The government needs to communicate its willingness to invest in students through its actions, not just through words, a collective of student associations said in a statement on Tuesday.
The Malta Law Students' Association (GħSL), on behalf of a number of other associations, said that the first step the government needs to make is to send a clear message in the upcoming budget and ensure that the University of Malta is not treated "like a mere business, but rather as the key to Malta's future".
The student collective's statement was made in reaction to comments made by Finance Minister Clyde Caruana, who remarked that the UoM should "pull up their socks and roll up their sleeves and generate income". GħSL said that the student body has joined a chorus of voices in expressing concerns regarding the suggested way forward for dealing with the University's annual deficit.
The student body said that their concern stems from the present attitude which they commented is not only evident through the way in which the UoM is spoken about, but also in the monetary consideration that it is given. They continued that upon reviewing past budgets, "It has been noted that although government spending on the University has nominally increased, it has certainly not kept up with the rising costs necessary for guaranteeing the institution's continued ability to provide a quality education to the island's population and visiting students." This has since given rise to an exponentially increasing deficit, GħSL said.
With that said, GħSL continued that by contrast, the student body's firm belief is that revenue generation should not be the main objective of the UoM, since its primary purpose "lies in providing Malta with the workers, professionals, and leaders of tomorrow".
The student body commented that opportunities, careers, and a fulfilling life can only be created by investing in what was termed by President Emeritus George Vella as "Malta's singular real resource; human resource". They continued that if Malta's present depends on its human resources, then investment in Malta's future means investing in its youth.
"As students, we ask for no special treatment compared to our predecessors... Just a well-equipped university and a stipend to help us through our full-time studies. Indeed an investment in students now will only reap rewards for the country hereafter."
The students concluded by saying that they value education, but that education needs more than ideals to survive. They continued that education warrants a serious and sustained investment as it benefits society as a whole. "In lieu of this, Malta's sole university only risks further decay," they remarked.
The statement was issued on behalf of the following entities: ASCS - Association of Students of Commercial Studies, BetaPsi, CSA - Criminology Students' Association, DESA - Department of English Students Association, ESA - Earth System Association ESO - European Studies Organisation, GUG - Grupp Universitarji Għawdxin, GħSL - Għaqda Studenti tal-Ligi, GħMU - Għaqda tal-Malti Università, ICTSA - Information Communication Technology Students, JEF - Young European Federalists, JCA - Junior Chamber of Advocates, SĦS - Studenti Ħarsien Soċjali, MHSA - Malta Health Students' Association, MMSA - Malta Medical Students Association, MKSA - Media and Knowledge Sciences Association, MBSA - Malta Biochemistry Students' Association, PACTS - Pharmacology and Clinical Therapeutics Students' Society, Pulse, Scubed - Science Students' Society, SACES - Society of Architecture and Civil Engineering Students, UM Rowing - University of Malta Rowing Club