Meet the graduates who defied the odds

From a builder turned doctor to an autistic archaeologist, a cancer survivor who will now treat patients and a business-minded singer who attended lectures with her baby on her lap, the postgraduates of 2026 are not only a record number but also examples of achievement and inspiration.

Their stories are among 1,618 Master’s and PhD students – 983 females and 635 males – who celebrated this important milestone across 18 ceremonies that took place recently.

Eighty-one of them have been conferred with a doctoral degree: 72 PhDs, one Doctor of Music and eight Doctorates in Pharmacy.

Amid the many caps in the air during the graduation ceremonies in Valletta was that of Emily Slater, who has completed a Master of Arts in Cultural Heritage Management.

Being autistic, Slater has not only navigated student life with determination but she has also become a strong voice for disability rights and advocacy, inspiring others with her courage and resilience, the University of Malta said.

Emily Slater

In recognition of her academic journey, Slater was nominated by the Department of Conservation and Built Heritage. Its associate professor, Reuben Grima described her as “a warrior and a champion for disability rights”.

Slater said that “as an autistic person, culture, historical sites, figures, events and dates have always been a love for me”.

She continued to pursue her studies, moving on to follow a course in disability rights that taught her a lot about inclusion and its importance.

Slater’s latest postgraduate degree was an opportunity to combine both interests, with her dissertation focusing on autistic access in archaeological sites.

A record number of postgraduate graduations have been held over the last two weeks.

Asked about her future plans, Slater simply said she wanted to “be happy”. But she also wanted to encourage inclusion in heritage.

“To every autistic and neurodivergent student coming to university, find your people – the ones who will support you. The path may not be straightforward but you have to keep going.”

Breaking the builder mould

Omar Kassab, a former builder, has now earned the title of doctor. He was among the latest cohort of graduates from the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, who celebrated the culmination of five years of hard work.

In his case, his studies were accompanied by construction jobs. But, at 26, Kassab has brushed off the dust, laid down the tools and changed the course of his life, realising his dream.

The reason why he chose to become a doctor is because he lost his grandmother at a young age due to shortcomings in her treatment.

“I promised myself that the struggles we passed through would not happen to others,” Kassab said.

Omar Kassab

As a builder, he has often had to the deal with the stereotype that “if you work in construction, you have a low level of education”.

His clients, he said, would often be surprised that he wrote good Maltese when he answered their e-mails. They may be even more taken aback if they find him in a clinic, wearing his scrubs and having traded his saw for a stethoscope.

‘Our inspiration, our warrior and our heart’

Joining the medical profession is also Isaac Zahra, whose studies to become a doctor were stalled – but not stopped – by leukaemia.

The cancer survivor will now be dedicating his life to treating patients facing illness – something he has first-hand experience of.

On his graduation, Zahra’s father wrote in a Facebook post: “Life threw you one of the hardest battles and you faced it with courage, strength, determination and a smile. Even when things were dark, you never gave up… You are our inspiration, our warrior and our heart.”

For Zahra too, one of his proudest moments was beating leukaemia and returning to his studies in the same year. He completed his third year as a medical student right after his cancer treatment.

Isaac Zahra

Even though he has been in and out of hospital, Zahra was not put off the career path he chose. In a university interview, he had said he felt it was very fulfilling and rewarding.

“So many people have reached out to me after my experience and being able to give them courage and strength in their worst times has been another proud moment. I feel honoured to be in this humble position and wish to pursue it.”

A lesson in juggling

Between singing at weddings, holding down a full-time job in the hospital industry and having a baby, Kylie Coleiro, 33, also completed her International Master’s in Business Administration.

Forever keen to keep on studying and improving her area of expertise in her line of work, her thesis was based on procurement efficiency in Malta’s hospitals.

Coleiro is grateful for the support she had along the way, noting that she sometimes had to take her child along to lectures with her.

“The accomplishment belongs to them but the pride extends to their loved ones and mentors, who have stood by them every step of the way,” the university said.

Kylie Coleiro