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International Public Services Day Celebrated with Special Awards

Jun 24 2024 Share

The Public Service honored exceptional public officers during a ceremony held under the patronage of President Dr. Myriam Spiteri Debono. The event celebrated International Public Services Day by acknowledging those who stood out in their work over the past year.

Public Service Head Tony Sultana highlighted the importance of motivating public officers on this special day for public administration. He referenced the Public Service Expo, which focused on discussing various skills and evaluating current capabilities to ensure they are well-maintained and developed.

The awards adjudication board received hundreds of high-level nominations, demonstrating the significant contributions of public officers to improving people’s lives. The following awards were presented:

  • Quality Award: Given to the National Blood Transfusion Service for the outstanding quality of service provided. The Office of the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector, the English Language Teaching Council, the Gender Violence Unit, and the Employee Support Programme within the Office of the Prime Minister received quality labels.
  • Best Practice in Good Governance Award: Awarded to the Malta Council Science and Technology (MCST), praised by the National Audit Office (NAO) in a recent audit.
  • Best Digital Solution: Awarded to the Ministry for Gozo and Planning for the “Events in the Gozo App”, which provides comprehensive information about Gozo for both residents and tourists with a user-friendly design and advanced technical interface.
  • Best Green Initiative: Granted to Water Services Corporation for issuing the first green bonds in Malta, valued at €25 million, aligning with sustainable development goals and the European Union Green Deal. This funding supports efficient plants, solar panel installations, sewage purification improvements, and new water enhancements.
  • Inclusion Award: Given to San Miguel Primary Education Resource Centre, which provides education to students aged 3 to 11 with complex learning difficulties through sensory methods and promotes inclusion by integrating these students with peers from mainstream schools.
  • Role Model Award: Awarded to Ms. Marcelle Muscat, Customer Interface Manager at the Lands Registration Agency. Despite personal challenges, Ms. Muscat demonstrated commitment and perseverance in her duties, inspiring others with her passion for serving clients effectively.
  • Inspiring Social Responsibility Award: Given to MITA Cares, a committee within MITA that supports various NGOs and voluntary organizations, including Puttinu Cares, the Malta Trust Foundation, Caritas, Dar Bjorn, the Karl Vella Foundation, and Appoġġ.
  • Project of the Year: Awarded to SportMalta for the Olympic Pool project in Cospicua, featuring state-of-the-art facilities including dressing rooms, offices, control rooms, water heating systems, air conditioning, and spectator areas.
  • Team Recognition Award: Given to the Logistics Section within the Ministry of Education, Sport, Youth, Research, and Innovation, which provides multidisciplinary services in colleges and schools across Malta and Gozo. Last year, this team completed 514 projects.
  • Outstanding Effort Award: Presented by Principal Permanent Secretary Tony Sultana to the emergency team at Mater Dei Hospital and Gozo General Hospital. This team, comprising specialized doctors, emergency nurses, physiotherapists, radiographers, technicians, and other health workers, provides 24/7 emergency services, assisting around 150 critically ill patients daily in Malta and serving 280 patients per day in the Department. In Gozo, the emergency department assists around 90 patients daily, with the pediatric section welcoming 70 to 100 children daily.

The ceremony highlighted the dedication and hard work of public officers, emphasizing their crucial role in enhancing public services and making a positive impact on the community.

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Over 45 Films Screening This Week For Mediterrane Film Festival

Over 45 Films Screening This Week For Mediterrane Film Festival
Jun 24 2024 Share

With massive titles such as The Greatest Showman, Avatar, Gladiator and Jurassic World being among the classic films being screened, the screenings are also set to be attended by stars from some of these very same titles.

These include Connie Nielsen, who portrayed Lucilla in Gladiator and director Colin Trevorrow from Jurassic World.

But that’s not all, as 15 films to be screened this week will be competing in the Golden Bee Awards, with another 7 environment themed films screened in the Mare Nostrum section of the Mediterrane Film Festival.

15 immersive projects from Europe and beyond will also be available for attendees to experience as part of the Future Visions section, and much more taking place in a jam-packed week.

St George’s Square has been transformed into an open air cinema for some of the film screenings, with other venues in Valletta such as Eden Cinemas also hosting more the films during the week.

You can view the screenings here. And you get your tickets for the screenings here.

#MaltaDaily

 

“Bike Ride 2024” Announced to Raise Funds for Dar tal-Providenza

Jun 24 2024 Share

The Department of Public Works, in collaboration with Dar tal-Providenza, has announced the “Bike Ride 2024”, a charitable cycling marathon set to take place on Sunday, 6 October 2024. The primary aim of this event is to raise funds for Dar tal-Providenza, an organization dedicated to providing residential care and support to individuals with disabilities.

The marathon will start at the National Park of Malta in Ta Qali, a newly inaugurated project by the Department of Public Works. From there, the route will lead cyclists through Imtarfa, Rabat, and under Mdina to the Gomorrino Bridge, another recent project of the department. Following a brief rest stop, participants will cycle back to the National Park. This event has been organized in close coordination with Transport Malta, the Police force, and the Red Cross, ensuring the safety and well-being of all participants with immediate medical assistance available if needed.

Parliamentary Secretary for Public Works, Omar Farrugia, expressed his enthusiasm for the event and urged public participation. “I am very satisfied with the department’s initiative, which not only promotes the alternative use of transport but also aims to support Dar tal-Providenza, which does so much valuable and necessary work. I encourage you to join us so that together we can do our part and support the residents of this House,” he stated.

Fr Martin Micallef, Director of Dar tal-Providenza, also attended the launch event. He extended his gratitude to the Department of Public Works for their initiative, noting that such efforts provide vital encouragement to continue their mission. Dar tal-Providenza currently cares for 115 residents, and events like this cycling marathon are crucial in sustaining their operations.

Applications for participation in Bike Ride 2024 can be obtained with a donation of €10 from Dar tal-Providenza and Projects House in Il-Floriana, available Monday to Friday between 8 AM and 1 PM. Additionally, applications can be completed online via the Department of Public Works’ Facebook page or directly through the online application form.

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Italy To Face Croatia In ‘Group Of Death’

Italy To Face Croatia In 'Group Of Death'
Jun 24 2024 Share

In Euro 2024’s ‘Group of Death,’ Spain has already secured advancement, leaving Italy and Croatia to battle for survival. Italy holds a slight advantage after defeating Albania 2-1, while Croatia’s draw against the same team puts them at risk of an early exit.

Croatia, which has reached the World Cup final and semi-final in recent years, may make several changes to improve their performance. Midfielder Marcelo Brozovic has faced criticism, and veteran Luka Modric has struggled. Ivan Perisic has yet to regain form after an injury.

Youngster Luka Sucic might replace Brozovic, and striker Bruno Petkovic, who missed a penalty against Spain, has called for the team to step up. Coach Zlatko Dalic feels he is unfairly criticized despite Croatia’s successes. Goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic remains optimistic, believing Croatia controls its fate.

Italy needs only a draw to secure second place but faces low expectations after their 1-0 loss to Spain. With veterans like Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini retired and coach Luciano Spalletti making potential changes, the team looks different from the one that won Euro 2020. Gianluigi Buffon expressed confidence, urging the team to use their recent defeat as motivation.

#MaltaDaily