Universities of Malta, San Diego offer two degrees in one

The University of Malta and the San Diego State University in California yesterday launched a collaborative graduate degree programme in marketing and integrated marketing communications.

Through such collaboration between universities, the University of Malta was "internationalising its horizons further" under the International Masters Programme (IMP) brand, university rector Juanito Camilleri said during the launch at the Foundation for International Studies, in Valletta.

The IMP provides the umbrella for the University to market a series of dual masters programmes. The first dual collaborative programme was launched last December - the MSc in sustainable environmental resources management between the University of Malta and leading North American universities.

The dual masters in marketing and integrated marketing communications will be offered at the University of Malta with lectures being delivered by professors from both universities.

Students who successfully complete the one-year full-time programme, consisting of 14 modules and a dissertation, will earn two degrees: an MSc in business administration, with an emphasis on marketing, from the San Diego State University and an MA in integrated marketing communications from the University of Malta.

Kathleen Krentler, from the San Diego State University, explained how her university had been working in collaboration with the University of Malta for several years.

The programme in marketing and integrated marketing communications launched yesterday was created to respond to developments in the way contemporary marketers were communicating with current and prospective customers.

US Ambassador Molly Bordonaro praised the collaboration initiatives that tackled subjects that would help address "evolving realities" in today's world.

Supporting linkages between education in the US and Malta was one of her top priorities and this collaboration "epitomises the great relationship between our two countries".

Education Minister Louis Galea said he envied his successor. The next Education Minister, he said, was taking over an office where so much had already been charted or was in the state of implementation.

"Our government is looking forward to seeing the University becoming the jewel in the crown of education, training and research," he said adding that such collaborations created "win-win partnerships" that proved that the University of Malta was being perceived as a reliable partner by foreign universities. The masters in marketing and integrated marketing communications starts in September 2008.

All applications must be submitted to the IMP's admissions office by April 1. Two separate applications, one for each university, will be required.

www.um.edu.mt/imp