Annual Departmental Reports 2009/10. Faculty for the Built Environment

Transcription

1 Annual Departmental Reports 2009/10 Faculty for the Built Environment The Faculty for the Built Environment is currently composed of three Departments, the Department of Architecture and Urban Design, the Department of Building and Civil Engineering, and the Department of the Built Heritage. This document is a compilation of reports submitted by the Heads of the three Departments, outlining the activities of the relative Department for the outgoing year, and including a comprehensive list of publications of all members of the Department, a synopsis of projects involving members of the Department, which are wholly or partially externally funded, a list of conferences/seminars/meetings attended abroad by members of the Department during term time, and an outline of Department s collaboration with third parties.

2 Department of Architecture and Urban Design 1. Staff During the academic year 2009/10, the Department staff consisted of the head, Prof. Denis De Lucca and six (6) full-time members of staff. In addition the Department has been served by six (6) part-time members of staff at TR4 level and twelve (12) visiting lecturers. The Executive Officer in charge of administration was Mr Jonathan Apap. 2. Teaching Activities The Department was responsible for teaching design-related disciplines and giving timetabled lectures to 75 first year students, 73 second year students, 66 third year students, 26 fourth year (Architecture and Urban Design Streams) students, and 31 fifth year (Architecture and Urban Design Streams) students, in the course of studies leading to the degree of Bachelor of Engineering and Architecture. In connexion with the present three-tier Faculty curriculum restructuring exercise, the Department is presently preparing two-year masters courses in architecture and urban design, and exploring the possibility of offering a two-year masters course in the fine arts. 3. Research Activity The following staff members have been engaged in the respective research projects: Prof. Denis De Lucca [Head of Department] See report of International Institute for Baroque Studies Dr Paul Gauci Coordination of planning aspects of the Valletta Masterplan i/c/w the Director of the International Institute for Baroque Studies Evaluation of the Environmental impact of the Natural Flood Relief project. Improving the Quality of Suburban Building Stock for COST Action TUO701 (EU).

3 Dr Vincent Buhagiar: Environmental monitoring of microclimate and energy auditing at B Kara Tal-Ftieh Housing Project Hygro-thermal properties of globigerina limestone and concrete blockwork Assessment of thermal conductivity of conventional flat roofs and ventilated horizontal cavity roofs in Malta Submitted application for research bid with the Politecnico di Milano, University of Munich [FP7 7 th Framework Programme] Potential for Ground Cooling in Malta Vernacular Architecture bioclimatic trends and influences Research i/c/w Cost Actions C25, TU0701, TU0803 Conclusion of Cost Action C23 Ongoing research i/c/w Cardiff University on lighting and thermal environment aspects in the urban fabric of Valletta Mr. Antonio Mollicone [F/T Assistant Lecturer]: Research i/c/w Dottorato di Ricerca thesis on The effects of the renewal of Descriptive Geometry on Tutoring : A Case Study on Chiaroscuro or Rendering (in connection with La Sapienza University in Rome). Dr Ruth Bianco: Ongoing research: Landings a developing project on migration (Brussels 2011) Ongoing research: Tidal Dialogues Ongoing research: Drawing from Movies Dr Joseph H. Spiteri: Work in progress i/c/w Professor Steven Male of the University of Leeds on: A new order framework for construction professionals and contractors the emerging professionalization of contracting firms

4 Emergency Management and persons with disabilities Dr Edwin Mintoff: Research activity i/c/w a series of papers to be published in Architecture Mediterranee including two on the Connexions Project and the Casino di Venezia the restoration and rehabilitation of the Palace of the Captain General of the Galleys in Vittoriosa. As from 2009 engaged in Tempus project on urban design i/c/w Universite Marine La Valle in France focused on Morocco and Tunisia. Mr Anton Grech: Research i/c/w SPACES a visual arts project for the Malta Arts Festival (Malta July 2010) and PEACEMAKERS AND THE QIN EMPEROR S WARRIORS an international project in conjunction with the Shaanxi Museum of Art in China with the participation of 27 chosen artists from EU member states (in progress) Mr Antoine Zammit [TR4 Assistant Lecturer] Research i/c/w Ph.D thesis on Addressing and Delivering High-quality Design in the Architecture and Public Realm of the Maltese Built Environment through a Revised Planning System Arch. Lino Bianco [F/T Assistant Lecturer] Research i/c/w PhD thesis: Architecture and Politics Arch. Irina Miodragovic [TR4 Assistant Lecturer] Research on the history and theory of stereotomy and current digital aspects in the fabrication of masonry assemblies i/c/w PhD thesis entitled Constraint Based Design of Masonry Assemblies, employing properties of materials and constraints of locally-

5 available technology as parameters of digitally driven architectural design and construction of non-traditional masonry assemblies 4. Publications Prof. Denis De Lucca See annual report of the International Institute for Baroque Studies. Also Faccati Antiki ta Bini f Hal Kirkop in Hal Kirkop u l-inhawi tal-madwar (ed. HCR Vella), Malta, Dr Paul Gauci Co-author of the Eco-Gozo Vision document.(2009) Preparation of Paper on Improving the Quality of Suburban Building Stock for Cost Action TUo701 Publication. Arch. Lino Bianco Valletta: A city in history. Melita Theologica, Vol. 60, No. 2(2009), pp ISSN Co-edited with K. Aquilina, Mediterranean Journal of Human Rights. Special Edition: Human Rights and the Environment in the Mediterranean Region, Vol. 14, No.1, ISSN ; Prefabrication, Aesthetics and the Welfare State: The case for the post-war British public schools (Peer reviewed; accepted, to be published by end of year 2010); and Roman Architectural Practice and the Funding of Public Buildings (Peer reviewed; accepted, to be published by end of year 2010). Dr Ruth Bianco Exhibition publication: Drawing from Movies (Malta Week, Brussels) October 2010 Exhibition publication: Speed journeys, Tunnel vision (Spaces in Between, Berlin) August 2010 Exhibition publication: Dirty Painting and Soho Blue (Malta Arts Festival, Valletta) July 2010

6 Exhibition publication: After 800 metres take the motorway ( Shelter, Vienna) June 2010 Exhibition Publication: Dirty Painting and Other Works (Le Boutique Soho, Brussels) March 2010 Exhibition publication: Maryan and Rahma (Projected Vision II, Strasbourg) March 2010 Exhibition publication: Soho ( Remont Gallery, Belgrade) July 2009 Exhibition publication: The world next door ( MCA, Malta) June 2009 Exhibition publication: Dead famous (Square no.68, Valletta) April 2009 Exhibition publication: Selection of Works Maltese Connection (Citric Gallery, Brussels) March 2009 SPACES and PROJECTED VISION II Exhibition Catalogues 5. Conferences Prof Denis De Lucca Presented a paper at an International Conference held in Noto, Sicily, for which see the report of the International Institute for Baroque Studies. Dr Vincent Buhagiar Contribution on Sustainability issues at public seminar on Cittadella Master Plan [October 2009] Paper on The Potential for Ground Cooling in Malta a case study approach presented at CSAAR conference in Amman, Jordan. [July 2010] Attended three (3) COST ACTION workshops in Ferrara Munich Valletta (COST 0701); Dessau (COST TU0803) and Izmir (COST C250) [January May 2010] Attended PASSIV HAUS Conference [March 2010]

7 ERASMUS lecturing exchange with Cardiff university [April 2010] and Politecnico di Milano [September 2010] Dr Edwin Mintoff attended nine (9) conferences/workshops held in Malta Mr. Antonio Mollicone [F/T Assistant Lecturer]: Attendance at Disegnare il tempo e l armonia International Conference in Florence (October 2009) Attendance at La Geometria Descrittiva ed uil suo rinnovamento seminar at La Sapienza University in Rome. (December 2009) Prof. Denis De Lucca Head of Department

8 Department of Building and Civil Engineering Staff Members: The Department of Building and Civil Engineering currently has the following Resident members of staff: Prof.Dr.Alex Torpiano (Head of Department) Perit J.Falzon Senior Lecturer Perit F.Montesin Senior Lecturer Prof. Dr.D.Buhagiar Senior Lecturer Dr.M.Bonello (Senior Lecturer TR5) Perit R.Borg (Assistant Lecturer ) Perit D.Xuereb (Assistant Lecturer TR4) Perit J.Valentino (Assistant Lecturer TR4) Perit C.Barbara (Assistant Lecturer TR4) Perit A.Mifsud (Assistant Lecturer TR4) Perit Kevin Gatt (Lecturer T9) Dr.Josette Camilleri (Lecturer TR6) A number of Visiting members of staff were also appointed to work with the Department, including Perit Jacques Borg Barthet, Mr.A.Darmenia, Perit Odette Lewis, Ing. Alan Abela, Perit C.Cacopardo. In addition to being the Head of Department, over the period of the Report, Prof A.Torpiano was appointed as Dean of the Faculty, Member of the Senate of the University of Malta, Member of the Council of the University of Malta, Chairman of the International Institute of Baroque Studies, Member of the Board of the Institute of Sustainable Energy, and Member of the Board of the Institute of Sustainable Development. Perit Ruben Borg, (Sustainable Construction) and Perit Odette Lewis, (Transport Engineering), Perit A.Mifsud, (Soil Mechanics), and Perit K.Gatt, (Water Governance), are currently reading for a PhD degree. Teaching Activities The main teaching activities of the Department are focussed on the five-year programme leading to the degree of Bachelor of Engineering and Architecture. In the undergraduate degree course, the Department is responsible for two-thirds of the taught study-units over the first three years, involving just over 200 students. The Department, subsequently, takes full responsibility for one of the Elective Blocks of

9 study, followed over the last two years, catering for approximately 26/28 students per year. In addition, Prof.A.Torpiano also acted as Masters Thesis supervisor for two students following the degree leading to the Masters in Conservation Technology of Masonry Buildings, previously offered by the Institute for Masonry and Construction Research. The External Examiner for the final year of the B.E.&A degree course (Engineering Stream) was Prof. David Nethercot, Imperial College London. Departmental Collaboration, and Projects, with Third Parties. The Department of Building and Civil Engineering was represented in the Building Industry Consultative Council, (BICC) by Prof.Dr.D.Buhagiar, and by Perit F.Montesin. Furthermore, members of staff in the Department were again the main protagonists in a Committee, (National Eurocodes Implementation Committee), set up by the Malta Standards Authority and the BICC, to draft the National Annexes necessary for the introduction of Eurocodes in Malta, in The members of staff who are directly involved include Prof.Dr.Alex Torpiano, Prof.Dr.D.Buhagiar, Dr.Marc Bonello, Perit John Valentino, Perit Adrian Mifsud, Perit Ruben Borg, and Perit David Xuereb, which membership constitutes around three quarters of the committee. Prof.A.Torpiano has maintained strong relations with the Kamra Tal-Periti, as the local organisation that represents the profession, particularly in discussions related to the Faculty Development Plan. Consensus was achieved on the need for the re-structuring proposed, and for the direction the Faculty was taking. The Kamra tal-periti again organised a seminar of Professional Ethics for final year students following the studies leading to the B.E.&A. Degree. The link with the Kamra is further strengthened by the election of Perit Ruben Borg to the Council of the Kamra. Prof.A.Torpiano was re-appointed by the Minister of Resources and Rural Affairs on the Periti Warranting Board, the Board that not only oversees the academic and professional training of Maltese aspiring professionals, but which, with the new EU Services and Professional Qualifications Directives, is also assessing qualifications of EU Nationals desiring to establish themselves, or otherwise offer their professional services, in Malta. The issue of water resources is considered to be an important area of research. Perit Kevin Gatt has led the collaboration with the Malta Business Bureau, together with the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry, and the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association, in an application for funding for an EU LIFE+ Project entitled Achieving Water Sustainability by Industry in Malta. Other contacts were made with the

10 Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs, and with the Malta Resources Authority. Perit Kevin Gatt is also participating in a NATO Project on Water Resources. Perit Ruben Borg worked for the setting up of an Agreement with the Department of Architecture of the University of Ferrara, Italy, with a proposed collaboration on the theme of Sustainability of Buildings and Building Vulnerability. Perit Borg also spearheaded the collaboration with COST Action C25, Sustainability of Constructions: An Integrated Approach to Life-time Structural Engineering. As a result of this collaboration, an International Symposium on Sustainable Construction: A Life-Cycle Approach in Structural Engineering was held between the 23 rd and 25 th July 2010, followed by an International Post-graduate Training School, between the 26 th July and the 1 st August Research Activities and Publications The Department s interest in waste materials and re-cycling continued in ongoing work by Prof.Dr.D. Buhagiar and Perit Franco Montesin on technologies for producing recycled stone, and by Dr.Josette Camilleri on waste materials in cement replacement. An application for funding for research on Heavy Oil Fuel Ash, with a view of its re-utilization in construction activity, was submitted in collaboration with EneMalta, the Department of Chemistry, and with a private firm. This interest is also reflected in a number of undergraduate research projects (dissertations) addressing related themes. Conferences and Seminars Prof.A.Torpiano: Invited Speaker The Engineering of Malta s Prehistoric Megalithic Temples, Seminar on Mystery in the Mediterranean, in conjunction with the Malta Embassy in the United States of America, and the University of Miami, Miami Florida, USA, March Invited Lecturer International Summer School in Conservation of Historical, Monumental and Archaeological Sites, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering. Recent Restoration and Conservation Works in Malta: Fort Manoel, Fort Tigne, Garden Battery. Structural Problems in Archaeological Sites. The Prehistoric Megalithic Temples in Malta, 27 th July 2010 Invited Lecturer Building Malta s Prehistoric Megalithic Temples, Summer Training School: Sustainability in Engineering: A Life Cycle Approach in Structural Engineering, Malta, July/August 2010

11 Perit Kevin Gatt: Invited by the European Commission, in the capacity of expert, to a Final Expert Workshop to discuss and comment the findings of a study conducted by the consortium consisting in TNO, SEOR and ZSI of Electricity, Gas, Water & Waste, on behalf of the Directorate General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities of the European Commission. The study concerned the elaboration of scenarios of future evolution of the Electricity, Gas, Water & Waste sector until 2020, and the implication on employment in existing occupations and on new skills needed for jobs in the sector. This study is part of a large project entitled "Comprehensive Sectoral Analysis of Emerging Competences and Economic Activities in the European Union" which entails 15 other studies covering a large share of the economy. Publications: A. Torpiano (in print) (co-author with M. Galea, R. Grima, K. Stroud and J. Cassar) Shelters over the Megalithic Temples of Malta: debate, design and implementation. Environmental Earth Sciences (Special Issue), Springer-Verlag. Prof.A.Torpiano Head of Department Department of Building and Civil Engineering

12 Department of the Built Heritage 1. Introduction The remit of the Department of the Built Heritage is to focus on the problems of the existing urban and heritage fabric. The mission statement of the Department is to To provide internationally recognized university education in all that concerns the Built Heritage, whilst also promoting local consciousness of its conservation at all levels. This will be achieved by undergraduate and postgraduate University courses and research, outreach programmes, and providing CPD for architects and other professionals involved in the conservation of the Built Heritage, including buildings, archaeological sites and historic landscapes. All efforts will be made to collaborate with organisations, institutions and individuals, both locally and abroad, to achieve awareness and excellence in teaching and research. The staff members of the Department are: Prof. JoAnn Cassar (Head), Perit Shirley Cefai (Assistant Lecturer) and Perit Claude Busuttil (TR4). Both are currently reading for a PhD. Also forming part of the Department is Ms Roberta De Angelis, Project Assistant on an EU Project ELAICH. She is on a full time 3- year definite contract. Currently the main activity of the Department is the biennial taught MSc on Conservation Technology for Masonry Buildings. This course is co-ordinated by Prof JoAnn Cassar. All members of the Department teach on this course, as well as other staff both from the University of Malta and other Institutions (see Department s collaboration with third parties below). During academic year , 5 students (graduates from the BE&A course) followed the taught part of the course. Following the publication of the results of the assignments related to the taught study units, all 5 students were found to be eligible to move on to the third semester, when they will be researching and writing their dissertations. The titles of dissertation chosen (all due to start in the semester starting October 2010) and the supervisors are listed in Annex 1. There are also 6 students from previous years currently working on their Masters dissertation (also listed in Annex 1). The Department also has one MPhil and three PhD students (also listed). 2. Projects externally funded 2.1 ELAICH - Educational Linkage Approach in Cultural Heritage The ELAICH Project is a EU-funded EuroMed Heritage IV project in which the Department of the Built Heritage shares the role of partner with four foreign institutions, namely Technion Institute of Technology (Israel) the Project Coordinator, University of Antwerp (Belgium), National Technical University of

13 Athens (Greece) and Ca Foscari University of Venice (Italy). The project officially started in February 2009 and will end in January The objective of the ELAICH project is to increase awareness of the importance of Cultural Heritage and its conservation by particular target groups, such as youth, with a focus on built heritage. This objective will be reached through a course, implemented in situ at a specific site (e.g. a monument or an archaeological site). The ELAICH courses will take place in several countries (i.e. partner countries, Egypt, Turkey and Jordan), including Malta, where the course is scheduled for During the academic year , various activities were held: a partner meeting in Antwerp (Belgium) from the 25 th to the 27 th October 2009; an Experimental ELAICH course in Athens from November 2009 to February 2010 wherein on the 12 th January 2010 Prof. Cassar travelled to Athens where she lectured young (15-17 year old) students from 3 different Athens High Schools; an ELAICH Dissemination Event and partner meeting in Athens from the 22 nd to the 24 th February 2010 in which Prof. Cassar and Ms De Angelis participated the Dissemination Event was organised in collaboration with the Technical Chamber of Greece. On the th February 2010, Ms De Angelis represented the project partners at the RMSU: Regional Conference Civil Society and Cultural Heritage in the Mediterranean, where she presented the ELAICH project to other EuroMed Heritage project partners; on the 11 th -12 th July 2010 Ms De Angelis participated in another partner meeting in Venice, Italy. In the partner meetings the Department of the Built Heritage played an active role, by preparing and delivering presentations. Prof. Cassar also addressed the delegates attending the Dissemination Event in Athens. Besides these events, regular Skype calls were held with the Project Coordinator (Technion, Israel) to provide or receive feedback on specific project tasks. The general work plan of the Project is based on a sequence of activities leading to the implementation of the course, and to the creation of a toolkit and distance learning application. Activity 2, which started in September 2009, sees the University of Malta (the Department of the Built Heritage) as activity leader. In this role the Department is coordinating the work of the other partners, organising the tasks planned within Activity 2, and finalising the expected deliverables (course content and manual). Besides the role of activity leader of Activity 2, the Department of the Built Heritage has also the coordination of the Domain Conservation Processes within the ELAICH course. Besides participating in ELAICH meetings and activities, much of work undertaken in connection with ELAICH during the period February September 2010 was taken up with preparations for two courses: participation in the course to be held in October - December 2010 in Haifa, Israel (where Malta will be leading and teaching on the Domain Conservation Processes ), and the organisation of the Malta course in collaboration with the Junior College to be held in On 26 November 2009, Prof. Cassar and Ms De Angelis were interviewed on Campus FM by Ms Patricia Camilleri on the programme Research Matters wherein information on the ELAICH project was given and the project discussed

14 at length Erasmus agreements The Department of the Built Heritage operates several active Erasmus agreements with European Universities. These agreements financially support the travel to Malta of various foreign lecturers who participate on the MSc course on Conservation Technology for Masonry Buildings. This is expanded on below under the sub-title of Department s Collaboration with Third Parties. The Erasmus programme also supports the travel of the Department s staff members to teach in partner institutions. It is being hoped that European funding, currently suspended, will be resumed as soon as possible or at least in time for the next academic year. 2.3 Projects with Din L-Art Ħelwa The Department of the Built Heritage in 2009 commenced a programme of collaboration with Din L-Art Ħelwa, providing technical consultancy and technical back-up to this NGO with a small remuneration to the Department. This is expanded on below under the sub-title of Department s Collaboration with Third Parties. 3. Conservation-Restoration courses within the Department of the Built Heritage 3.1 Moving of conservation courses from Heritage Malta to the University of Malta (Department of the Built Heritage) The University of Malta and Heritage Malta had for several years been collaborating to offer a Bachelor degree course in Conservation, as well as two Masters courses. In June 2010, a transition Agreement was signed between these two institutions, where it was agreed that, from the next academic year, tertiary conservation education would be offered exclusively by the University of Malta, and Heritage Malta agreed to continue to support currently enrolled students until they complete their courses. As from 1 October 2010, students on the Bachelor in Conservation and Restoration Studies (Hons) course have been registered with the University's Faculty for the Built Environment (Department of the Built Heritage). There will be no further intake at Bachelors level. In preparation for this transfer, the Department of the Built Heritage asked ENCoRE (the European Network for Conservation-Restoration Education) to transfer membership of the organisation from Heritage Malta to the Department of the Built Heritage (see also Section 4.6 below). 3.2 Planning for new Masters courses in conservation-restoration The University of Malta has decided that over the next two years the Faculty for the Built Environment will work on developing Master courses in conservation to be offered as from October These courses will be open to graduates holding Bachelor degrees in relevant subjects, such as archaeology, history of art, science, architecture, engineering and conservation. As a first step, the Department of the Built Heritage presented to APQRU/PVC a Stage 1 proposal

15 for a new MSc course on the Conservation of Decorative Architectural Surfaces. 4. Conferences/seminars/meetings abroad 4.1 The meetings abroad undertaken as part of the ELAICH project are mentioned under the subtitle Projects (Section 2.1) above. 4.2 In March 2010, Prof. Cassar attended a meeting of the Editorial Board (where she is an Associate Editor) of the Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology at the offices of the Geological Society of London, Burlington House, London, UK During the March visit to London, Prof. Cassar was also able to meet Ms Sharon Cather, Reader and Coordinator of the MA in Conservation of Wall Paintings at the Courtauld Institute of Art (UK), where, together with Ms Roberta De Angelis from the Department of the Built Environment they were able to discuss the possibility of Ms De Angelis registering for a PhD at the Institute, under the supervision of Ms Cather and the co-supervision of Prof. J. Cassar. 4.4 In April 2010, Prof. Cassar visited the Artesis University College, Antwerp, Belgium, where she gave a series of lectures to undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as staff members, at the conservation school. 4.5 In May 2010, Ms De Angelis attended an international conference entitled New insights into the cleaning of paintings (Cleaning 2010) at the Universidad Politecnica de Valencia (Spain). This was a particularly important event in the conservation calendar as the speakers were amongst the most renowned in the art conservation world. 4.6 In June 2010 Perit Shirley Cefai attended a conference entitled Conservation Philosophies: Global or Local organised by the University of York and ICOMOS UK, in York, UK, which was especially useful background for her current PhD research. 4.7 In June 2010, Prof. Cassar visited the UCL Centre for Sustainable Heritage, where she delivered a series of lectures to postgraduate students following an MSc in Sustainable Heritage. This visit took place through an Erasmus exchange. 4.8 In July 2010 Perit Claude Busuttil attended a workshop on Suspended spaces: city harbours in the Mediterranean islands the case of Malta in Senglea, Malta. The workshop was organised by Fondazzjoni Temi Zammit and the Mediterranean Institute. 4.9 In September 2010 Ms De Angelis attended a one-week course entitled Pigments and the polarised microscope in Somerset (UK). The course was organised by the International Academic Projects, London (UK). During the

16 sessions the instructor (Mr P. Mactaggart) explained the basics of microscopy and how a wide range of pigments taken from paint layers can be identified using a polarised light microscope In September 2010 Prof Cassar was invited to attend a meeting of experts on the NET-Heritage European project, in London, UK During September 2010 Prof. JoAnn Cassar attended the 8 th General Assembly of ENCoRE, held in Vienna, Austria. This meeting was attended by representatives from several European institutions offering Conservation- Restoration education, as well as representatives from E.C.C.O. (European Confederation of Conservator-Restorers). Here, the request by Malta to transfer membership to the Department of the Built Heritage was accepted Perit Shirley Cefai is currently carrying out research on her MPhil/PhD for which she is registered at the University of York (UK). In March 2010 Perit Cefai was at the University of York for her Thesis Advisory Panel (TAP) evaluation where she was given feedback on her research to date. The Panel commented positively on her work and gave suggestions as to how she should continue directing her research. Perit Cefai is to work towards her October 2010 TAP which is to be her upgrade as long as the necessary material is submitted and is of the necessary academic level Perit Claude Busuttil registered for his PhD with the University of Sorbonne - Paris IV (France) in October He was in Paris between the 6 th and the 9 th of October to discuss the research project with his Prof. Michele Virol of the Department of Modern and Contemporary History. The University of Malta has also approved his MPhil registration (to be eventually upgraded in March 2010) backdated to October In July he was awarded a University of Malta scholarship for financial assistance to carry out his research in France. During 2010 he has had a number of meetings with his local co-tutor Dr Stephen Spiteri. 5. Department s collaboration with third parties. The Department of the Built Heritage has a number of ongoing collaborations with third parties, both in the University of Malta and outside, in part inherited from the activities of the Institute for Masonry and Construction Research, and in part developed over the past two years since the department was set up. These include: 5.1 With various UoM Departments: Department of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering (DMME), Faculty of Engineering Research projects in relation to stone, which took place during include: Erosion of Limestone by a 4 th year Mechanical Engineering student - estimated the degree of erosion caused by physical cleaning

17 Thermal imaging of building materials by an Austrian Erasmus undergraduate student - studied the detection of moisture in a non-destructive way. These themes will be the subjects of two other dissertations which will be carried out by two undergraduate students during the academic year , again under the supervision of Dr John Betts of the DMME. There is another ongoing collaboration with Dr John Betts, who regularly teaches on the MSc on Conservation Technology for Masonry Buildings. Dr Betts is also helping Prof. Cassar on the co-ordination of the MSc course and sits on the Board of Studies of the MSc course. The Department has approached the Head of Department of DMME to seek further collaboration at Masters level, in particular in the new MSc on Conservation of Decorative Architectural Surfaces; the response was very positive, and DMME will be collaborating in teaching on this course (currently under PVC review) Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science Discussions with the Head of Department, Dr Emanuel Sinagra, to establish dissertation topics related to conservation for undergraduate and postgraduate students has led to the first undergraduate dissertation (to be undertaken in ) on cleaning limestone from copper-based stains. Dr Sinagra also regularly teaches on the MSc on Conservation Technology for Masonry Buildings Department of Physics, Faculty of Science Dr Godwin Debono, has been requested to co-supervise one MSc (Conservation Technology for Masonry Buildings) dissertation entitled The physical and mechanical properties of Lower Coralline Limestone used in masonry buildings and structures. Dr Debono will also be supervising a student of Physics carrying out his final year dissertation on remote sensing with an archaeological/conservation bias, in collaboration with the Department of the Built Heritage, and Heritage Malta Department of Biology, Faculty of Science Dr Joseph Buhagiar regularly teaches on the MSc on Conservation Technology for Masonry Buildings Department of Classics and Archaeology, Faculty of Arts Prof. JoAnn Cassar regularly delivers a course on Principles of Archaeological Conservation (ARC 2016) to undergraduate students reading Archaeology; the course this year took place in the first semester of

18 Dr Nicholas Vella regularly teaches on the MSc on Conservation Technology for Masonry Buildings. Prof. JoAnn Cassar and Ms Roberta De Angelis are collaborating with the Department of Classics and Archaeology on the conservation of the Zejtun Roman Villa archaeological site, which is currently being excavated by the Department of Classics and Archaeology. Funds are being provided by the local NGO Din l-art Ħelwa (see also under Collaboration with Third Parties below) for a part of the conservation works. This includes the sponsorship of a number of 2 nd and 3 rd year students of Architecture who, during September 2010 and under the supervision of Prof A Torpiano, worked to design a temporary shelter for decorated walls and floors of the site, which shelter will also be sponsored by Din l-art Ħelwa. The documentation of the decorated part of the site, and its emergency conservation, are to be undertaken by 2 nd year conservation students, who now fall under the department of the Built Heritage. The students will be supervised by conservators from Heritage Malta Conservation Division and Ms De Angelis from the Department of the Built Heritage Department of Geography, Mediterranean Institute An undergraduate student who carried out an experimental dissertation involving monitoring of wind currents under the newly erected Ħaġar Qim shelter during academic year was aided by the Department of the Built Heritage. 5.2 Argotti Gardens The Department is collaborating with the Curator of the Gardens, Dr Joseph Buhagiar, in order to draw up a method statement and costs, and seek funding, for the historic but badly deteriorated Nymphaeum located in the Gardens. 5.3 Junior College In connection with the ELAICH Project, the Department of the Built Heritage has established close collaboration with the Junior College (JC). Meetings with the coordinator and staff who teach Systems of Knowledge (SoK) were held over the past months to explain how the participation of JC students in the ELAICH Malta course can form part of their Systems of Knowledge Project. This has now led to the definition of practicalities; the teachers will be approaching students who may be interested in participating in the course - the recruitment of the students will take place in October-December External to UoM - local Heritage Malta During academic year , Prof. JoAnn Cassar was again Chairperson of the Boards of Studies of the Bachelor of Conservation B.Cons. (Hons.) and the Master of Applied Conservation Studies M.Cons., appointed by the Senate of the University of Malta. Both Boards, until 2009, were set up jointly between the University of Malta and Heritage Malta. In November 2009 the B.Cons. Board of Studies was reconstituted by the Rector, on behalf of Senate, to include solely former members of the Board who form part of the academic staff of the

19 University of Malta, as well as Ms Antonia Sammut representing Heritage Malta, and the students representatives. The M.Cons. Board of Studies continued to function without change until the last student had presented her dissertation and had sat for her viva voce examination. During the last academic year Prof. Cassar also chaired three Boards of Examiners, and the Final Classification Boards, for M.Cons. students and one Board of Examiners and a Final Classification Board for one B.Cons. student. Other information is given above under Section 3. During the Academic year Ms Roberta De Angelis supervised a B.Cons. degree final year dissertation entitled The Wall Paintings at the Entrance Hall of Verdala Palace, Buskett: Original Technique and Condition Assessment (Student: Sarah Gafà). Ms De Angelis also examined the dissertation and attended the viva voce examination. On the 20 th October 2009, Ms Roberta De Angelis was invited to deliver a onehour lecture to the 2 nd year students in Conservation Studies (B.Cons. (Hons)) at Bighi. The lecture entitled Giuseppe Calì -The dome painting of the Chapel of the Crucifix, Parish church of Cospicua was part of the study unit Manufacturing techniques of wall paintings (CRS2103). From December 2009 to May 2010 Ms De Angelis also delivered 16 hours of lectures as part of the study unit CRS2106 Methodology and Science of Conservation Techniques of Wall Paintings and Architectural Surface on cleaning, consolidation and re-adhesion of wall paintings (2 nd year and 3 rd year students of the B.Cons (Hons) course). She also participated to the assessment of the students consisting of a written essay and an examination. Perit Shirley Cefai lectured regularly during the first semester of on the B.Cons. course. The study units included the first year study unit CRS1014 Conservation and Restoration History, the second year CRS2000 Conservation and Restoration Theory I and the third year CRS3000 Conservation and Restoration Theory II. This also involved the assessment of these study units, which included a presentation of a critique of a case study. This involvement in teaching will also continue during the academic year Perit Cefai also regularly delivered lectures to postgraduate students following the MA course in Cultural Heritage Management, run by ICMCH. She lectured on Development of Conservation Din L-Art Ħelwa (DLH) In October 2009, Din L-Art Ħelwa approached the Department of the Built Heritage to ask for assistance in its conservation programmes. An agreement was reached wherein the Department is now advising DLH on a consultancy basis, principally to ensure that technical reports received can be properly vetted, that conservation work is carried out properly and in accordance with method statements received and general advice and strategy. This includes primarily the wall paintings at the Churches of Ħal Millieri and Bir Miftuħ, and in the future Victory Church, and will also include some advice on buildings they hold in trust. During the past year, the Department of the Built Heritage has carried out regular environmental monitoring at the Church of Bir Miftuħ and has been involved in several meetings with the conservator Sig. Giuseppe Mantella, and Ms Maria

20 Grazia Cassar from DLH regarding the scientific investigations, and the conservation, of the frescoes inside the Church. In connection with the collaboration taking place with the Department of Classics and Archaeology on the conservation of the Zejtun Villa archaeological site, Prof. Cassar and Dr Nicholas Vella from Department of Classics and Archaeology on 1 st September 2010 gave a presentation to Board members of DLH to ask for financial support for the conservation of the site. The outcome of this meeting was positive (see also Section above). In August 2010 the Department was again approached by DLH and its services were requested to draw up condition surveys and method statements for the conservation and restoration of three buildings situated in Majjistral Park, Għajn Tuffieħa. These are to take place with the help of 4 th year students in the Faculty for the Built Environment under the supervision of members of the Department of the Built Heritage, and a 5 th year from the same Faculty student doing her dissertation under the supervision of Prof. A. Torpiano Scientific Committee for the Conservation of the Megalithic Temples Prof. JoAnn Cassar and Perit Shirley Cefai are members of the multi-disciplinary Scientific Committee for the Conservation of Megalithic Temples, which also includes members from Heritage Malta, which cares for the sites. Other members include archaeologists, a conservator and a biologist. The Committee was set up by the Minister of Education and Culture. Regular meetings are held when decisions on major interventions on the megalithic sites are taken; site visits to the Temples are carried out whenever the need arises Bord tal-warrant tar-restawraturi Prof. Cassar was until December 2009 a member of the Board tal-warrant tar- Restawraturi, set up by the Minister for Education and Culture (now under the Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, the Environment and Culture). In September 2010, Prof Cassar was requested to help in the drawing up of amendments to the Cultural Heritage Act which concern Conservation Professionals, by Dr Jeanine Rizzo, a lawyer engaged by the Parliamentary Secretary to oversee the amendments. Several meetings took place throughout September 2010, and a draft was prepared for presentation to the Parliamentary Secretary for his views. 5.5 External to UoM foreign Erasmus agreements Erasmus agreements have been signed with the following European universities: Istituto Universitario di Architettura di Venezia (IUAV), Italy Centre for Sustainable Heritage, University College London (UCL), UK

21 Dipartimento di Chimica e Chimica Industriale, Universita degli Studi di Pisa, Italy Department of Chemistry, University of Antwerp (Belgium) Artesis Hogeschool Antwerpen (Belgium) - new Department of Geography, University of Portsmouth (UK) - new Lecturers from these Institutions have been invited over the years to lecture postgraduate students registered for the MSc in Conservation Technology for Masonry Buildings. During the academic year , the following visits took place: Prof. May Cassar and Dr Joel Taylor from the UCL Centre for Sustainable Heritage (November 2009) Prof. Mottershead and Dr Inkpen from the University of Portsmouth (January 2010) Dr Olivier Schalm from Artesis Hogeschool (March 2010) Other foreign lecturers on the course, supported by University of Malta funds, were Dr Stavroula Golfomitsou (from Athens), Ms Sandra Davison (from London) and Ing. Arch Gennaro Tampone (from Florence). In January 2010 Prof. Cassar participated in the Athens Experimental Course within the Framework of Educational Linkage Approach in Cultural Heritage (ELAICH) EuroMed Project, where she gave a lecture to High School students (see also Section 2.1 above). In April 2010, Prof. Cassar visited the Artesis Hogeschool Antwerpen where she delivered a series of lectures to undergraduate and postgraduate students, and staff members, at the Conservation School. This visit took place through an Erasmus exchange. In June 2010, Prof. Cassar visited the UCL Centre for Sustainable Heritage, where she delivered a series of lectures to postgraduate students following an MSc in Sustainable Heritage. This visit took place through an Erasmus exchange Lecture by Prof. Miloš Drdácký and Dr Zuzana Slížková On 9 October 2009, Prof. Miloš Drdácký and Dr Zuzana Slížková of the Institute of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic and the Centre of Excellence ARCCHIP delivered a lecture to undergraduate and postgradaute students at the Faculty for the Built Environment on "Innovated Diagnostic Methods for the Characterisation of Stone and Mortar". Prof. Drdácký and Dr Slížková were invited to give this lecture by the Department of the Built Heritage.

22 5.5.3 Invited presentation by Prof. JoAnn Cassar Prof. Cassar was invited to give a presentation during the international seminar on La rinascita del barocco, organised in Valletta (Malta) on the 13 th and 14 th November Prof. Cassar s presentation was entitled Il calcare Globigerina di Malta Composizione, proprieta e deterioramento Update on staff members PhD studies Perit Shirley Cefai is currently registered as a MPhil/PhD student with the University of York (UK). Her supervisor is Dr Jane Grenville. Her research is based on the anthropological and social aspects of conservation. She will eventually link this to the social context of Malta. Her research will lead to the understanding of how conservation in Malta has developed and how the influences of the different schools of thoughts which infiltrate Malta actually have influenced, if at all, the local methodology in conservation projects. She is investigating the social context of Malta and integrating it with a theoretical framework. The theoretical framework discusses the four main strands of colonialism, islandness, language and memory. The case studies which were decided on after the Thesis Advisory Panel of October 2009 are St John's Cocathedral, the Opera House site and Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra archaeological park. Perit Claude Busuttil has recently registered for a PhD with the University of Sorbonne - Paris IV (France). The supervisor of his thesis is Prof. Michele Virol of the Department of Modern and Contemporary History whilst the co-supervisor is Dr Stephen Spiteri. Perit Busuttil was in Paris between the 6 th and the 9 th of October to discuss his research project with his supervisor. It was agreed that research should start in Malta first at the AOM archives in the NLM. This year he was awarded a University of Malta scholarship which will now allow him to commence his studies. 6. Publications J Cassar The use of limestone in a historic context the experience of Malta. In: Limestone in the Built Environment: Present Day Challenges for Preservation of the Past. Smith, Gomez-Heras, Viles & Cassar eds. Geological Society, London, Special Publications 2010; v. 331; p J Cassar Co-editor of Geological Society of London Special Publication: Limestone in the Built Environment: Present Day Challenges for Preservation of the Past. Smith, Gomez-Heras, Viles & Cassar eds. Geological Society, London, Special Publications 2010; v. 331.

23 J. Cassar (in print) (co-author with M. Galea, R. Grima, K. Stroud and A. Torpiano) Shelters over the Megalithic Temples of Malta: debate, design and implementation. Environmental Earth Sciences (Special Issue), Springer-Verlag. R. De Angelis (co-author) 2010 Tracing the History of Wall Paintings through Visual Documents: the Vault Painting of the Main Hall at Verdala Palace, Malta. In: Source and Serendipity: Testimonies of Artists Practice. Ed. Erma Hermens and Joyce H Townsend, Archetype. Prof. Cassar is an Associate Editor of the Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology (Geological Society of London) and in 2010 attended an Editorial Board meeting of the journal in London. She has also carried out reviews for international journals, including the Journal of Cultural Heritage (Elsevier), Environmental Earth Sciences (Springer) and Construction and Building Materials (Elsevier). Prof J Cassar Head. Department of the Built Heritage