STATUTE FOR THE INSTITUTE OF EARTH SYSTEMS

STATUTE FOR THE

INSTITUTE OF EARTH SYSTEMS

SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 327.356

STATUTE FOR THE

INSTITUTE OF EARTH SYSTEMS

6th August, 2010

LEGAL NOTICE 378 of 2010, as amended by Legal Notice 138 of 2012.

The title of this statute is the Statute for the Institute of

Earth Systems.

STATUTE FOR THE

INSTITUTE OF EARTH SYSTEMS

In this Statute, unless the context otherwise requires

"Earth Systems" shall refer to a concept which goes a step

beyond traditional disciplinary investigation, taking a wider

p e r s p e c t i v e o f t h e E a r t h ’s d y n a m i c s y s t e m s . S u c h n o t i o n

acknowledges the inter-connectedness of abiotic and biotic

components, as well as the need for sound planning and integrated

resources management. Critical to a ‘systems’ approach is the

inclusion of people and their environment. Earth systems science

thus recognizes the link and interaction between the geo-sciences,

evolutionary processes and ecology, and the human dimension

(broadly the social, economic, cultural and technological

elements), through environmental management;

"the Board" shall mean the Board of the Institute;

"the Centre" shall mean the Euro-Mediterranean Centre on

Insular Coastal Dynamics;

"the Institute" shall mean the Institute of Earth Systems.

The Institute of Earth Systems is hereby established as an

institution within the University of Malta.

The aims of the Institute shall be

(a) to promote an interdisciplinary and integrated

approach to all environmental aspects, and address

societal issues within an environmental perspective;

and

(b) to promote research and training on all aspects of the

human and physical environment, including the rural

sciences, with particular reference to

(i)

global questions relating to the management of

the environment, to the affirmation and

protection of the rights thereto, including those

of future generations;

(ii) regional (e.g. Mediterranean) issues relating to

the environment, including conservation (loss of

biodiversity in its various forms and root causes

STATUTE FOR THE

INSTITUTE OF EARTH SYSTEMS

of related problems, notably habitat degradation

and loss) and rural science;

(iii) training

of

target

groups

(including

environmental

planners,

environmental

managers, agrologists, architects, engineers,

economists, journalists and lawyers) on

environmental issues pertaining, in particular, to

their respective areas;

(iv) the running of undergraduate and postgraduate

programmes, as well as short intensive

specialised courses, where appropriate, in

collaboration with other institutions, in the

various fields of earth systems;

(v) issues surrounding health and sustainable land/

food systems;

(vi) issues concerning the responsible use of finite

land and water resources;

(vii)

multi-scale (molecular to global) systems in

support of a bio-based economy;

(viii) the specific needs of Maltese agricultural

practices;

(ix) the need to pioneer best available technologies

for Maltese agriculture;

(x) gathering and disseminating information and

documentation on the natural, semi-natural and

human environment;

(xi) implementation of projects falling within the

remit of the Institute.

The Institute shall cooperate with the Government of Malta

and relevant authorities/agencies and advise, if required, on matters

relating to the environment, in its widest sense. The Institute shall

also advise on the efficient use of local agricultural resources and

provide professional advisory services to the local farming

community. The Institute, in collaboration with other institutions,

may set up under its remit other sub-units dealing with specialized

aspects of the environment, with the approval of Senate and

Council.

The Institute shall be responsible for the overall

administration of the Centre as detailed in Appendix I.

The Institute shall be governed by a Board that shall

consist of the following

(i)

Chairman: the Rector of the University or his delegate;

(ii)

Vice-Chairman: the Director of the Institute;

(iii) a person appointed by the Council of the University;

(iv)

a person appointed by the Senate of the University;

(v)

the Co-ordinators of the Divisions;

(vi)

the Head of the Euro-Mediterranean Centre on Insular

Coastal Dynamics;

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INSTITUTE OF EARTH SYSTEMS

(vii)

not more than two representatives of the academic

staff lecturing or conducting research within the

Institute;

(viii)

not more than two representatives of the students

registered with the Institute; and

(ix)

up to four scholars of repute to be recommended by the

Board and approved by Senate.

The Registrar or his delegate shall act as Secretary to the

All members of the Board, other than those appointed ex

officio, the two representatives of the academic staff and the two

representatives of the students shall be appointed for a period of

one year, renewable for up to four years. A retiring member will be

eligible for re-appointment.

The functions of the Board shall be

(a) to govern the affairs of the Institute, subject to the

provisions of this statute and of such regulations,

policies or directions as may from time to time be

approved by the Council and the Senate;

(b) to formulate the policy of the Institute, to supervise its

activities and administration, and without prejudice to

the generality of the foregoing, the Board may

(i)

approve business plans and annual estimates of

revenue and expenditure of the Institute for

consideration and approval by the Council;

(ii) with the written concurrence of the Rector enter

into agreements with third parties for funding of

the Institute or of particular activities;

(iii) publish an annual report;

(iv) enrol the Institute in associations or institutions

sharing its aims and interests;

(v) propose Regulations and Bye-Laws to the

Senate;

(vi) request staff members of the Institute to produce

reports on academic matters, including the

curricula of courses of study, qualifications for

admission to courses, examinations and

certificates of attendance or qualification, as

well as project proposals for external funding,

and scientific publications;

(vii)

recommend to the Council the creation or

abolition of academic and non-academic posts in

the Institute;

(viii) propose for approval to the Senate, Boards of

Studies and Examiners for undergraduate and

postgraduate courses.

STATUTE FOR THE

INSTITUTE OF EARTH SYSTEMS

The Institute shall have a Director, Co-ordinators and staff

as follows

(a) the Director of the Institute shall be appointed

according to the procedure for the appointment of

Directors of Institutes and Centres as approved by the

Council of the University, for a duration of one year,

with the possibility of renewal annually subject to

established performance criteria, the needs of the

Institute and the needs of the University, for a total

period not exceeding four (4) years; and;

(b) the Co-ordinators of the Divisions shall be appointed

by Council after consultation with the academic

members of the Division for a duration of one year,

with the possibility of renewal annually subject to

established performance criteria, the needs of the

Institute and the needs of the University, for a total

period not exceeding four (4) years; and

(c) the staff of the Institute shall be appointed by the

University according to usual practice.

The duties of the Vice-Chairman/Director of the Institute

shall include

(a) promoting the development and implementation of the

Institute’s curricula and research programmes;

(b) compiling and submitting to the Registrar of the

University by not later than January of each academic

year, an updated comprehensive prospectus of the

content descriptions of all current and projected study-

units offered by members of the Institute as per

guidelines established by the Programme Validation

Committee;

(c) ensuring that the study-units offered by the staff

members of the Institute are delivered in accordance

with the advertised programme of studies; the Director

of the Institute must ensure that lecturing staff under

his remit deliver all lectures, seminars, tutorials and

laboratory sessions assigned to them respectively, at

the time and venue advertised in the official timetable,

and that any deviations thereof are formally registered,

and the students duly notified in good time;

(d) delivering and implementing the strategic plan of the

Institute;

(e) administering the Institute in full consultation with the

members; monitoring and approving requests for leave

of absence of members of the Institute; the Director of

the Institute is expected to maintain records of all

leave taken by members and to pass on these records

to the Director of Human Resources Management and

Development upon request;

(f)

promoting students’ academic and personal welfare,

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providing first-line support to students with any

difficulties they may encounter during their studies

related to the activities of the Institute;

(g) monitoring the running of tests and examinations in

the Institute and ensuring that all assessment and

examination results are submitted to the Registrar’s

office as follows

•

January session - by the end of March;

•

May/June session - final year results by not later

than two working days prior to the final year

degree classification board but in any case not

later than end of July, other results as early as

possible but not later than the end of July;

•

September session - by the end of September;

(h) encouraging and facilitating co-operation with other

universities and other institutions;

(i)

chairing meetings of the Board in the absence and with

the permission of the Chairman;

(j)

ensuring and facilitating the further development and

training of academic and non-academic staff;

(k) participating at any meeting of the University

congruent with the post;

(l)

representing the Institute during official functions of

the University;

(m) compiling and submitting to the Secretary of the

University by the end of September of each academic

year, an annual report outlining the activities of the

Institute for the outgoing year, which should include,

amongst others, information that may be requested by

the Secretary: a comprehensive list of recent

publications of all members of the Institute; a synopsis

of all projects involving members of the Institute

which are wholly or partially externally funded; a list

of all conferences/seminars/meetings attended abroad

by members of the Institute during term time; and an

outline of the Institute’s collaboration with third

parties including local industry, Government or civil

society at large;

(n) compiling and submitting to the Director of Finance of

the University by not later than end of May of each

academic year budgetary estimates for the following

year including a manpower plan for the Institute, to

cover the projected teaching, research and

administration workload of the Institute, and based on

the projected workload for each Resident Academic

member of the Institute and Visiting Teaching Staff;

(o) monitoring the performance of the non-academic staff

attached to the Institute;

(p) authorising the Institute’s procurement of equipment;

ensuring that the resources assigned to the Institute -

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INSTITUTE OF EARTH SYSTEMS

whether human or other - are utilized fully and

efficiently;

(q) performing other duties which may be assigned by the

University from time to time.

The Director of the Institute moreover

(a) is to report directly to the Chairman of the Board

governing the Institute and shall collaborate with all

senior administrative officers of the University;

(b) shall normally be a Resident Academic engaged with

the University on a full-time basis for the duration of

his tenure as Director of the Institute. If the Institute is

engaged in undergraduate or postgraduate taught

programmes of study then the Director of the Institute

must be engaged with the University as a Resident

Academic on a full-time basis;

(c) should not be engaged in any other activity outside the

University which may be in conflict with, or distract

him from, his duties at the University;

(d) is expected to be present on campus or any designated

University of Malta site at least during normal office

hours from Monday to Friday throughout the year

subject to the exigencies of an academic in accordance

with the University’s practices and needs and subject

to normal leave entitlement and public holidays as

provided for at law; should his absence be necessary

and justified he must ensure that he is immediately

contactable through the secretarial staff of the

Institute;

(e) shall not give access to any information to any third

party that is not associated with the University of

Malta, about any work or data that relates to tasks

conducted at the University of Malta without the prior

approval of the University of Malta; all work carried

out within the Institute must be treated according to

Maltese data protection legislation;

(f)

is to abide with the statutes, regulations and policies of

the University of Malta, which are in force now or will

become effective in the duration of his tenure.

The duties of the coordinator shall include

(a) having regular meetings with members of the division,

at least six during an academic year;

(b) directing the academic tasks and monitoring the

curriculum development in his area in consultation

with lecturers involved in the subject area;

(c) monitoring and ensuring that the overall academic

development and the well being of the students and

dealing with cases of indiscipline that may be brought

to his attention;

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INSTITUTE OF EARTH SYSTEMS

(d) monitoring

coursework

and

assessments

in

consultation with the respective lecturers teaching that

subject area.

Co-ordinators are to report directly to the Director of the

Institute and are also bound by the provisions of article 10(c), (d),

The Institute shall have two Divisions

(a) the Division of Environmental Management and

Planning shall focus its efforts primarily, on the

following subject areas: the science and management

of earth systems; environmental planning (including

coastal

management);

integrated

resource

management; social-ecological systems; conservation

and protected area management; environmental

assessment and policy; corporate environmental

management;

hazards

assessment

and

risk

management; landscape research (including landscape

ecology and management); and environmental ethics,

all under the over-arching theme of sustainable

development;

(b) the Division of Rural Sciences and Food Systems shall

focus its efforts primarily on the following subject

areas: rural land resources; rural development; food

systems; agro-ecosystems; and landscape architecture.

The divisions may offer any other area that may be

recommended by the Board and approved by Council.

The Director of Finance of the University shall be the

Treasurer of the Institute.

There shall be an International Scientific Advisory

Committee composed of scholars of repute appointed by the Board.

STATUTE FOR THE

INSTITUTE OF EARTH SYSTEMS

APPENDIX I

COUNCIL OF EUROPE SPECIALISED CENTRE

Article 1

Establishment, objectives and functions of the Centre

1. There is hereby established under the auspices of the Council of Europe and

with the Agreement of the Government of Malta (hereinafter referred to as "The

Government"), the Euro-Mediterranean Centre on Insular Coastal Dynamics

(hereinafter referred to as "the Centre") at the Institute of Earth Systems (hereinafter

referred to as "the Institute") within the University of Malta.

2. The Centre is set up at the Institute which shall be responsible for the overall

administration of the Centre and for providing support and promotion on a European

and International basis.

3. The Government shall nominate a Permanent Correspondent relating to the

application of the Open Partial Agreement signed on 20th March, 1987 between the

Council of Europe and the Government. All official representations between the

Council of Europe and the Centre and vice-versa, are to take place through the

Permanent Correspondent.

4. The objectives of the Centre, which is a non-profit organisation created

within the framework of the above-mentioned agreement, shall include education,

training and research on marine coastal dynamics and related hazards in the

Mediterranean.

5. The Centre shall be able to raise funds for its operational needs from the

local banks and other appropriate funding agencies.

6. The main functions of the Centre shall be

(a) promotion of research and training on socio, economic and

environmental aspects of the marine and coastal environment with

emphasis on climate change and related coastal impacts;

(b) promotion of an interdisciplinary approach to integrated coastal

management.

Article 2

Governance and organisation of the Centre

7. The Institute shall provide the Centre with adequate resources to allow it to

carry out its functions. The Centre shall have

(i)

a Head of the Centre appointed by Council for a duration of one year,

with the possibility of renewal annually subject to established

performance criteria, the needs of the Centre and the needs of the

University, for a total period not exceeding four (4) years;

(ii)

administrative and research staff.

8. The overall governance of the Centre falls under the responsibility of the

Board of the Institute. The Head of the Centre is to report directly to the Director of

the Institute and shall be responsible for

(i)

the academic programme and general running of the Centre;

(ii)

the direction and supervision of the activities and administration of the

Centre;

(iii) the planning of the programme of activities of the Centre in consultation

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with the Institute’s Board and the Council of Europe;

(iv)

preparing the annual report of activities of the Centre and to submit it,

together with the programme for the following year, to the Institute’s

Board and the Council of Europe.

9. Pursuant to paragraph 1 of this agreement, the Centre shall enjoy full fiscal

exemption and any other similar facilitation which Government may wish to grant it.

Article 3

10. This Agreement may be modified by mutual accord in writing between the

Council of Europe, the Government of Malta and the University of Malta and each

party shall give full and sympathetic consideration to any request for such

modifications.