MALTA, 2011, one of a series of 20 autobuses shows a Bedford QL/Sammut BUS364 bus for private hire and behind it St. Aloysius College in Birkirkara

The Jesuits original Collegium Melitense in 1592 paved the way for the University of Malta, established when the Jesuits were expelled from Malta by Grand Master Pinto. When the Jesuits returned to Malta in 1868, Jesuits from Sicily taught at the seminary in Gozo, and Jesuits from England established St. Ignatius College in St. Julian's. On October 8, 1907 at the request of Pope Pius X, they founded St. Aloysius College in Birkirkara with a mere 139 students. Today the student population is over 1000. More

Collegium Melitense, Valletta

 
MALTA, 1992, the 4th centenary of the university, Scott 809-810

The University of Malta traces its origins to the founding by the Society of Jesus of the Collegium Melitense on 12 November 1592. This college was run by the Jesuits at Valletta for non-Jesuit students. In 1578, Pope Gregory XIII empowered the Jesuits to confer the degrees of Magister Philosophiae and Doctor Divinitatis. Other subjects, however, such as grammar and the humanities were also taught. After the expulsion of the Jesuit Order from Malta in 1768 by Grand Master Pinto, the grand master appropriated all the revenue accruing from its property and established a "Pubblica Università di Studi Generali." The decree constituting the university was signed by Pinto on the 22nd November 1769. The lower value stamp shows the facade of the old building at Valletta, the higher shows the newer buildings at Tal-Qroqq, Msida.

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