Shadow Education Minister, Justin Schembri, shared on Facebook an email that Faculty Deans, Directors of Institutes/Centres/Schools, Administrative Directors, and Head of Departments received. The email caused panic and worry amongst Maltese citizens and students in particular as everyone wondered what this would mean to the student’s education.
What does this mean for staff and students?
While salaries, staff, and teaching resources will not be affected, any new plans the University had in mind of implementing have been halted for the time being. Moreover, no new personnel will be employed within the school unless absolutely necessary.
Rector Alfred Vella has encouraged lecturers to work to the best of their abilities with the resources they currently have and has stated he is strongly against any cost-cutting measures for textbooks, machines, software, and other educational resources. His statement has eased some of the worries, but people remain skeptical.
The student’s education does not seem to be at risk, however, people have already started taking to social media to express their views on these budget cuts.
Senior lecturer, Dr Edward Duca, expressed his confusion about these cuts:
On the same day that we announce the Science in the City, Malta festival promoting research, education and science in Malta, we also hear about a funding cut for the University of Malta, and a cut to its research fund. Hon Clifton Grima I am thoroughly confused. Supporting higher education and maintaining the small research funds we have are key to the success of every part of our country.
The Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation, Hon. Dr Clifton Grima, was present at the Science in the City press conference that was held hours before word of the budget cuts came to light. Science in the City quoted Dr Grima, stating he “emphasised the importance of research in relation to education in Malta.”
This year’s theme for Science in the City is ‘Taking Root‘ with the goal of “focusing on the European Commission and European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme.” However, these budget cuts are raising questions as to whether this goal can be achieved and what other research and programs have to be defunded.
How did the Government respond to the backlash?
In an effort to ease concerns about a €1.1 million budget cut to the University of Malta, Dr Grima outlined how the government had doubled the University’s budget over the last ten years.
A spokesperson on behalf of Dr Grima stated “The Ministry for Education will remain committed to keep students a top priority, providing them with the best possible education at all education levels.”
Considering that the government’s first major budget cut was directed at the University, citizens of the country are apprehensive of what the future holds; both with regard to the country’s education and the other sectors which will inevitably experience budget cuts.
KSU responds back
KSU – Kunsill Studenti Universitarji took to their Facebook to voice their concerns following the cuts. Their statement was endorsed by multiple students and organisations, with The Third Eye being one of the organisations. This shows that students are worried that this cut will negatively affect them, their education, and the future of their University.
Leaving a university with 11,300 students with a limited budget is immensely concerning and shows a lack of priority being given to tertiary education. KSU’s main concerns centre around the impacts these cuts will have on the numerous research projects taking place at the University, particularly on the funding and maintenance of the projects.
Prior to such cuts, the University was already underfunded, hindering the University from investing in essential services such as a 24/7 library, an issue KSU has brought up on multiple occasions. On top of this, University’s infrastructure remains outdated, once again, owing to a lack of funding. This cut is an affront to UM’s autonomy from the Government and calls upon the Rectorate to look into ways of ensuring the University’s financial independence from the Government.
KSU spoke about what this could mean for the future of the country.
Such cuts are a direct hit to not only the University’s administration but to students alike. With less funding, students are further discouraged from furthering their education at the University of Malta. This will surely lead to more students continuing their studies abroad, risking a brain drain over the coming years. University students, as tomorrow’s professionals, deserve an institution that is not clutching at the straws for financial survival, but one that can provide them with the necessary tools to thrive. The University should have the necessary budget to innovate and improve upon its services, and not cut corners at the students’ academic expense.
KSU ended their statement by saying that these issues and concerns will be discussed in their upcoming meeting with Dr Grima.
Students and faculty members will have no choice but to walk into the new scholastic year with limited funding and resources, hoping that no student’s education is hindered by this matter.