The American University of Malta has accused Kevin Cassar of racism against its main investor, saying that articles which the opinionist has written are riddled with factual inaccuracies and are only intended to “harm the reputation of the institution.”

In a long press statement on Thursday, AUM referred to a series of articles that  were  published,  particularly  opinion  articles,  which  include  a  number  of, as it describes, “unfounded  and  malicious  understandings,  conjectures,  inaccuracies  and  false statements which are solely and specifically intended to harm the reputation of the institution.”

“The said articles, particularly the recent opinion article written by Kevin Cassar are intended to give a false image of how the American University of Malta is operating," the university said.

Referring to the said opinion articles, AUM said that statements such as “There is No University. It is barely a classroom”, and that “there are no modern teaching and learning tools available at AUM” are unfounded and unsubstantiated comments that only intend to harm the reputation of the institution itself and of the investors behind such institution, who enjoy a great reputation in across the globe.

“As a matter of fact, the American University of Malta educational premises consists of several, classrooms and laboratories, together with a state-of-the-art library fully equipped with co-working facilities and digital equipment.  All classrooms are equipped with modern technology, which could most definitely be construed as being much better than the average standards which are currently present on the island.”

It also said that the mentioning that the weighting of exams is not in line with internationally recognised standards in the said opinion article is not factual but that to the contrary, all undergraduate and graduate programmes offered by the American University of Malta are accredited by the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority in terms of the laws of Malta and of the European Union.

“This therefore necessitates that all programmes offered by the American University of Malta are not only recognised locally but also across all European Union member states."

Referring to the articles, the AUM said that an ever-present theme relates to the earmarked Second Campus Building at Smart City. It added that in the most recent agreement signed with the Government of Malta, the American University of Malta renounced to the rights which it had originally acquired on one of the designated lands in Cospicua and cumulatively with this, also decided to renounce to the originally earmarked land in Zonqor Point in favour of the Government.

This change was agreed upon by the AUM Management out of their own will, following concerns that were raised by the local public at large. Subsequent to this, it was agreed that this transfer would be done in exchange to a specified land within the Smart City Project in Kalkara, the university said. 

In Smart City, the American University of Malta said that it intends to set up another educational facility with the ultimate intent of hosting local and international students, who are reading for educational programmes which the University offers. 

“Reference  must  also  be  made  to  the  fact  that  the  entity  is contractually bound to the Government of Malta to specifically use the said premises solely and specifically for educational purposes,” the AUM said.

“It is on this basis therefore that the American University of Malta categorically refutes any baseless allegations which suggest otherwise," it continued.

Furthermore, the American University Malta notes that in the mentioned "defamatory articles", the writers make reference to an audit report which was published by the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority.

Primarily, the mentioned report is an External Quality Assurance Programmes Audit report, and not a report about the Institution as a whole, the university noted.

“Once again, writers such as Kevin Cassar have opted to extrapolate quotes from this report to give the wrong impression, with the ultimate aim of pushing their own personal agenda,” the AUM said.

The university noted that under all sections mentioned in this audit report, multiple good practices were identified. It continued to add that such quality assurance reports  will always include recommendations, and that the very basis of such audits is precisely to assist and catalyse the improvement of local educational institutions duly licensed by the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority.

The American University of Malta further said that targets relating to student numbers over a four-year time span are expected only after the project is fully completed.

“Currently, only 5% of the project is completed. On this matter, articles published on the media are also not factual. The University is proud to note that during this semester, a significant increase of more than 50% in student numbers was registered over the previous student numbers enrolled at the University.”

Since  the  project  was  announced,  more  than  €50  million  in  direct  foreign investment was poured into the local economy owing to AUM, the university said.

The institution said that the overall project implementation, suffered major delays due to the fact that permits were stalled. This is a direct result of all those individuals who consistently seek to oppose the project due to what they called “their blatant agenda.”

“By means of the present communication, the American University of Malta also highlights that it has, time and time again, been subject to racial discrimination, due to the fact that the investor is of Arab origin. For instance, the opinion article presented by Kevin Cassar reeks of racism and hate towards the Arab investor,” the university added.

It continued by saying that noted that other private educational institutions do not face the same scrutiny by the press or by opinionists as much as the American University of Malta. 

“Notwithstanding this, the AUM has the local community’s full support – due to its constant direct and indirect contribution to the community adjacent to the AUM," it said.

The University noted that it has ‘proudly’ supported community NGOs, Sports Clubs, and non-profit organisations throughout the years, apart from the significant infrastructural contribution in the South-Eastern Region.

“The American University of Malta feels that its efforts to enrol new students are also hindered due to such articles,” the university said.

It continued by saying that this is causing the University to register less student numbers than originally planned. Nevertheless, the percentage of Non-EU students at the American University of Malta is far higher than any other University in the country.

However it noted that such students contribute directly and indirectly to Malta’s economic growth.

“It is a shame that individuals like Kevin Cassar, who is a former political candidate, are using the American University of Malta to try and score political mileage by illegal means by writing articles that reek of racism, that are full of lies and false information, which  lack  the  minimum  level  of  objectivity  and  the  standards  of  professional journalism.”

AUM said that these instances are very evident since these individuals choose to continue to publish false rumours about the American University of Malta, rather than any other institution.

The  American  University  of  Malta  said  that  all  allegations  mentioned  are unfounded and untrue, such that all allegations were never proven.

In conclusion, Sadeen Education said that it is willing to take up all the necessary and opportune judicial proceedings before the Courts of Justice in order to put all such allegations to rest.