Questions on whether university exams will be held physically or online will be answered “well before” the exams arrive and the semester starts, University of Malta rector Alfred J. Vella has told The Malta Independent.

Vella said the university is still in discussions with the health authorities on the matter as it needs expert medical advice on whether or not to shift examinations and lectures online.

The university, he said, is currently engaged in discussions with the Superintendence of the Public Health.

A number of students’ organisations, including the University Students Council (KSU) have called on the university to hold online examinations in view of the current spike in Covid-19 cases.

They complained that, in the case of physical exams, students who will be in quarantine during the January examination period have been told that they would need to sit for their exam in September. KSU said the Office of the Registrar had confirmed that having a large number of students sit for an exam as a first sit in September is not logistically possible.

Speaking to the Malta Independent, a pregnant student attending lectures at the University of Malta has expressed her frustration at how the university is handling essential decisions concerning the covid situation.

“I don’t want to put unnecessary pressure on myself, for the sake of my unborn child” she said.

She added as exams are approaching, she should be focusing on her exams, not worrying about her safety.

When contacted by this newsroom, the rector said decisions must be based on what the health experts said. “I do not take decisions based on what I think the health risks are, I need expert advice and I am still in talks with them.”

The Rector said, however, that not all examinations can be held online. He said that, when examiners need to test how much the students remember, examinations cannot be held online, which is effectively an ‘open book’ method. On the contrary, should the examiner seek to test the application of study material, then an open book examination (online) may be considered.

Vella reiterated that discussions are ongoing, adding that the some exams may be held online while others would be held physically, as has happened in the past.

The Malta Independent reached out to the Ministry for Health on the matter but was directed to the Education Ministry, which has the “final say.” Questions have now been sent to the Ministry for Education.