Dr. Joseph Muscat graduated with honors from the University of Malta in Public Policy and later as Master of European Studies. In 2007, he attained a Doctorate of Philosophy in Management Research from the University of Bristol (UK). From 1992 to 1997 he was a journalist and eventually Assistant Head of News with a national private radio station. He was elected member to the National Executive of the Partit Laburista at the age of 21 and later nominated as Education Secretary of the Party. He successfully contested the first European Parliamentary elections in Malta in 2004. In 2006, he was the recipient of the Outstanding Young Person of the Year Award. In June 2008, he was elected as the leader of the Partit Laburista. Dr. Muscat took office as Prime Minister of Malta on 11 March 2013.