Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/329964
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 15 JUNE 2014 32 EDUCATION Minister Evarist Bartolo officially launched the Institute of Digital Games at the University of Malta earlier this week, in the presence of the Min- ister for Justice, Culture and Lo- cal Government Owen Bonnici, University of Malta Rector, Prof. Juanito Camilleri, and Institute Director, Prof. Gordon Calleja. Bartolo outlined the importance of game education in the growing digital game industry in Malta, while Bonnici spoke of the impor- tant role that digital games play in the Maltese economy and the cen- tral place they occupy in contem- porary culture. The Institute was set up in 2013 to deliver world-class teaching and research in digital game de- sign, analysis and technology. Each year the Institute's M.Sc. in Digital Games takes on 20 gradu- ate students who want to learn the art and science of making digital games. Students come from vari- ous academic backgrounds, in- cluding information technology, engineering, communication and the humanities and social sci- ences. Graduates of the program are prepared to take on design, research and consultancy roles to address complex game develop- ment problems. "My vision for the Institute is to place Malta on the world map in the areas of game design, research and education," Prof. Calleja said. "For this to happen we need to focus on educating students to both stimulate the growth of in- novative, indigenous start-ups, as well as service incoming game studios." The Institute also has a strong focus on research and is currently participating in important inter- national research projects. "We also intend to leverage our exist- ing international standing in the research community to establish a thriving doctoral programme made up of local and foreign re- searchers," Calleja added. THIS WEEK Every time I see a Little Egret (M: Agrett Abjad) two questions cross my mind. The rst: how on earth does it keep its plumage so immaculately white? It's not as though the habitat helps – the shallow lake shores where these birds strut about shing for small aquatic animals are often full of mud and algal muck. But if it hides its trade secrets of self purication, this bird certainly makes no attempt to hide itself, which brings me to my second question: what evolutionary advantage can that blinding whiteness give the bird? Contrary to some of its cousins (such as the Purple Heron or Bittern), Little Egrets instantly stick out wherever they land, and they don't seem to mind, as they walk about nonchalantly as though predators didn't exist. Mind you, the nonchalance is a total sham, because they're ever watchful, as any birdwatcher trying to inch closer for a better look will tell you. One glimpse of you and those fabulous white wings unfurl in an instant as the bird beats a fast retreat to a safe distance. Fantastic. Text and photo Victor Falzon 408. LITTLE EGRET Visit Friends of the Earth's website for more information about our work, as well as for information about how to join us www.foemalta.org. You can also support us by sending a blank SMS donation on 50618070 (€4.66) or 50619223 (€11.65). GREEN IDEA OF THE WEEK 310: ACT NOW - Please stand with the Jogbahn people to help protect their land: sign our petition to tell EPO to respect the Jogbahn community's rights. http://tinyurl.com/foemalta-act On March 5th the Jogbahn community, from Grand Bassa County in central Liberia, celebrated a major step forward in the struggle to save their land from being grabbed by British palm oil company Equatorial Palm Oil PLC. But, they are in imminent danger unless we act now to help protect their land. After months of negotiations and advocacy by community members in Liberia, backed by Friends of the Earth Liberia and international partners, the President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, promised that the Jogbahn's land – over 20,000 hectares of pristine forest – should be recognised as the community's land. She said no company should operate there without the community's consent. But the company is not listening. Despite the Presidential statement, Equatorial Palm Oil is continuing to conduct surveys of the Jogbahn community's land in preparation for clearance. Equatorial Palm Oil want to use the land for environmentally destructive palm oil monocultures, devastating the Jogbahn community. Communities' right to Free Prior and Informed Consent is a principle under both Liberian and international law. Friends of the Earth International and Friends of the Earth Liberia are warning governments and investors that any investment must respect communities' rights and ownership of land. Equatorial Palm Oil must listen to the Jogbahn community and accept that their 'no' means 'no'. The continuing determination of these communities is a cautionary tale for corporations who think they can ignore communities' rights and ownership of land. Text by Martin Galea De Giovanni Help stop land-grabbing for palm oil in Liberia Institute director Prof. Gordon Calleja. Also in photo: Owen Bonnici, Evarist Bartolo and Juanito Camilleri Institute of Digital Games inaugurated at the University of Malta