No elections were held with regard to the appointment of the Advisory and Vigilance Board, to which Owen Teuma, Monique Camilleri, and Daisy Grima were duly appointed. 

The New Executive Team:

• Estelle Scicluna – President
• Danica Sultana – Vice-President
• Eric Grech – Administration Secretary
• Matthias Mercieca – Information Secretary
• Christine Sultana – Events Officer
• Claire Gauci – Social Media Officer
• Matthias Refalo – MCAST Officer
• Joseph Mario Grech – Financial Officer
• Elena Curmi – Marketing Officer
• Presley Clark – International Officer
• Matthew Grech – Education Officer
• Joseph Mercieca – Social Policy Officer
• Nathalia Borg – Public Relations Officer

My experience with GUG is definitely something which I will carry with me throughout my life. I congratulate the new members who will be part of GUG for the first time. Do everything possible to give a voice to Gozitan students.

 Owen Teuma, former president

Since the start of my journey at GUG, in August 2019, I always felt a great responsibility to help other Gozitan students in their scholastic journey in Malta. To be able to do this was of great satisfaction to me. After two years as Financial Officer followed by another year as Vice President, I felt ready to take on the role of President of this organisation that is so very close to my heart and the values I strive for.

In the past years I have always looked up to the former Presidents that I worked with, Renée Formosa, Mark Farrugia, and Owen Teuma. Looking back at the valuable work they did and their leadership, I feel like I have big shoes to fill. However, I am confident that together with this year’s other members of the executive committee, I will keep working hard to help in all matters concerning Gozitan students in Malta.

Estelle Scicluna, president for 2022\23

On behalf of The Third Eye, we wish the new executive the best of luck

The post Estelle Scicluna to lead GUG 2022\23 appeared first on The Third Eye.

Press Release by GUG

A debate regarding the current hot topic of the Malta-Gozo tunnel project took place at Oratorju Don Bosco, Victoria Gozo, organized by Wirt Għawdex. The GUG organisation was invited, along with various other groups which are of great influence over the Gozitan society.

During the debate, GUG declared that its main priority is to facilitate the lives of Gozitan students studying in Malta and to represent them and their ideas. The organization admitted that one of the main weekly (and daily) concerns for Gozitan students is the abysmal ferry waiting time. Despite this, GUG said that the majority of Gozitan students who travel both weekly and daily to Malta are not in favour of the proposed tunnel project, in fear of what it might cause to the quite island we so proudly call home. The organization said that it believes that an additional fourth ferry and a fast ferry service would be an ideal solution in facilitating the commuting between the two islands while preserving Gozo’s natural aspect for the time being.

Such a statement was applauded by the majority of the present listeners, who made their opinion clear about the project, on several occasions during the debate. The GUG organization was also criticised by several present debaters, arguing that the organization had a different opinion a few years ago about the said project.

In regards to this, GUG would like to state that as an organization we have always been in favour of a link between the two islands. It is however, important to note that as an organization who represents students, we must also voice their opinions. A survey conducted last year showed us that many favoured the tunnel as it was the only idea of connectivity which was being thrown about. Nowadays, due to new information emerging, this is no longer the case. Thus, as the ideas of our fellow students change, so too must ours.

The post “Majority of Gozitan Students Against Tunnel” | GUG appeared first on The Third Eye.

This is the GUG‘s rundown of the STUDENT-RELATED initiatives from the 2019 Budget, Maltese and Gozitan alike.

Stipend Increase + Free Public Transport

An increase in students’ stipends is going to benefit all students. This will help cover the expenses that students have in pursuing their education. From next year, 14 and 15 year olds along with full-time students above 20 years old, will enjoy a free public transport. So, students who commute by bus will save more money in this regard. That said, however, ideally the means of public transport would be improved as well to be made more accessible and reliable.

Free Exams

Another major announcement was that MATSEC and SEC exams are to be free, as of next year. This is a major step ahead towards the improvement of the education sector in the Maltese islands. The MATSEC and SEC exams will no longer be a financial toll for some students and their families who find it difficult to pay for these exams.

Increase in Gozitan Students’ Grant

As a Gozitan student organization, GUG believes that an increase in the subsidy given to Gozitan students residing in Malta help to cover some of the expenses incurred, particularly that of accommodation. This is possible under certain conditions. The GUG organization wished to also see more about the Gozo University Campus budget, since it has been a while that a refurbishment was mentioned. If this campus is to be used, the environment needs to be an adequate and suitable one.

The GUG organization thinks that the 2019 Budget has improved the education sector along with the student’s quality of living. Investing in the student’s well-being will also benefit the state in the near future. 

Press Release by GUG 

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