In what was described as a “historic moment”, the Lands Authority has transferred land, including the land on which university properties are built, to the University of Malta to add on as assets.

Marking 250 years since Grandmaster Pinto created the University from the Maltese college which was run by the Jesuits, as reminisced by University Rector Alfred Vella, this was something that had never happened before since the time (except when the Government took land rather than granted).

Parliamentary Secretary for Planning and the Property Market Chris Agius explained that these lands included Junior College, the Valleta Campus, Gozo Campus, and the Marsaxlokk Institute for Sustainable Energy.

“This shows that the Government believes that education is the key to a better future, social mobility, and to prepare our children for the challenges they will face in life”

This transfer of lands, he said, will allow for it to continue fulfilling its function and preparing young Maltese people for the employment sector

Also speaking at the press conference before the signing, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat noted tht this was the largest capital investment into the University of Malta, worth millions and meant to strengthen the University asset base.

“These give solidity to the university to be able to go into investments and projects that it couldn’t go into before.”

The decision, agreed on by the Cabinet, is aimed at giving the university standalone capabilities – described by Muscat, as a nod to Vella, as a ways of thinking outside the box and keep moving forward.

Muscat also pointed out that whilst in America they celebrated a millionaire paying off the student debts of a class of graduates, here the Government paid it off every year – throughout more than one administrations.

The Memomrandum of Understanding was signed by Alfred Vella and Lands Authority CEO James Piscopo.