Here’s what Kris Bajada had to say: 

What motivated you to run for the position of KSU Social Policy & Education Commissioner, and what do you hope to achieve in this role? 

I decided to run for the position of KSU Social Policy & Education Commissioner because I truly believe that I have great experience in the area of policy, being quite an active student for several years both on campus and off campus. While also having a great ability to bring organisations together on common resolutions surely makes me a strong candidate for the position at hand.  

Within the roles I have occupied I have always promoted collaboration between different student organisations for us to achieve a concrete goal and I will surely continue with this endeavour if I get elected as Commissioner. I plan on addressing a wide range of issues, to be a strong voice for all students and organisations and to strengthen the bond between KSU and the student organisations and student representatives. Henceforth, I want to foster a sense of community within the commission and through this unity, I strongly believe that the commission can be the engine that drives change not only at a university level but also at a national level.  

I strongly believe that together we can be the change! 

Furthermore, Bajada mentioned how his greatest achievement “were the talks Extinction Rebellion Malta had started with the Union of Professional Educators as well as with policy makers from both ends of the political spectrum where we emphasized the need to promote an environmental classroom for our future generations in which there is more emphasis on teaching children how to adopt a more sustainable way of living.” 

Another notable achievement of Bajada is Extinction Rebellion Malta’s Environmental Festival where individuals and organisations came together to raise awareness on the climate crisis. To organise such an event, Bajada mentioned that three important things were necessary. First, a great team. Second, contacting all the different organisations was essential to ensure community involvement. Third, to make the event about the community, the focus had to be on the community and not on the organising group. Extinction Rebellion intentionally left the name of their organisation off the event banner to show that the festival was not about them, but about the community.

“What does all this mean, you may be asking yourself, and how does this relate to the commission?“

Through this experience I have learnt not only the importance of teamwork but how to work with the various university student organisations for us to reach and achieve a shared goal.  

Bajada’s manifesto is a reflection of the issues and concerns shared and brought up by student organisations and representatives. If elected, Bajada will have a clear understanding of the issues which need to be tackled and addressed, while also breaking the barrier between the commission and organisations.

Bajada has been a member of several student organisations, such as UESA, Extinction Rebellion Malta , and his position as the post-graduate student representative for the Faculty of Science. Throughout his time as part of these organisations, he has learnt how to tackle any issues that may arise, work with different individuals, and how to adapt when things don’t go to plan.

He believes that communication is key with any organisation,

By talking honestly, together as a team to each other be it in Extinction Rebellion Malta or in UESA we have always overcome any differences and difficulties we may have faced and come out stronger at the end. 

Moreover, Bajada has previously run for the position of KSU president as an independent candidate, however, this year he decided to run for Commissioner as he recognised that his strengths lie within getting different organisations together. Due to his years of student activism, he has come to know several organisations and individuals personally, which would make communication between Commissioner and members that much easier.

His experience being the Social Policy Officer of UESA, Chairperson of Extinction Rebellion Malta and the Post-graduate student representative for the Faculty of Science have helped him gain knowledge and skills in the area of policy.

Although these qualities would make me a strong presidential candidate, I strongly believe that these qualities are better suited for the Commissioner as the Commissioner needs to be an individual that not only is strong in the field of policy but is also someone who is well known by the student body.   

Finally, it is evident that Bajada places importance on environmental issues and sustainability, which is why he plans to propose the following plans to the Environmental and Sustainability ad-hoc committee: 

• Pushing to set up an environmental taskforce with the goal of developing environmental policies around the University, Gozo, MDH and Junior College campuses with the objective that these campuses as a collective achieve carbon neutrality. Yearly targets would be set up to further increase the likelihood that the goals and objectives set by the taskforce would be achieved.   
• Bringing on board several local eNGOs to collaborate with student organisations  
• Pushing to implement a community garden within the various campuses 
• Seriously tackle the public transport system so that university students will find it easier to use public means of transport 
• Work with the canteen so as to reduce any additional waste from being created 
• Push so that the environmental awareness will be factored in the RAR assessment 

On behalf of The Third Eye and Insite, we wish both candidates the best of luck!

The post Kris Bajada: Candidate for KSU Social Policy and Education Commissioner 2023/2024 appeared first on The Third Eye.

Administrative Board:

• Chairperson – Kris Bajada
• Vice Chairperson for Internal Affairs – Isabel Mallia
• Vice Chairperson for External Affairs – Zosia Stelmaszczyk
• Secretary General – AnneMarie Gonzi
• Treasurer – Kevin Vella Zammit
• Artistic Director – Lana Berty Spiteri
• Logistics Manager – Leandros Catania
• Events Officer – Robert Castaldi

Executive Board:

• Educational Officer – Miguel Azzopardi
• Educational Officer – Maia Zammit
• Policy and Collaborative Officer – Luke Said
• Media Manager – Travis Camilleri
• Events Coordinator – Zachary Farrugia
• Events Coordinator – Lina Iskhakova
• Events Coordinator – Katya Rollason
• Events, Arts, and Social Media Coordinator – Emily G. Robinson

Presidential Comment

I would like to thank the newly elected Executive Committee of Extinction Rebellion Malta for putting their faith in me to once again take on the role of Chairperson.

I feel privileged and honoured to be working with some of the most enthusiastic and dedicated individuals. I know together we will make Extinction Rebellion Malta bigger, better, and stronger than ever before!

I am pleased to announce that during this term, Extinction Rebellion Malta plans on addressing the climate crisis in a new holistic way by working on social issues, infrastructural regulations, and policy proposals. We strongly feel that by adopting this new holistic outlook that the climate crisis can be strongly tackled. 

We will also continue working with organisations and policy makers as together, we can truly contribute to making a better world for all.

Lastly, I would like to thank the incredible Executive Members for their tireless work, while being keen to embark on this new journey with this newly elected executive.

Let us together be the change we wish to see.

Kris Bajada, Extinction Rebellion Malta Chairperson

The Third Eye wishes the new executive the best of luck for their upcoming term!

The post Kris Bajada to lead Extinction Rebellion for the third consecutive year appeared first on The Third Eye.

Kris Bajada who was the Secretary General of Extinction Rebellion Malta will now occupy the role of Chairperson of Extinction Rebellion Malta for the remainder of the term after an internal discussion of the executive and a vote of confidence by the executive of Extinction Rebellion Malta.

The new executive of Extinction Rebellion Malta shall be composed of the following executive members for the remainder of the term:

Chairperson:  Kris Bajada

Secretary General:  Miguel Azzopardi

Treasurer: Kevin Vella Zammit

PRO: Krizia Testa

Campaign Officer: Venus Langley

Events Officer: Boris Dimitrov

Education Officer: Jeremie Tranchant

Social Policy Officer: Jacob Callus

Outreach Officer: Andrew Thake

Supporting Executive Member: Sara Marston

Supporting Executive Member: Martina Zammit

“I would like to thank the executive committee of Extinction Rebellion Malta for putting their faith in me to be the next Chairperson and Sara Marston for her tireless work towards the organisation.

I feel privileged and honoured to be working with some of the most experienced and dedicated individuals and I know together we will make Extinction Rebellion Malta bigger, better, and stronger than it has ever been before.

I invite all those who feel they can contribute to join XR Malta because only together can we solve the challenge of today and tomorrow.

Lastly, I would like to thank everyone who has supported me throughout the years; be it during the KSU elections or during my time in UESA. I am sure that I would not be here today if it were not for your support over the years.”

Kris Bajada

The Third Eye would like to congratulate Sara Marston for her work towards the organisation and society as a whole! A big well done and good luck to Kris Bajada.

The post XR welcomes Kris Bajada as the new chairperson for the term appeared first on The Third Eye.

UESA has officially announced Kris Bajada’s formal resignation from the executive team where he previously held his place as board member for the past year. UESA did not give any reasons to justify the resignation whilst Bajada himself is yet to give any public statement regarding his resignation or any future candidacy. As of now, he has only shared the statement posted by UESA.

Bajada has technically run for KSU President to no avail for the past 2 years as an Independent candidate, albeit last year he dropped out half way through campaigning. Aside from being involved in student activism throughout his student life, Bajada has also been very vocal about his wishes to see an ‘independent KSU’.

KSU has never seen an independent President or a independent majority in the council, whilst SDM has always held a majority within the council. Bajada’s and any other independent candidature would come as a fresh face in the students’ council electoral scene, giving an opportunity for new voices to be heard beyond any organisational thresholds.

Upon contacting Kris Bajada in regards to his resignation he revealed no further information or plans for candidacy. This being said, this article stands as pure speculation arising from Bajada’s past endeavours in the student political scene at University.

The post Is Kris Bajada running for KSU President again? appeared first on The Third Eye.

In turn, Bajada emphasised the aspect of harmony in politics between student organisations. He added that this is the type of politics that he represents. “I believe in what the future of Maltese politics could be,” Bajada stated, “politics that is built on the idea of unity, not division.”

Whilst there are people who prepared to divide the student body he seeks to represent each and every student. Bajada recalled the Students for Climate Change Protest where the students made a difference by coming together as one.

Bajada proposed that if elected, he will form an advisory council formed of student representatives from Pulse and SDM to every perspective. He put particular emphasis on bringing the student organisations together to reform the structure of KSU.

“My vision for KSU is to unite all student organisations,” he continued, “so it can better represent the students and tackle the issues you might be facing.”

Bajada already has a manifesto published online with a number of proposals concerning Parking and Transport, Environment and Academia amongst other areas. He outlined some initiatives which in retrospect are necessities that should have been introduced already.

Amongst these are: the elimination of the ‘No Bag policy’ at Library, more past papers made available for students, results being published earlier, more free course text books and our personal favourite; a puppy room during exam season. The full manifesto can be accessed here.

Bajada lamented the main organisations consulting students only during election season. He proposed a subcommittee to be organised to create a direct channel with KSU for the students’ problems to be heard.

This election is the crossroads to decided whether KSU is led by the parties or by us, the students … I am here today for all the students that believe in an independent KSU

Kris Bajada

The post For a United and Independent KSU | Kris Bajada 2019 appeared first on The Third Eye.

Galea, made it clear in a Facebook post that as KSU President she would not have let the ground be opened for parking had the circumstances been any different. She persisted that the proposal was accepted only because of how late the student body was informed of the closing down of carpark 6.

“I am completely against students simply relying on the use of their private vehicles”

Carla Galea

Galea remains adamant that the best solution for a decrease in parking spaces is to change the mentality on the islands and choose alternative methods of transport. That said, if the students were informed earlier of the changes regarding carpark 6, the solution would have been to adapt to the lack of parking and stop depending on their private vehicles.

Conversely, Kris Bajada, one of last year’s candidates for KSU President, saw the opening of the football ground as a potential stepping stone towards ambitious projects on campus. In a statement he sent to The Third Eye, Bajada stated that the parking issue must be solved by increasing parking spaces. He applauded the temporary solution and looked towards a potential underground parking being opened as well for the long term.

Bajada also saw these developments as an opportunity to continuously revitalize the university area. He proposed to reserve a small portion of land to construct small residential units and a recreational centre, both for students. Said ideas were proposing during his presidential campaign in the 2018 KSU election.

“Although these ideas may have seemed impossible a few months ago the first steps have now been taken.”

Kris Bajada

The post KSU President Wants Parking Mentality to Change appeared first on The Third Eye.