelling both in Malta and in Gozo. However, one day <ckets bought in Malta cannot be used in Gozo. The discussion con<nued with Mr. Paul Curmi, the new Chairman of Gozo Channel. He explained how a daily commuter card has been in existence since 2006, but GUG stressed that this is only for persons with cars and that the online booking system has been on the agenda for a long <me but is currently on hold. The priority boarding for Gozitans is another issue that GUG proposed. The catamaran fast service was also proposed by GUG to be once again ini<ated. It is a fact that it had to be stopped years ago, however, with proper research and implementa<on, this is believed to be very beneficial for all Gozitans travelling very oZen to Malta. Also GUG proposed a student far that applies to all Gozitan and Maltese students. Mr. Friggieri, the Pro-‐Rector of the University Gozo Campus discussed the issue of exams in Gozo, with GUG, which he fully supports and said that the interest of the students should be kept first and foremost and that the pilot study consis<ng of 88 students siOng for 71 exams was conducted to evaluate necessary implica<ons. He emphasized the fact that these students were not by any means singled out but there had to be a small number of students to begin with. GUG gathered the names of those students who wish to sit for their exams next June in Gozo and the number un<l the mee<ng, was of 206 students. Two new courses will be offered at the Gozo Campus from the next scholas<c year. This will be the Postgraduate Diploma in Educa<onal Leadership, which is followed by teachers, and the Diploma in Gozitan Studies which will be part sponsored by the Ministry for Gozo. The vice-‐mayor of Msida Local Council, Ms. Baldacchino Cefai opened the doors for GUG to be in direct contact with the council to report problems and put them forward to the authori<es concerned. GUG men<oned the importance of the cleaning of the sub-‐way and skate park of Msida and to have the crossing through Birkirkara By-‐pass more secure for students. GUG also discussed with Mr. Cuschieri from the Finance Ministry and emphasized the need that students should not be abused when paying for rentals and any such instances should be reported instantly. On a final note, we would like to thank, the Social Affairs Commioee and the en<<es present during this mee<ng. GUG will be following up the issues discussed to ensure that the required ac<ons are done.