What Exactly Happened?

Google has been revisiting many policies concerning its operations in the past few years. Whilst these have enhanced their platforms, there have also been drawbacks in certain areas. For instance, in 2021 storage space per Google Account had been confined to 15GB.

A similar problem has cropped up, now also impacting the educational side of students’ lives. Factoring in the quota imposition on Google Workspace for Education, UM/JC students now have a maximum of 5GB worth of storage assigned towards their Google Workspace storage.

Although 5GB is still quite a lot in terms of storage space, it still imposes a burden on students who make heavy use of this workspace for their studies, whilst accounting for notes, books and other materials required for their studies.

The unlimited amount of data had served a great purpose to students, so it may be quite unfair on students to see such heavy restrictions. That said, we understand that Google might implement certain changes that would require IT Services to take the corresponding measures.

Alex Gaglione – KSU President

What do students need to do?

In case you overlooked or deleted the email that was issued, don’t fret. Here’s a quick summary of what you need to do by 18th January 2023:

1. Log into your UM/JC student Google account and delete data that don’t relate to your current studies.
   
2. Look at how much storage you’re using after removing the extra data mentioned in the first step
   
3. Students who are using less than 5 GB don’t need to undertake further actions. If you are still making use of more than 5 GB, IT services require you to reduce storage below the threshold. If there are any issues you encounter with the latter step you are asked to fill in this form, so to avoid any impediments in Google Services (if the 5 GB limit has been exceeded.

Google Drive Storage Feedback

The reliability and convenience rendered by Google Drive is not unknown by UM students. As such KSU, along with other university organisations, are acquiring responses to better comprehend how students make use of such data. In turn, the feedback will help KSU to take the necessary actions with regards to this matter. If you wish to participate in this short survey you are kindly asked to click the following link.

As KSU we wish to understand the students’ data usage so that such information can help to find a way forward regarding this situation.

Alex Gaglione – KSU President

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As of yet, despite the persistent number of new COVID-19 cases, University of Malta is set to open its doors to freshers on 19th October. With Freshers’ Week already cancelled, the prospect of returning to normality in less than two months seems all the more impractical. While there is a ‘Plan B’ for lectures to shift completely online if the situation worsens, this scenario brings with it many unanswered questions. The fruitful discussion that took place during the meeting clarified many of these uncertainties. 

KSU informed student representatives of the plans UM currently has in place to safeguard students’ health and safety for the coming academic year.

The main outcome of the meeting was a consensus to establish online lectures as a fixed option for university students even after the pandemic phases out. 

• Lectures will be held both online and physically. 
• *For lectures with larger groups, students would be split into two smaller groups; wherein either group would alternate between attending the lecture in person or online. 

*This system will be adopted only where it is deemed necessary due to space constraints, so that social distancing within classes can be adhered to.

• An option to take online classes will be introduced for students uncomfortable with attending physically. 
• Practicals will remain on campus.
• Areas at university will be provided for students who cannot stay at home for online lectures.

There are also some other systems that could potentially be implemented; however, there has been no finite decision yet.

• A shuttle service is being considered from the Msida to the Valletta campus due to the parking problem in Valletta and the higher risk of contracting the virus on buses. 
• A benchmark system has been requested to be established in place of exams if the number of active cases exceeds a certain amount. 

Earlier today, KSU have posted on their Facebook page a rundown of the questions they directed towards the Superintendent of Health. Amongst which, were many demands for clarifications regarding the coming MATSEC exam sessions and UM resit sessions.

This meeting came after a KSU contacted student organisations and representatives to draw up a Pandemic Response Policy collaboratively. This policy is aimed to prepare and equip the University any similar future outbreaks, or a prolonged period of the current situation.

The post Here’s what next semester at UM will look like appeared first on The Third Eye.

Several universities around the world (including our very own UM) collaborated to launch a platform promoting good physical health amidst the COVID-19 Outbreak.

This Thursday saw the launch of Quarantrain, a platform providing online support and timely information on exercise and everyday activities. UM’s part in the project was led by a group of 3rd year undergraduate physiotherapy students: Karen Stoner, Nicole Chircop, Kelly Fenech, Bernard von Brockdorff, Daryl Azzopardi and Sophie Camilleri. Together with their tutor, Dr John Xerri De Caro, they are working on programme content and video creation to promote exercise as a way to address mental wellbeing and good breathing techniques.

Dr Xerri De Carro commended the students on involving themselves in the project and being very engaging. He referred to the collaboration as an invaluable learning experience for the whole team as they continue to engage in cross-cultural activities aimed at the well-being of the global population.

It is a perfect example of how, in times of adversity such as this one we are all going through, we are able to rise up to the challenge, see opportunity in difficulty, and develop it

Dr Xerri De Caro

The group of students themselves commented that “as future physiotherapists, we aim to endorse physical activity at all times and this has really expanded our creative horizons in thinking outside of the box.” They also expressed their excitement to shed light on chest physiotherapy that proves to be fundamental in respiratory conditions.

Individuals who would like to contribute to this student-led initiative are encouraged to get in touch via the platform’s Contact Page.

The post UM Physio Students Collaborate on International Project #Quarantrain appeared first on The Third Eye.

BA Psychology graduates having to do an extra course to start working or do a masters are not getting stipends and grants like all other students.

We are lucky enough to live in a country where students are paid to attend school. It is an amazing advantage for us students but it would be even better if ALL students received the same benefit.

Students reading for a Higher Diploma in Psychology at the University of Malta are denied their students and grants. The excuse that is being used when asked why these students aren’t being paid, is that they are reading for a second undergraduate degree. However it is clearly stated in UM’s by-laws that H. Diploma students are an exception because they need this extra course to both obtain their warrant and actually work, and to further their studies at masters level.

Students are being forced to feel that their course is laughable and relatively unimportant. Compare this to the constant mental health awareness campaigns we are experiencing in Malta.

How are you going to promote mental health when you’re discouraging aspiring professionals who are going to be the forefront of this cause? 

Students are being forced to feel that their course is laughable and relatively unimportant. Compare this to the constant mental health awareness campaigns we are experiencing in Malta. How are you going to promote mental health when you’re discouraging aspiring professionals who are going to be the forefront of this cause? Many students grieved over how hard it is to juggle a part-time job and a thesis over the course of one year. That said, getting the allowances granted to equally struggling students would be the obvious course of action.

It should also be noted that the year-long course is not the usual academic year but lectures also take place during summer. Between year-round lectures and thesis-research there is less time for work shifts and as a result a ‘more’ broke student. That extra monthly €88 and the hefty grant at the beginning of the year are a major stress reliever, so why aren’t they extended to every university student?

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