U.S. Fulbright Specialist works with Maltese architects and planners

Fulbrighter Dr. Ali  and other invitees at the lunch in his honor Full Size

Fulbright Specialist Dr. Mir Ali is currently in Malta conducting a program with the University of Malta and the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA).  Dr. Ali is a Professor at the University of Illinois-Champaign’s School of Architecture and an expert in urban planning and tall buildings.  He has written numerous papers and articles on tall buildings and has authored a number of books, including “The Skyscraper and the City.”  In addition, Dr. Ali has designed tall buildings in the United States, Singapore, Korea, Bangladesh and  Ethiopia.  During his time in Malta, Dr. Ali has worked closely with MEPA, which is developing policy guidance for high-rise development.  Last week, the Embassy hosted a lunch in Dr. Ali’s honor at the Ambassador’s Residence in Attard.  Invitees included government officials, leading architects, architecture students, and educators.

Malta’s “Green” Leaders Participate in Digital Video Conference

Participants listen attentively during the conference  Full Size

To mark World Environment Day, the U.S. Embassy conducted a digital video conference on the topic of alternative energy solutions on June 5.  The conference was attended by government officials, environmental experts, University of Malta academics, and officials from environmental NGOs.  The U.S. panel included Philip Clapp, Deputy Managing Director at the Pew Environment Group, and Robert W. Corell, Ph.D., Director of the H. John Heinz III Center for Science, Economics, and the Environment’s Global Change.  Participants expressed great interest in the debate on alternative sources of energy and discussed the impact of changes in the energy markets on Malta.

Ambassador Bordonaro visits schools participating in the Malta Writing Program

Ambassador Bordonaro speaks with the children and teachers.  Full Size

On June 5, Ambassador Bordonaro visited two schools that are participating in the Malta Writing Program (MWP) to celebrate the successful completion of the scholastic year.  In her remarks, the Ambassador recognized the collective efforts of the teachers, parents and children who have used the program to improve their proficiency in written English.  The U.S. Embassy has been very supportive of the Malta Writing Program since its inception in 2001 and has sponsored several MWP activities, including visits to Malta by American experts.  In 2007, the Malta Writing Program was formally accepted as an International Affiliate Site of the National Writing Project, an American teacher training institution with over 30 years of experience in the field of teaching of writing skills.  The Malta Writing Program is the first in Europe to achieve this status.  Ambassador Bordonaro noted that “The close cooperation between the Malta Writing Program and the U.S. National Writing Project is an excellent example of the benefits we gain by collaborating on educational issues.”