A number of students who turned up at the University of Malta excited about applying to further their education left the university disappointed when they learnt that they had gone there for nothing.

Several students wasted their time at university because the non-academic staff were following industrial action ordered by the Union Haddiema Maghqudin due to an industrial dispute it has with the university management.

Havoc reigned on campus as the students did not know what was going to happen and whether they should take the risk and leave or take an even bigger risk of wasting their time, and stay. Their concern was a fear that they could miss their opportunity to file their applications for courses at university.

In a statement released later yesterday morning, the University of Malta said that owing to the industrial action, registrations for all courses were not going to be held. However, students were left in the dark.

The university said information regarding alternative arrangements would be communicated through the media and the university’s website (www.um.edu.mt).

The university assured all those who wanted to register for courses, that everyone would have the opportunity to register in time.

Those prospective students, who for some reason would be unable to register in person, may ask someone else to do so in their stead provided that all necessary documentation was presented.

Meanwhile, in a statement, the UHM Public Entities Section said it was up in arms against changes to the parking system at the university which it said reduced access to technical, administrative and industrial workers at the university, to the advantage of the academics.

The second bone of contention is the delay on the part of the university to sign a new collective agreement.

The union said administrative employees have been directed not to do any work related to university admission, and all employees are not to answer the telephone or emails.