With over 4,000 students joining the University of Malta community, as it opened its door to a new academic year, University Rector Alfred J. Vella said that the university and its students do not afford to lose another year like last year.

“We’ve turned a corner and the situation has definitely changed for the better thanks to most of us being vaccinated. This time around, there is no reason why fear should be allowed to continue to wreak havoc with our lives and disrupt progress in your education,” Vella said. 

Over 2,670 students will be following undergraduate courses, while over 1,350 students will be reading for postgraduate degrees. 

Addressing attendants on Monday at Sir Temi Zammit Hall as well as all those following remotely via a live stream of the event, Vella highlighted that despite the positive progress in terms of the pandemic, all members who form part of the UoM community need to remain vigilant and cautious on and off campus.

“The worst effects of the Covid-19 pandemic as we’ve experienced them during this one year and a half will pass and will very likely soon be forgotten,” Vella said.

Meanwhile, Rector Vella acknowledged the fact that the pandemic might have caused psychological damaged. He reminded students that one can seek help from group counsellors and professionals found at the UoM Health and Wellness Centre if needed.

“University life is normally stressful in the best of times but, in this particular period, the situation may be compounded by other factors and so do not fight any personal battles alone. Seek help”, Vella said.

Vella has been working within the education sector for 50 years and this year is his sixth year as Rector of UoM.

In his welcoming speech, Vella expressed his hope saying, “now that we’re back on campus, we will be able to help you grow intellectually and develop into mature people, endowed with knowledge and skills, and filled with a genuine sense of ethics and interest in the needs of others willing to the challenges and opportunities that will present themselves.”

Reflecting on the impact the Covid-19 pandemic has had on people and students, Vella said that he worries about the young in society, especially the youngest, who are old enough to realise that their universe has been impacted by a sinister invisible presence that has forced them out of their schools, their playing grounds and their grandparents’ doting arms.

“For a very long while, the virus seemed unbeatable: one wave surging after another shattered our hopes for a turning point in the pandemic and gave us the impression that there was no going back to life as we knew it.

With more than 90% of the local population vaccinated and the number of new infections counting below 20 per day, our health authorities remain wary and continue to enforce their rigid precautions of (diminishing) social distancing, alcohol sterilization and control of congregation sizes. Meanwhile other countries (e.g. Norway) have very recently abolished all safety measures and we now wait, with bated breath, to see what will happen next in these countries,” Vella said.

He added that given that the virus has been much less harsh on the young (apparently for reasons yet unknown), probably very few of you would have suffered the physical pain and terrible effects of the infection. However, many if not all of you would likely have experienced the anxiety and fear of catching the disease, the shock of near or actual loss of loved ones, the deprivation, forced isolation and separation from close family and friends due to the imposed measures.

“These effects must have affected you negatively because as social animals, we need to be and do things together. Hence it is now time to reset and move on, albeit with caution but also with determination because we want our lives back,” Vella said.

He reiterated his point that the virus is still around and managing to find a home in the lungs of those who, perhaps, may have lowered their guard and made it easier for it to gain a foothold.  

“Which is why we have to continue to be cautious, to leave those masks on, to apply alcohol to hands as necessary and to moderate the way we interact physically. So yes, the message is forward with determination and caution,” Vella said.

He concluded by encouraging students and not feel disheartened by momentary failings. Vella also encouraged students to seek the advice and support they need from lecturers and other staff members, saying that students will not be left alone but will be supported to manage the issue.