Times of Malta photo taken on 13th December 2024 at the Palace

Times of Malta announces:

Prof. Charles Scerri was appointed to the National Order of Merit during the Republic Day award ceremony on Friday. 

President Myriam Spiteri Debono awarded the recipients of Malta’s highest honour at a ceremony held at the Presidential Palace in Valletta. 

‘The honours are announced and presented each year on Republic Day to people who “distinguish themselves in different fields of endeavour”. Recipients can be appointed to one of four grades of the National Order of Merit, the republic’s highest form of recognition.

This year, two people were made Officers of the order and seven were appointed Members. 

Appointments are made following proposals by the Nominations Committee set up in accordance with the Ġieħ ir-Repubblika Act, and on the advice of the Prime Minister to the President.’ 

Republic Day honours 2024

Officer of the National Order of Merit – Prof. Charles Scerri

A neuroscientist and advocate for dementia care. Scerri obtained his doctorate at the University of Dundee and returned to Malta in 2004. 

He co-founded the Malta Dementia Society and played a major role in raising awareness about the condition and care for dementia patients. 

He chaired Malta’s National Dementia Strategy Group, authored the first national dementia strategy and has contributed to many international organisations focused on the conditions. 

Scerri lecturers in neuropharmacology and dementia studies at the University of Malta and has published extensively. He sits on the scientific advisory board of the EU Joint Programme in Neurodegenerative Disease Research and previously served as Vice-Chair of Alzheimer Europe. 

(Times of Malta)