The University of Malta Academic Staff Association has considered the changes envisaged in LN150 of 2015 and the evolving debate on pluralism in higher education in Malta and said it has strong reservations regarding the introduction of the proviso of ‘national interest’, in article 9(e) of LN150 of 2015. UMASA calls for the removal of article 9(e).
The changes have already come under fire from the Malta Union of Teachers, as they are seen to be lowering the standards of tertiary education.
One of the main concerns of UMASA, as a professional association of academics, is that research time at the University of Malta be fully safeguarded in the development of detailed rules that govern higher education in Malta.
In a statement, UMASA said the University of Malta has a national obligation to continue to offer programmes of study and areas of researchthat are not necessarily commercially attractive but nonetheless must continue to form part of the University of Malta’s extensive portfolio, proud heritage and international reputation. Any evolving policy on pluralism in education must respect the special brief of the University of Malta towards local communities and local community service.