Yesterday marked the end of term for the 2015/2016 executive board members of the GhSL organisation. GhSL has had a rather eventful year as it ventured to enrich the organisation and provide an abundance of opportunities to students studying law.
The executive board, made up of twelve students who are currently studying law, highlighted the salient points of GhSL’s hard work this past year. The thesis librarian, Martina Briffa, explained the plan implemented for the digitising of all theses to be made easily accessible to all students. Daniela Attard, Policy Officer, focused on her newly appointed role last year to initiate more exposure to students interested in legal, political and social affairs. With the help of the committee lead by the Policy Officer, a policy paper on the topic of Legalisation of Prostitution was published and presented to the Minister of Justice Owen Bonnici.
For the first time, GhSL successfully planned a visit to the "Jurisdiche Studenten Vereniging te Utrecht’ (JSVU) in the Netherlands. Luisa Cassar Pullicino, the International officer, described the trip in which both Maltese and Dutch students enjoyed a busy schedule of sightseeing and various activities. In the past year, GhSL has also hosted a great deal of events including Doctor Death overseen by the External Relations Officer, Rebecca Cassar. The events officer, Robert Felice, went on to explain the events initiated through GhSL. The office also collaborated with other university organisations to help make these events possible.
Without a doubt, one of GhSL’s most rewarding accomplishments this year was the setting up of their new website which the Publications Officer, Sarah Pace Warrington, spoke about. GhSL, under the guidance of the Marketing Officer, Charles Mercieca, revamped the sponsorship schemes that GhSL offers. The marketing office gladly welcomed Fenech and Fenech Advocates as their legal partner, and the Institute of Legal Studies (ILS) Malta as their second sponsor which allows students to have access to the finest legal resources.
Luke Hilli, the Academic officer, was significantly busy this past year. The academic office introduced sub- committees which helped the office in administrating events such as "Law; The first step’, "Court Visits’ and "Dissertation Dilemma’. The office also provided the students with an insight into their future prospects as lawyers from Camilleri Preziosi Advocates spoke to students and presented a refreshed outlook on the legal profession. Hilli went to say that the climax of his year as Academic Officer was GhSL’s very first legal week in which many events took place celebrating the profession; this was all possible with the help of students in the sub-committees.
Public Relations Officer, Jacob Portelli, highlighted GhSL’s importance to the holistic outlook of the organisation. The image of the organisation has improved significantly and as a result GhSL has been featured in the media appealing to a national level. Freshers’ week was a pinnacle moment for the office as the new students received tours around campus, freebies, as well as all the information necessary for a smooth transition into the course. The Public Relations Office presided over the events of the organisation including "Wash out’,"Lawyered Up’ and most importantly the annual ball "Ballo Dei Signori ft Winter Moods’ which gathered students from different courses across campus.
Joshua Chircop, the Secretary General, explained the organisation’s active participation in student issues. In delegating its work through sub-committees and students representatives this has improved the quality of the organisation as a whole. The Secretary General also shed light on the stellar website GhSL has setup for the Faculty of Law students. A website that will be at the convenience of many students in the many years to come. The website has provided a platform whereby students can order notes and past papers and keep up to date with all events happening in the course. The website has become an essential tool of GhSL catering to all students of law.
Dirk Urpani, who has formed part of the organisation for last three years, ended the AGM on a corroborative note as President. He thanked his committed executive members for their hard work and all the efforts put into the organisation. Urpani stressed the importance of student activism within the faculty and also noted that GhSL has around 100 students directly involved in the organisation. The president worked with Konnect to set up the Job Opportunities on the website. For the first time the organisation also spoke to sixth form students, enlightening them with the opportunities the course might make available to them.
Jacob Portelli was confirmed the new President for GhSL’s new term, and Charles Mercieca as the new Vice-President, a new role introduced by the organisation. The newly appointed president commented that “I am honoured to form part of such a prestigious organisation that continues to improve its resources, connections, and most importantly, relationships with the students of law. After two years of contributing to the organisation, I look forward to building upon the outstanding work GhSL has already achieved and, with the help of the new executive board, I hope to make the organisation proud and work to the best of my capabilities. I look forward to guiding this organisation, which has been moulded by my predecessors, who have thought me a great deal and have proven that GhSL is a reliable and relevant organisation at the disposal of all students. This year I intend on making GhSL available to both the university and also on a more national level. Exciting times ahead!”
I would like to congratulate the past executive members for their diligence within the organisation. It was a pleasure to see active students, who take pride in providing the resources and opportunities for students, to fully experience law at the University of Malta. It is clear that this executive has strived to improve the organisation and refine the services available to students. The Faculty of Law is one of the most popular institutions at the University of Malta, which appeals to hundreds of students each year.
Elections for the new executive board will be held this Friday from 8am till 6pm.
