JC lecturers to go on strike next week due to trade dispute

Jan 13 2022

The Malta Union of Teachers has ordered lecturers at Malta’s Junior College to start industrial actions starting tomorrow, moving into a strike next week.

This follows an unresolved trade dispute between the University of Malta and the Government, first declared back in August of 2021.

The MUT ordered a number of directives to come into effect tomorrow. These include refraining from answering emails, internal phone calls, uploading or handing over assessment marks and even attending departmental meetings and committee meetings.

They are also refrained from organising CPD meetings, attending meetings at any campus, giving contact hours outside timetabled hours, participating in official UM/JC events and even returning attendances.

The directive also states that if there is no positive resolution to the dispute, the union shall be escalating industrial actions with a two-hour strike next week on 24th January. If not reached by then, a one-day strike on 25th January will also take place.

The MUT said in a statement that ‘negotiations on a new collective agreement, which have been carried out during the past two years, reached a standstill, and conciliation meetings held did not lead to a positive outcome to conclude negotiations to the satisfaction of all.

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Hygiene is more than just a priority thanks to Capo Crudo’s Rensair

Jan 13 2022

Capo Crudo have just announced new machines which are set to make it more comfortable living in a COVID-19 pandemic world.

Taking care in keeping with their tradition of bringing clients a world class dining experience, Capo Crudo have implemented new hygiene measures to combat the pandemic and ensure client safety. By installing hospital-grade air purifiers that trap and destroy 99.7% of airborne bacteria and viruses, including the COVID family, hygiene has became more than just a top priority.

Rensair has already been adopted by major institutions globally, including brands such as Pepsi and Disney, as well as UK National Health Services and the UK’s Ministry of Defence.

The technology was originally developed for Scandinavian hospitals, getting strict air quality requirements. This technology has now been made available globally. Most other conventional air purifiers simply collect and trap harmful particles. The Rensair air purifier patented solution uses the most advanced purification technology as documented by independent laboratories including Eurofins, Oslo University Hospital and Norconsult.

‘We hope to set the stage for a wide adoption of the Rensair air purifiers across the island, so that Malta can be among the first countries to go back to the ´old normal’ where we could all safely meet and greet in our favourite restaurants, hotels, shops, offices, schools, and more safely!’

With these new machines claim tested by world renowned independent laboratories, the brand highlights how we can all afford to make this small investment for the sake of employees, clients and everyone else to eliminate airborne viruses.

‘We at Capo Crudo are leading the way. We invite the industry to join us and beyond’.

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Young local artists among SAF Global Student Prize 2022 shortlist

Young Maltese and Gozitan artists among SAF Global Student Prize 2022

Jan 13 2022

With £4,300 in grants on offer for winning artists and their schools, The Sovereign Art Foundation (SAF) have announced the shortlist of the 2022 global edition of their annual art prize for secondary school students.Among the talented young artists vying for the title of ‘Global’ winner are the winners from The Malta & Gozo Students Prize – Ylenia Schembri of The Malta Visual and Performing Arts School and Rana Sanugha of Maria Regina College.

SAF, launched in Hong Kong in 2003, is a non-profit organisation that promotes contemporary art talent through its international art prizes, whilst also raising funds for various charitable programmes. The Sovereign Art Foundation Students Prizes run in ten countries, designed to celebrate the importance of art in the education system by identifying talented young artists and rewarding successful secondary-school art programmes to the benefit of a greater number of students.

The prize will see 15 artworks by students from Gibraltar, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Isle of Man, London, Malta and Gozo and Mauritius coming together in an online exhibition. These finalists were previously named winners in their respective regions back in 2021, being selected either by judges or the popular vote. Judges include Catalina Swinburn, Chilean visual artist; Howard Bilton, Founder and Chairman of SAF; Sara Mao, Director of Christie’s Education Asia; Tiffany Pinkstone, Executive director of SAF; and Tim Marlow, Chief executive and director, Design Museum London.

The global competition ensures cultural exchange between nations, showcasing artworks by the most talent and promising students globally. It runs until 31 January online, when the winners are announced.

For more information and to vote you can follow this link.

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New investment in Gozo’s Maritime transport by Virtu Ferries

Jan 13 2022

Virtu Ferries recently announced the purchase of a brand new High Speed Ferry for the Mġarr, Gozo to Valletta, Malta route.

Indicating Virtu’s commitment to the Gozo with a €7 million investment, the HSC Gozo Express will be registered under the Maltese flag after having been designed by the Australian high speed ferry designers Incat Crowther.

The “Gozo Express” has an overall length of 42.2 meters as well as a carrying capacity of 322 passengers. Air conditioned lounges on two decks and outside seating for 40 passengers on the upper deck are a particular feature of this brand new vessel.

Powered by four MTU 12 V2000 M72 engines and four Rolls Royce water jets, it is capable of a maximum speed of more than 38 knots and a service speed of 35 knots.

It has already successfully completed sea trials in December 2021 and is expected to be delivered to Virtu Ferries by mid-March 2022. It will be replacing the SES San Pawl and will operate alongside the SES San Frangisk. The former will be redeployed on the company’s Venice to Croatia route under the banner of Venezia lines.

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