Kunsill Studenti Universitarji (KSU) have expressed their disappointment in recent legislation changes which effect the further and higher education sector in Malta.
"This Legal Notice will decrease the requirements for an educational institution to receive the status of a University. The main concern of KSU is the reason behind such changes in Subsidiary Legislation 327.433; made just three days after the signing of the Heads of Agreement with the 'American University of Malta', leading to a situation where attention is being diverted from the implications of such amendments," a KSU statement read.
This newsroom brought the legislation changes to light in an article last Sunday.
"This also raises questions on whether the lowering of requirements is due to the fact that the proposed University is not of an adequate education level or is just an economical investment. The Government stated that this proposal was made to continue attracting pluralism in tertiary education. Although KSU believes that attracting new educational investment, even from the private sector, is very positive, this should not be done in a way that reduces the standard of the institutions themselves, but rather should be in an effort to ensure that the islands retain their reputation for excellence in further and higher education".
"The amended legislation can lead to a situation where lecturers may not be involved in research activity, and yet are giving research training. KSU believes that such changes would be most detrimental to the University of Malta, as the amendments will undermine the work done by the mentioned institution during the past years, to reach the level of a research centre, even though with limited resources".
"An article stating that the NCFHE should allow an accredited higher educational institute to be considered on the basis of national interest and fulfilment of national policies was added. This calls for the Commission to ensure it remains an autonomous entity and that there is no Government interference when deciding what constitutes such 'national interest'".
"KSU is also disappointed that once again the Ministry for Education and Employment, has kept the student body, the main stakeholder in the education sector, in the dark on such a major reform in the quality of further and higher education institutions around Malta, even though for the past years, KSU members have been discussing issues regarding the Education Act with the relevant authorities".
"KSU believes that the Government's agenda should not be concerned with the quantity of institutions present, but rather at the quality of the Universities created. KSU urges the Government to reconsider the amendments being proposed and to take a step back and discuss with the present educational stakeholders".