Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1545950
6 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 24 JULY 2026 NEWS ON Thursday 16 July, Queen Mary University of London celebrated the fifth graduation ceremony at its Malta Campus, as 68 medical students from 27 nationalities graduated from its five-year medicine pro- gramme. The ceremony, cele- brated in Gozo, was attended by the Minister for Gozo, Clint Camilleri, alongside other sen- ior representatives from the Maltese Government, health- care sector and education com- munity. Since welcoming its first co- hort of students in 2017, over 200 medical students have graduated from Queen Mary's Malta Campus, which is well established as an international centre for medical education. The campus delivers a five-year Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme that combines early patient contact with integrated clinical learning, and which is taught by the University's Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. The programme reflects Queen Mary's commitment to educating future doctors who will go on to serve patients and communities around the world, and to advancing Ed- Tech and MedTech in Europe and beyond. Speaking on the graduations, Professor Sir Mark Caulfield, Vice-President for Health at Queen Mary, said: "The healthcare challenges of today and tomorrow require doctors who combine scientif- ic excellence with compassion, adaptability and a commit- ment to lifelong learning. Our graduates leave Queen Mary's Malta Campus equipped with the knowledge, clinical skills and professional values to make a meaningful contribu- tion to healthcare wherever they choose to practise. We are immensely proud of what they have achieved and we look for- ward to seeing the impact they will make throughout their careers. We are also proud of our partnership with Malta and would like to thank the Government and the people of Malta for their continued sup- port in helping to educate the next generation of doctors for humanity." The graduation ceremony also brought together senior leaders from across Malta's political, healthcare and edu- cation sectors. Guests included the Minister for Gozo, Clint Camilleri, and representatives from the British High Commis- sion, the University of Malta, Gozo General Hospital and the Gozo Business Chamber. Minister for Gozo, Clint Camilleri, said: "Today we celebrate not on- ly the achievements of 68 new doctors, but also the future of healthcare. Through our con- tinued investment in Gozo General Hospital and our partnership with Queen Mary University of London, we are strengthening Gozo as a centre of excellence where patients receive the highest standards of care, healthcare profession- als can thrive, and future gen- erations of doctors can learn, innovate, and serve with com- passion." Over the past five years, Queen Mary's Malta campus has strengthened partner- ships with Malta's healthcare sector, expanded opportuni- ties for clinical education and deepened its engagement with local communities. Recent ini- tiatives include the donation of 70 computers to Bishop's Con- servatory Secondary School in Gozo, supporting digital learn- ing for local students. Queen Mary celebrates five years of medical graduates at Malta Campus in Gozo 200 medical students have graduated from Queen Mary's Malta Campus Kevin Francica appointed new head of Wild Birds Regulation Unit The Gozo Ministry appoints Kevin Francica as the new head of the Wild Birds Regulation Unit (WBRU) THE Gozo Ministry an- nounced the appointment of Kevin Francica as the new head of the Wild Birds Regula- tion Unit (WBRU). In a statement issued on Tuesday, the ministry high- lighted Francica's 36 years of experience in the public ser- vice, as well as his knowledge of the hunting and trapping sector. The WBRU is responsible for regulating hunting and trapping, implementing gov- ernment policy, ensuring compliance with national and international law, and coor- dinating with relevant stake- holders. Francica began his career at the Customs Department in 1998 and has since held sever- al leadership positions across government entities. These include director responsible for international affairs, policy development and implemen- tation at the Customs Depart- ment, director-general at the Health Ministry, and direc- tor-general at the Malta Tax and Customs Administration. In his new role, Francica will lead efforts to improve the WBRU's administrative effi- ciency and address the sector's priorities, including strength- ening its legislative framework and research programmes. The ministry thanked former WBRU head Richard Lia for his work and service over the years and wished Francica suc- cess in his new role. Kevin Francica has 36 years of experience in the public service along with extensive knowledge of the hunting and trapping sector