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In our fourth bitpod we discuss the topic of Artificial Intelligence with Profs. Matthew Montebello. Profs Montebello is a full professor at the Department of
Artificial Intelligence at the Faculty of ICT, University of Malta. He heads the Agent Technology Research Group at the departmental level, as well as coordinates a number of Interest Groups within the same faculty. During this bitpod, we discuss the status quo, current challenges, misconceptions, and future opportunities created by AI, on a local and global level.

Prof Matthew Montebello is a full professor at the Department of Artificial Intelligence at the Faculty of ICT, University of Malta. He heads the Agent Technology Research Group at the departmental level, as well as coordinates a number of Interest Groups within the same faculty.

Before joining the University in 1999 with a Ph.D. in Computer Science he was already heavily involved in Education in secondary schools after graduating in 1990 at the University of Malta B.Ed.(Hons) degree. Having obtained extensive teaching experience and having been involved with the introduction of computer labs through the Ministry of Education, he proceeded to follow the Computer Science domain when he pursued his post-graduate studies obtaining a Master's and a Doctorate at the Cardiff University in Wales in 1996 and 1998 respectively.

Furthermore, in 2009 and 2016 he also completed an M.A. and an Ed.D. (Higher Education) specialising in the application of artificial intelligence to e-learning. In 2017 he published a Springer monograph entitled 'AI-injected e-Learning' and was offered a visiting academic status at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign where he collaborated with the Computer Science department and College of Education on numerous projects and research initiatives.

In May 2018 he was appointed Adjunct Professor at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and published his second Springer monograph entitled 'Ambient Intelligent Classrooms'. In 2019 he was re-appointed head of the department and edited an IGI-Global handbook of research on Digital Learning while also in the process of authoring his third Springer monograph on Digital Learners.


#AI #artificialIntelligence #research #technology #learning #universityofMalta #future #bitpod #malta #podcast #pkfmalta


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Maria Formosa, born on the 1st October 1987, raised in Dingli with my parents and older sister.

For the past 7 years, since the first day it was founded, I have been part in building a foundation for motor neuron disease patients by the name of ALS Malta. My husband who is the founder of ALS Malta and an ALS patient himself has come with the idea to help other people on the island affected by this disease, together with a lot of awareness, campaigning and fundraising activities, we have built a home where patients can live and have the necessary care. The first home welcomes 13 residents and has been open for the past 5 years. Throughout these last years the need has unfortunately continued rising and we have therefore continued campaigning and fundraising to build another home. In the coming months the newer and bigger home will be open in which 30 other patients can reside and find adequate care together with other services which offer quality of living.

Currently I take care of my husband needs as his permanent care giver along with others who can fill my time when I am absent. I also campaign, organise events, deliver the adequate equipment to patients, manage accounting and secretarial daily jobs and HR. Being a foundation we have started off as my husband and I covering all roles needed to run the foundation, whilst in the past year we have passed on certain roles to other employees who joined us on board to be able to run smoothly our foundation and the various tasks it entails.

My overall goals are to offer the most adequate quality of life to our patients as well as their relatives, by our full respect and full understanding as we are also going through this journey first-hand. Our aim is to help every person that asks for our help and find solutions to offer them quality of life, all necessary equipment, as well as all the information needed to face this debilitating disease in the most serene way.

My biggest accomplishment has obviously been in delivering these services to our patients and gaining the respect and support of people from all around Malta who has come together and raised enough funds to ultimately open these two homes. In terms of personal accomplishments, I strongly believe that I have learnt a lot on how to be disciplined and

focused in order to arrive to accomplish goals, and also that love, respect and sacrifice can push all boundaries in terms of being there for one another in all circumstances.

On a personal note, last year I have achieved my masters degree in Management, something I have always put aside and almost feared but with dedication I have managed to achieve. In my free time I enjoy the countryside, being able to feel free and close to nature together with my family, grandma, nephews and nieces. I also enjoy a lot training sports as it gives me the energy and positive attitude to face my days.


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In our third episode we focus on the work of the Foundation for the Wellbeing of society which is chaired by Her Excellency Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, the Former President of Malta. The Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society aims to create and safe space for dialogue on social wellbeing with a special focus on the importance of children’s participation in our society. The Foundation is backed up by academic research and operates through a consultation process with the children themselves in order to instill the idea of an inclusive, just, equitable and eco-friendly society.

Our speaker, her Excellency Marie Louise Coleiro Preca served in politics for 45 years and was a member of Parliament for 16 years. She is a graduate Bachelor in Legal and Humanistic Studies and is a notary public from the University of Malta. Ms Coleiro Preca is also Honorary Professor of the University of Warwick, Honorary Doctor of Laws from University of Leicester (UK), and Honorary Doctor of Literature from the University of Malta.

#bitpod #malta #society #wellbeing  #MarieLouiseColeiroPreca #children #podcast #pkfmalta


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In this episode, Krystle Penza, a mother, an avid activist for women's empowerment, and co-founder and Managing Director of the Maltese jewelry brand Mvintage, takes us on the journey towards becoming a Successful Female Entrepreneur.

Discover how she's built her company from scratch, while simultaneously raising her daughter... making her jewelry brand one of the most sought-after jewelry designer brands in Malta. Krystle brings along 15 years experience of entrepreneurial flair in fashion brand management, distribution, wholesale, retail, and franchising. She's a force to be reckoned with.




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In our seventh bitpod session, we discuss mental health and how to achieve a work-life balance. More specifically, we discuss mental health awareness, stress management, and work-life balance. Our guest speaker is Mr. Matthew Paris, who is a learning and development officer at Richmond Foundation. Richmond Foundation’s mission is to support people experiencing mental health problems and those around them, throughout various aspects of life.




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In this episode together with Dr. Claire Azzopardi, who is the deputy dean of the Faculty for Social Wellbeing, we discuss the major ongoing topic of
menstrual leave. Currently, in Malta, this topic is being debated on whether such a policy should be implemented. The episode entails a short discussion on
the pros and cons of menstrual leave, its impact on the workplace, its different effects depending on how it is implemented if there are any actions that could be taken to reduce the stigma on menstruation, and whether we can learn from any successful countries that implemented such policy of menstrual leave.

Dr. Azzopardi Lane is currently the Head of the Department of Disability Studies, within the University of Malta’s Faculty for Social Wellbeing, of which she is also Deputy Dean. She spent years working as a front-liner in the disability sector, in Malta and abroad, in both the educational and social support fields.

Having read for a Master’s degree focusing on persons with intellectual disabilities with higher support needs, particularly sensory needs, at the University of Manchester, she worked in this field for 16 years putting her education into practice.
Dr. Azzopradi lane then read for her Ph.D. at the University of Kent’s Tizard Centre, looking more closely at the lived experiences of young persons with intellectual disabilities in Malta, focusing on their sexual well-being and family lives, in terms of what are now Articles 23 and 25 of the UNCRPD.
Dr. Azzopardi Lane’s research and follow-up work has since been presented not only in Malta, but also elsewhere, from Europe to Asia, the United States, and Canada, and including at the last Conference of States Parties (CoSP) to the UNCRPD. She also authored a number of book chapters, and publishes regularly in key international journals, acting as a peer reviewer for such journals too.




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