In a meeting with finance parliamentary secretary Tonio Fenech, David Herrera, president of the University Students Council (KSU) said that the pre-budget document would only reach its full potential if its proposals are respected and reached in all their aspects.

Mr Herrera explained that in the comprehensive report KSU put together on the Pre-Budget Document, the KSU requests that the government continues to contribute financially to the university, particularly to the infrastructural aspect.

The laboratories and facilities need constant maintenance and financial assistance is expected to successfully complete the building of a new Faculty of ICT, Mr Herrera said. KSU believes the government needs to give more importance to e-learning particularly in relation to those courses and subject areas which are not offered by the University of Malta.

Mr Herrera said that dozens of medical graduates in the last few years have opted to work abroad as they were unsatisfied with the working conditions and wages offered here. The government must provide opportunities for them to continue their specialisation and to offer attractive and social motivations for medical professionals to continue to service the Maltese community.

Mr Herrera added that the nursing-sector also needs to be addressed and that increase of stipends for newly-admitted nurses would encourage the revival of the nursing profession on the islands.

Mr Fenech showed his appreciation to the KSU for addressing issues that did not only pertain to them as a student council but to other sectors as well. He promised them that their proposals would be passed on to the MCESD.

Mr Fenech spoke about the education sector and said that 70 per cent of students graduating from secondary students are pursuing tertiary education. He said that the brain drain issue is constantly on the government’s mind. Mr Fenech said that it is important for Maltese students and graduates to experience life abroad but it is necessary that they return and contribute to Malta’s economic development.