The division that seems to exist between non-academic staff at the University and lecturers came up strongly during a meeting the Prime Minister had with University of Malta staff to discuss future plans for the University and the appointment of a new rector.

This was the third meeting of the sort, none of which had the media invited to cover the event.

This meeting, held at the Sir Temi Zammit Hall was with the non-academic staff at the University of Malta. Minister Evarist Bartolo was also present during the discussion.

Many praised the Prime Minister’s initiative to meet with University personnel and described this to be a first of its kind.

A particular issue which was mentioned more than once by those present regarded the divide which seems to exist between the lecturers and the non-academic and administration staff within the corridors of the campus.

Some described this as an ‘invisible wall’ which hinders the working of the employees.

“Certain lecturers think that the administrative employees work for them, when it shouldn’t be the case, as we work for the institution.”

The public transport system chaos at the University was not left out of the discussion with one employee deeming it to be ‘disastrous’ and in a ‘horrendous state’.

“Transport system here at University just went back some 25 years.  I can never manage to come to work on time. I don’t blame people who choose not to use the public transport.”

He said it was true that a big mistake was done in the previous administration, but one could not ignore that nothing was being done to address the issue.

Replying to the employees expressed concerns, the Prime Minister Dr Joseph Muscat said it was clear there is a divide between lecturers and those that are referred to as the non-academics and the new rector has to make sure this issue is addressed.

On transport, Dr Muscat said he has been receiving a lot of complaints and is requesting those responsible to solve the issue as soon as possible.

He said that, as The Malta Independent had revealed, the Transport Minister met with the directors at Mater Dei and the University administration to come up with the best possible solution.

Education Minister Evarist Bartolo said the Government cannot interfere in internal disputes and it must be the University itself that ‘puts its house in order.’

He reminded those present that the Government dedicated a 34% capital increase in the budget allocated for the University of Malta.