In an edition devoted to capturing the atmosphere of interdisciplinarity at Tal-Qroqq, it would be a shame not to first delve into where this term – discipline – comes from.

Our contemporary meaning has its roots firmly set in several Old French and Latin terms like: discere (to learn, acquire knowledge), discipere (to grasp intellectually, analyse thoroughly), discipulus (a follower or student), and disciplina (training or self-punishment for the sake of learning). And so, what emerges from these concepts and uses is the sense that acquiring knowledge requires labour.

This fact comes as no surprise to anyone who has ever dedicated a portion of their time to academia. And it is even more apparent at the tertiary education level and beyond when educating oneself has less to do with gaining fundamental life skills and is more about reflecting on the complexity of life itself and actively playing a role in growing it.

A strong element in taking up an education, or a discipline, also comes with the realisation that other life experiences, schools of thought, and branches of learning are needed to effectively address the multifaceted struggles that life throws at us.

In Issue 47, THINK has taken the opportunity to be the mouthpiece for a number of interdisciplinary projects homegrown at the University of Malta. You will need to flip the page to see what we have put together, but know that these projects are a testament to the dedication of their researchers and proof that earning a discipline is worth the time it takes.