Julian's Pathfinder Foundation

04/10/2026

Fast forward over summer and we were so happy to welcome back our InventaLanders for the 2026/27 programme. And what a kickoff! We were so lucky to be hosted by the Malta National Aquarium for a session called ‘National Aquarium: Behind the Scenes’. 🐡🐠🐟

Our guide, Andrea, was fantastic at telling us so many interesting facts about the sea and the creatures living in it. 🐙🦀🐟 Of course we learnt so much about the different fish housed at the aquarium and the relationship between them. He also helped us realise how with our small actions and habits we can make a difference in saving the sea and the creatures living in it. 🌊🐬Andrea also showed us through the backstage of the aquarium, the spaces where food is prepared, the water is tested 🧪, the sick fish are quarantined and taken care of, where the water is treated, …… sooooo much goes on in these behind the scene spaces to make sure that the tanks and the fish are always in their best condition! It was also lovely to hear of success stories and initiatives by the National Aquarium to help in sustaining our seas, the ecosystem and creatures in the sea and their collaboration with Aquariums in other countries.

We are so grateful to the National Aquarium for this unique opportunity! A special mention of Andrea, our guide, who does this job with such great knowledge, charisma and enthusiasm.

Big thanks to Ms Erika Micallef for directing this programme and coordinating these great sessions and making sure our InventaLanders get the best out of these opportunities ❤️

Thanks also to BOV for always supporting the foundation’s initiatives 🙏



📸 Erika

02/10/2026

What a fantastic start to this year’s series of Julian’s Tech Talks 2026-27! We were honoured to have Prof. Jean Calleja Agius presenting the session “Love in a Lab - Decoding the Biology of Conception”. 🧬🔬

After outlining the basics of human embryology Prof Calleja Agius went on to talk about the different options which are available to conceive using medically assisted technology, including in vitro fertilization. It was a very interesting session which also highlighted the emotional and ethical aspects that surround this topic. 🧑‍🧑‍🧒😇

Thank you Prof Calleja Agius for such a great Tech Talk! .. the level of engagement of the young participants was proof of how they enjoyed it! … we finally had to bring the session to an end!

Big thank you also to BOV for constantly supporting the Foundation and the University of Malta for hosting us and enabling this series of talks throughout these years.

20/09/2026

We're happy to share that the foundation shall again this year be offering this opportunity... If you have a son or daughter who already writes code and who finds computer science problems exciting, this club was designed for them! .... We are also adding a second, more advanced, strand for students who want to push harder. Promising candidates could also be invited to join this advanced group, whose eventual target is to participate in the International Olympiad in Informatics, first held in Bulgaria in 1989 and now one of the five international science olympiads.
Please apply by filling in this form [link https://forms.gle/evjfN1sG4BBWaiPS6]

Thanks to Prof Christian Colombo for all his help in coordinating these programmes, fifteen02.com for providing pro bono expert tuition to our advanced group and Malta Digital Innovation Authority for hosting these sessions.

https://x2.timesofmalta.com/20260920/child/mastering-the-science-and-art-of-problem-solving/

What do a secret message, seven bridges and a shortcut have in common? These students will give you the answer.

07/09/2026

Celebrating our Forever Young participants!

After four packed days of learning, questioning, teamwork and big ideas, each of our 22 participants received their certificate at the close of Julian’s Tech Start-up Challenge 2026 – Forever Young.

But the certificate represents much more than completing the programme. Each participant contributed their own ideas and strengths, worked as part of a team, challenged themselves and ultimately stood up in front of an audience to present their vision for the future.

Well done to all 22 of you !!

06/09/2026

It is not easy to find the words that sum up all the emotions of the four day journey of the Camp. But our hearts are full watching these bright minds shine in a space that gave them the challenges they often yearn for. But also watching them forging new friendships and feeling accepted. We are proud of each and every one of you for pushing yourselves outside your comfort zone while respecting each other. We wish you the best of luck in your future. Thank you!

Some other ‘thank you’s from the heart...

To the parents and schools of the participants for believing in and supporting JPF.
To our programme directors, Prof Pierre Schembri-Wismayer and Prof Godfrey Grech for doing an amazing job before, during and after the Camp.
To the speakers ... you might not realise what you managed to do during these four days! Thank you to each and every one of you!
To our friends, old and new, who voluntarily provided entertainment in the evenings ...it was the sweetest touch for these children to bond.
To our volunteers – you were there in the background all the time and made it happen, making sure everyone was well - we appreciate each and every one of you!
To our board of directors – thank you for your humanity, support and guidance... and every little or big discussion to come to hopefully the right decisions!
To our moderator Mark Azzopardi and panelists – your contribution mirrors the effort put by all into the final presentations
As always Mount St Joseph Retreat Center took care of all our needs before and throughout the camp, and for the final session. Special thanks goes to Martha Fitz.

We thank our partners who have shown support and made all this possible. Special thanks to BOV who have been supporting us since the early days when the Foundation was being set up and throughout these five years ... thanks for believing in our cause. We are also thankful to University of Malta, EY Malta, GO, Directorate for STEM and VET Programmes, JUGS Malta and Kuluri.

Lastly to our dearest Julian ... thank you for having lived to inspire all this ⭐️💛❤️❤️❤️❤️

06/09/2026

But we cannot speak about this year’s Camp without turning the spotlights to the ones who made it happen big time. They have been working hard as a wonderful team from the moment that the theme was defined … and brought together a programme and a line up of speakers that ensured a wealth of knowledge for the participants but that also triggered their creativity and critical thinking skills 🧐 Their own contributions were outstanding, but so was their mentoring throughout the whole four-day journey!!

We can never thank you enough Prof Pierre Schembri-Wismayer and Prof Godfrey Grech! We know you both gave your 200% on this but mostly your heart was there ...You have inspired these beautiful minds in so many ways! 🚀⭐️

06/09/2026

🎓 Day 4 of Forever Young - The final day!

After four days of learning, questioning and developing their ideas, it was time to bring everything together.

The morning was spent mostly with Pia Zammit who focused on the participants' presentation skills, as our six teams prepared for their biggest challenge yet: presenting a compelling case, set in 2050, to the United Nations on the longevity of human life.

Then came the moment they had been working towards. In front of a panel moderated by Mark Azzopardi, and an audience of over 100 people, each team took to the stage to present their ideas, arguments and vision for a future where we could live longer, healthier lives.

The panel did an extraordinary job in immersing themselves in the theme and challenging and evaluating the ideas presented 🚀💫🪐 .. and the participants made us very proud answering the questions raised. Thanks goes to Prof Jean Calleja Agius (University of Malta), Farrugia (BOV), Dr Marco Grech (UM), Grech (BOV), Myburgh (EY Malta), Lucienne Vassallo ( Care - GO) who were on the panel and Mark Azzopardi who moderated the session. We really appreciated you all doing this!

We are also grateful to Prof. Noellie Brockdorff, Pro-Rector People, Quality & Communications at the University of Malta, who was also present at the final presentations and addressed those present.

Four intense days came to a close with the presentation of certificates, followed by a well-deserved reception, a chance to celebrate everything our participants had achieved together.

A fantastic end to Forever Young 2026... and hopefully just the beginning for these brilliant young minds. ❤️

04/09/2026

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible volunteers, Amelie Calleja, Luke Camilleri, Haydn Cassar, Shanel Cassar, Kristine Farrugia Wismayer, Matthew Galea, Daniel Grech, Matthew Mallia, Matthew Muscat, Claire Scicluna, Charles Spiteri, Georgi Timcenko, Erika Micallef and Malcolm Ross, for giving their time, energy and enthusiasm to help make Forever Young possible. ❤️

And a sincere thank you to all our sponsors and supporters, whose continued support enables Julian’s Pathfinder Foundation to create opportunities like this for young people.

04/09/2026

🧬 Day 3 of Forever Young – from big questions to big ideas!

Yesterday brought another full day of learning, discussion and teamwork as our participants moved closer to developing their final proposals.

The day explored some of the wider implications of longevity with Dr Gordon Cordina, Prof Marvin Formosa and Will Davies: Would living to 150 actually make us better off? How do we add life to those extra years? Participants also had the unique opportunity to listen to and discuss with the inspiring keynote speaker Philippe Gerwill, looking into how responsible innovation can help create healthier futures. They also explored the socio-economic and demographic implications of longer lives, before putting their thinking to the test in their preliminary presentations.

More guided group work followed as the six teams refined their ideas, questioned their assumptions and prepared to make their case.

And after another intense day, it was time to switch gears! Impro sketches with Constandache brought plenty of laughs and a fun end to Day 3.

Thank you once again to Prof Pierre Schembri-Wismayer and Prof Godfrey Grech for planning yet another exceptional day!

Today is the final day. The teams are now getting ready for their final presentations, where their challenge is to present a compelling case to the United Nations on the longevity of human life.

Four days of questioning, researching and creating all come down to this.

Good luck to all six teams!

03/09/2026

🎨 Meet the faces of Forever Young!
22 participants, 22 unique personalities, captured through the artistic interpretation of Claire Scicluna.

A brilliant group of young minds and we love seeing each of them brought to life through Claire’s art.