The first goal described in the draft strategic development plan for 2002-2006 of the University of Malta is Quality Education. This is how the draft plan describes the rational, objectives and projected actions related to this goal:
Through quality education, the University will enhance its role as Malta's leading institution of higher learning and will strengthen its academic reputation among international peers.
The University regards quality education as its highest priority. The University of Malta is a teaching and research institution, which recognises that the relationship between the two functions of academia are complementary in the creation of a dynamic and effective learning environment.
Such an environment stresses the mastery of principles in subject content, intellectual rigour, creativity, moral and social responsibility, and problem solving. As a teaching and learning community, the University strives to nurture the intellectual development of its students through formal and informal academic activities that match those of reputable universities overseas.
The University will continue to provide quality learning opportunities through a range of undergraduate and post-graduate courses that lead to professional as well as liberal arts and science qualifications. It will pay special attention to areas that are particularly relevant to Malta and the Mediterranean region.
The University will build upon the Quality Assurance measures introduced so far to ensure that all academic and learning activities are of the highest quality and that they facilitate student and staff mobility with foreign institutions.
The University will reinforce the process of harmonising and strengthening course structures by adopting flexible and co-ordinated general course regulations to facilitate inter-faculty and trans-university student mobility.
The University will:
1. Consolidate undergraduate courses, increase post-graduate courses, introduce new part-time evening courses, and encourage a greater number of inter-disciplinary programmes.
2. Strengthen curriculum development in all Faculties and Institutes to ensure that course content and delivery reflect academic advances in the subject areas.
3. Continuously review students' learning experiences with the aim of heightening their expectations of the University and of their own academic performance.
4. Strengthen staff development courses in pedagogical methods and the use of innovative instructional media directed at small- and large-group teaching through the creative use of technology.
5. Insist on grading and marking systems that promote and reward students quality learning.
6. Insist on student-centred instruction, acknowledge quality teaching and award staff dedication in a tangible manner through merit award schemes.
7. Strengthen the teaching and learning resources provided by the various entities, especially the Library, the Centre for Communication Technology, and the Computer Services Centre, in order to cope with the increased number of students.
8. Enhance, through the international partners to expand academic mobility and research funding opportunities.
9. Expand the Quality Assurance indicators programme with specific criteria designed to improve teaching effectiveness, academic scholarship, instructional resources and administrative support.
10. Extend the harmonising of courses process through co-ordinated general course regulations to cover all the Faculties and Institutes.
11. Continue the process of facilitating inter-faculty and trans-university student mobility by reinforcing uniform assessment criteria and course structures in line with the Bologna Convention.
12. Strengthen student support and welfare through the Student Services and the Counselling Units to provide a one-stop student-centred service.