Discussions are underway with the Malta Union of Teachers after on a collective agreement for Junior College lecturers which led to an industrial dispute.

"The collective agreement has to be sustainable; it has to be one with added value benefitting the lecturer himself and the material the student will receive," said Grima.

"The discussions are underway, and of course, there are two sides that have sat around the table; I feel persuaded that with the goodwill of everyone together with collaboration and logical and common sense, we come to a solution in a short time," he added.

The MUT had ordered industrial action after the two sides had failed to come to terms.

The strike took place for two hours on Monday, 24 January, continued by a full day on the 25.

The union had also accused the University of prioritising other agreements instead of respecting its employed lecturers at the Junior College.

Later the University of Malta had also issued a statement.

"The MUT is giving the impression that the UM is being intransigent in its dealings when this is a far cry from the truth. Over the last few months, the University has been engaged in discussions with the MUT in a bid to successfully conclude the Collective Agreement. UM strongly believes that it has tabled an attractive financial proposal that is consistent with its pay structures and reflects relativity across the institution. This same principle was adhered to in all previous collective agreements that were successfully negotiated with the MUT for Junior College lecturers," the statement read.