The ceremony of the Dean’s Awards for academic year 2022-23 at the Faculty of Theology was a highlight occasion held on Friday 10 May 2024, at which were present His Grace Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna and other distinguished guests, including Pro-Rectors Prof. Joseph Cacciottolo, Prof. Frank Bezzina, Prof. Valerie Sollars, Prof. Ing. Simon Fabri and HRMD Deputy Director Mr Robert Abdilla.

Hosted at the Aula Magna, Valletta Campus, the event celebrated the academic achievements of outstanding students and the faculty’s commitment to excellence.

Rev. Dr Stefan Attard, the Dean of the Faculty of Theology, set the tone with his heartfelt congratulations to all students, particularly those receiving awards. He emphasised the pivotal role of academic pursuit and research within the Faculty, shedding light on its recent milestones such as the introduction of new programmes, namely, the Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Scripture Studies, the restructuring of the Certificate in Safeguarding of Children and Young People to a post-graduate degree, as well as the restructuring of the MA in Environmental Ethics which will be offered in a synchronous and asynchronous mode.

Noteworthy initiatives through the past year include the conference "Making Connections" and THExpO, both meticulously organised by the proactive Għaqda Studenti tat-Teoloġija. Rev. Dr Attard also underscored initiatives such as the Aquinas Lecture in which His Eminence Luis Antonio Tagle, Pro-Prefect for the Section of First Evangelisation of the Dicastery for Evangelisation, delivered a heart-warming speech, titled, “Proclaiming the Good News by a Church which ‘goes forth’."

The ceremony gained international perspective with Prof. Barbara Strzałkowska from Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University, Warsaw, Poland, who shared biblical and theological insights with the esteemed assembly. She spoke about how theological discourse was born when Judaism encountered Greek thought through Christianity.

The Dean’s List features three kinds of awards: First in Class for students who excelled overall and placed first in their cohort; Special Awards sponsored by different entities to students who contributed to Maltese society through their research; and Certificates in Academic Excellence for high standards achieved in the respective dissertation of their course.

A further Special Award in Applied Theology was given to Brother Edward Galea f.s.c. Ms Mariella Scicluna, a close collaborator of Brother Galea, highlighted the commitment of the Lasallian Brother to the promotion of Christian education and evangelisation.

Finally, a recipient of the First in Class Award, Tian Ci Shawn Dominic Wong, delivered a speech highlighting the practical and concrete concept of theology as service.

At the end of the ceremony, the Dean thanked the Faculty administrative staff for organising the event and the sponsors whose generous support made the event possible: Agenda Bookshop, Foster Clark Products, Kite Group, The Metropolitan Cathedral Chapter, St John Co-Cathedral Foundation, the Archdiocese of Malta, the Foundation for Theological Studies, the Malta Catholic Youth Network, Prof. Richard England, together with the Seminary Vocations Centre of the Archdiocese as stakeholder.

Dr Francesca Briffa Polidano compèred the evening, that included musical interludes by Ms Fiorella Camilleri (flute) and Mr Karl Galea (guitar).

Award Winners for the Dean's List

First in Class Awards were presented to students who placed first in class with distinction.

These were:

• Carla Borg (Diploma in Religious Studies)
• Daphne Marie Fenech (Diploma in the Archival and Cultural Appreciation of Ecclesiastical Patrimony)
• Ryan Dalli (Bachelor of Arts [Honours] in Theology with Philosophy)
• Ritienne Debono (Master of Arts in Spirituality)
• Gabriel Cassar Tabone (Master of Arts in Spiritual Companionship)
• Malcolm John Saliba (Master in Theology)
• Jean Claude Attard (Licentiate in Sacred Theology)

The following Special Awards were awarded in recognition of outstanding performance in research:

• Special Award for Contextualising Theology, sponsored by the Episcopal Vicar for the Clergy: Luke Cutajar (Master of Arts in Spiritual Companionship).
• Special Award in Youth Ministry, sponsored by the Malta Catholic Youth Network: Kenneth Micallef
• Special Award for Vocations Promotion: Jean Claude Schembri (Stakeholder: The Seminary Vocations Centre).

Certificates in Academic Excellence in recognition of high standards achieved in the dissertation were presented to Mary Anne Agius, Tian Ci Shawn Dominic Wong, and Miriam Mallia.