It was indeed a pleasure for the Institute of Cellular Pharmacology (ICP) in collaboration with the Applied Research and Training Academy (ARTA) to host earlier this week a 30-strong group of students from the Ecole Nationale de Commerce in Paris. The students, whose visit to Malta was organised through the Maltese French Chamber of Commerce (MFCC), demonstrated great interest in the operations of both entities.

The students toured the premises and listened to what the institutions had to offer where their professional and academic goals are concerned. Sessions were highly interactive and engaging all round with guidance and stories from all different perspectives: professional, faculty, administration and specific knowledge of their culture, courses and other opportunities. Questions were answered by first-hand sources, namely Ms Daniella Lauri and the Principal and Head of ARTA, Dr Claire Baluci, as well as Ms Odette Vella from MFCC, with students learning from and building on questions asked by others in their group.

The official tour also included checking out the surrounding environment.  Students were set to have a genuine sense of the place through a visit to Malta’s Silent City, Mdina, and one of the museums there. This was followed by exploring in person the Augustinian monastery and St Mark’s Church in Rabat which fascinated all and sundry. Immersed in facts and history giving a deeper insight into the institutions’ and country’s ethos.

All of this served to fuel students’ excitement and enthusiasm to pursue their studies further. In turn, ARTA and ICP greatly value the palpable enthusiasm, excitement and commitment of this most welcome group of students.