Article Differential exposure to the English Language? Assessing English language use among chemistry and sociology academics in European universities. Godfrey Baldacchino, Saeed Karimi Aghdam, Lucia Abbamonte, Neuza Costa, Anna Dulska, Jonathan Durgadoo, Jagoda Granic, Gwenola Le Gall, Paloma López-Zurita, Magdalena Wawrzyniak-Śliwska Pages: 89 - 104 Read Abstract | View full article |
PDF Abstract: In universities where the language of instruction is not (mainly) English (EN), academic members of staff from different disciplines are exposed to EN to varying extents and they may thus be expected to demonstrate different degrees of EN competence.
We hypothesise that, gGenerally speaking, university professors and lecturers of national literature, national language, linguistics and local social studies may be farthest removed from EN language obligations; while those dealing with the hard sciences have stronger obligations to engage with technical EN. In December 2023, a survey based on self-reporting was organised amongst the academic, administrative and student community of the nine universities that now constitute the ‘European University’ Alliance: the ‘European University of the Seas’ (SEA-EU). Amongst various other themes, this survey explored the self-declared English Language competences of lecturers and professors of sociology (N=23) as well as lecturers and professors of chemistry (N=88) in eight out of these nine universities. The results, while indicative, support the claim that academics in the field of sociology, working in largely non-EN teaching universities, may not need a strong level of EN competence as much as chemistry lecturers and professors. Thus, one can argue that chemistry academics are generally under greater pressure to improve their level of English in all departments (reading, writing, listening, speaking alone or in a conversation, delivering formal lectures, preparing notes, slides and examinations, etc.) than sociology academics. These results provide valuable nuance to the use of the English language in the European academic community.
Doi: 10.7423/XJENZA.2024.3.01
Article The State of Occupational Health and Safety in the Maltese Construction Industry and the Way Forward Raisa Ferranti, Luke Anthony Fiorini Pages: 105 - 120 Read Abstract | View full article |
PDF Abstract: Construction is the most dangerous sector in Malta. Most fatal accidents at work occur in this sector, while it also has the highest annual number of non-fatal accidents per capita. To date, no studies have analysed the state of this sector from the perspective of occupational health and safety practitioners working in the construction industry. This qualitative study aims to do this while identifying strategies to improve standards. Structured interviews were conducted with twelve qualified participants, all of whom worked in the construction industry. The resulting data was analysed thematically. All participants agreed that the state of health and safety on construction sites in Malta has improved over time. Participants identified several challenges including unregulated developers who have no interest in health and safety, a lack of safety standards in the construction industry, friction between practitioners and the Occupational Health and Safety Authority, issues regarding enforcement, a lack of training for construction workers and precarious working conditions for migrant workers. In light of the findings, short-term and long-term solutions are suggested. These include increased enforcement, alternative penalties, better resources for the involved inspectorate, adequate training, the licensing of contractors, and construction standards development.
Doi: 10.7423/XJENZA.2024.3.02
Article Identification of Candidate Sites for an Offshore Green Hydrogen Production Plant Concept with Integrated FLASC Energy Storage in Malta’s Exclusive Economic Zone Diane Scicluna, Oleksii Pirotti, Robert N Farrugia, Tonio Sant, Daniel Buhagiar Pages: 121 - 134 Read Abstract | View full article |
PDF Abstract: The integration of Hydrogen (H2) production systems with offshore renewable energy (RE) generation could create opportunities for future decarbonisation of the maritime sector. However, the intermittency of wind and other offshore renewables presents several challenges with respect to power generation and electrolyser shutdowns and start-ups. In such situations, it could be advantageous to integrate energy storage systems (ESS) to ensure, as far as possible, the uninterrupted operation of stand-alone offshore systems by balancing the renewable electrical power surpluses with the deficits, or shortfalls. The Floating Liquid Piston Accumulator using Seawater under Compression (FLASC) technology, a patented Hydro Pneumatic Energy Storage (HPES) system specifically designed and developed at the University of Malta for marine deployment, was the ESS of choice for integration into an offshore green hydrogen production plant. This research report is related to the HydroGenEration (“Hydro-pneumatic Energy Storage for Offshore Green Hydrogen Generation) project that investigates the feasibility of using the FLASC storage technology for hydrogen production subject to Mediterranean wind conditions. Apart from the technical feasibility, a necessary requisite for a stand-alone, offshore hydrogen production plant is the identification of suitable offshore sites and of potential end-users, such as maritime sector operators as consumers of the H2 fuel. Project HydroGenEration explores potential deep-water sites in the central Mediterranean basin, and specifically in proximity of the Maltese Archipelago, as a basis for more representative numerical modelling of the technology concept. A high-level candidate site identification exercise was therefore conducted. The zones identified as potential candidate sites for the HydroGenEration project concept were predominantly within the areas declared in the more recently launched 2023 document: “National Policy for the Deployment of Offshore Renewable Energy - A Draft for Public Consultation”, defining the future role for offshore renewables in Malta’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Doi: 10.7423/XJENZA.2024.3.03
Article A Land Use and Land Use Change Study of the Maltese Islands (1998-2012) Daniel Sultana Pages: 135 - 151 Read Abstract | View full article |
PDF Abstract: A thorough understanding of past spatial and temporal land use variations is critical for evaluating the effectiveness of land use policies and guiding future decisions towards sustainable management. Such knowledge places current land use trends in a historical context, allowing for better modeling of potential future scenarios. This study contributes to this understanding by providing two high-resolution datasets. The first dataset presents a fine spatial resolution land use map of Malta for 2012, with a minimum mapping unit (MMU) of 0.01 km². The second dataset offers a very fine spatial resolution map (MMU of 0.0005 km²) that documents the spatial changes in artificial surfaces and the land uses they replaced between 1998 and 2012.
The analysis shows that artificial surfaces in the Maltese Islands covered 48.13 km² in 1998, increasing by 4.68 km² to 52.81 km² by 2012. In 1998, 84% of these artificial surfaces were located within development zones (within scheme), 14% were found outside of combined development and environmental designations, and 2% within environmentally designated areas. Structure Plan policies during this period successfully confined 49% of new artificial surfaces within development zones. However, 48% of new artificial surfaces were constructed outside of development designations, and 3% were built within environmentally protected zones. These findings suggest that the Structure Plan's policy framework was only partially effective in containing urban expansion within designated areas, while environmental policies were more successful in curbing industrial and residential development within protected zones.
New artificial surfaces during the study period primarily replaced agricultural land, both used (1.84 km²) and abandoned (1.40 km²), as well as semi-natural areas (0.43 km²). This research highlights a misalignment between the intended objectives of land use policies and the actual land use changes observed over the 14-year period. It underscores the importance of acquiring detailed spatial and temporal data to inform national land use and resource management policies aimed at promoting sustainable land use. An accurate assessment of these variations is crucial for adjusting policy measures to achieve the desired outcomes in future land management efforts.
Doi: 10.7423/XJENZA.2024.3.04
Article The Influence of Migration on Malta's Demographic Transition: An Observational Study Victor Grech, Sarah Cuschieri, Miriam Gatt, Charmaine Cordina, Neville Calleja, Hagen Scherb Pages: 152 - 161 Read Abstract | View full article |
PDF Abstract: The demographic transition model (DTM) refers to the historical change from elevated birth and high death rates to low birth and low death rates in more advanced and higher education societies with higher levels of economic development. Malta is a small, central Mediterranean country (population ≈ 500,000) with a high influx of workers. This study was carried out to ascertain secular trends in births in Malta by nationality of mother, including age standardised fertility rates, population levels and employment trends. The study design uses ecological methodology. Births, age-specific fertility rates (ASFR), population and employment data were analysed for 2000-2020. Total births increased from 4,311 in 2000 to 4,420 in 2021 (p = 0.0001) as did proportion of nonMaltese births from 5.2 to 46.7% (p < 0.0001). Maltese ASFR only was in significant decline (p = 0.0003). Total population increased from 388,759 in 2000 to 520,971 in 2022 (p < 0.0001) as did the proportion of
onMaltese workers, which increased from 2.2% in 2000 to 20.6% in 2022 (p < 0.0001). Maltese and non-Maltese, part-time and full-time employment rates significantly increased (p < 0.0001). The proportion of non-Maltese increased for part-time and full-time workers also increased (p < 0.0001). Fertility is falling almost globally with ageing population and declining births and populations. In Malta, domestic labour supply cannot keep up with an influx of foreign workers, weathering its demographic transition at the expense of a rapidly expanding population but the long-term results are of significant concern as infrastructures may not cope and a substantial worker efflux for whatever reason could potentially precipitate a significant economic downturn.
Doi: 10.7423/XJENZA.2024.3.05
Article Connect, Collaborate, Conquer: How OiPub Transforms Research Discovery and Discussion Robert Bianchi Pages: 162 - 162 View full article |
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Article The 2024 COPCA Conference in Valletta Duncan Mifsud, Rebekah Attard-Trevisan, Alexey Verkhovtsev, Nigel Mason Pages: 163 - 165 View full article |
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