University Foundation Day

The 183rd anniversary of the Royal University of Malta was celebrated at the University (Jesuits' Church on Saturday morning in the presence of a distinguished gathering. His Grace Mgr. Michael Gonzi, Metropolitan Archbishop of Malta celebrated Holy Mass.

The Prime Minister, who was accompanied by Mrs Borg Olivier, was greeted with the Hymn of Malta on arriving at the Church.

Governor’s arrival

His Excellency the Governor accompanied by Lady Creasy arrived at the Church wearing the cap and gown of his office of Chancellor of the University. His arrival, after Mass, was announced by the playing of the National. Anthem. The Archbishop theb intoned the Te Deum at the High Altar.

Dr. Philip Farrugia, Professor of Chemistry, delivered an oration on: "The Uphill Road to the Temples," which was a survey of the progress of Chemistry in the Royal University of Malta from 1769 to 1952.

After the oration, Matriculation certificates were presented to Mr. J. L. Pace, Mr A. Apap-Bologna, Mr. J. Azzopardi-Pizzuto, Mr J. Bondin, Mr J. Busuttil (winner of the Archbishop Caruana Prize in Religion), Brother Julius Grech, O.P., Mr. J. Melillo, Miss J. Rizzo, Mr V. Vella-Muscat and Mr. C. Zammit.

Mr T. Vella-Zarb received the degree of Bachelor in Pharmacy.

Those present included Mrs Manché, wife of the Rector Magnificus, Mrs Farrugia, wife of the orator, the Marchesina Apap-Bologna, Dr Reynaud and Mr. J. Pace, formerly Secretary of the University.

The celebration included a Foundation Day Luncheon at the Modern Imperial Hotel, Sliema, and a Foundation Day dance at the Hotel Phoenicia on the initiative of the Students' Representative.Council.