The role of 'experts' and researchers in the running of a country may be a rusty can of worms, yet the opinion that 'experts' and researchers (whose work is publicly financed) owe a lot to society is hard to contest.

Since most, if not all, of the University's budget comes from public funds, the public has a right to demand some form of return. Unfortunately, when one excludes the training of professionals, most of what an academic and research institution contributes to society is hardly visible and of little immediate benefit. There is one thing that the members of such an institution can give a lot of, namely good advice.

Several members of the University do use their expertise to give advice which benefits the public, say in the form of expert testimony in the courts, or consultancy to the government, although the latter at times does play second fiddle to foreign knowhow at great expense (ghax ta' barra ahjar!).

Still, these knowledgeable people seem to miss the opportunity to repay society at large in a more direct way, and this is a real shame in a country which is becoming ever more "well-connected". Voicing one's opinion, a well informed one, in an independent way, in some form of public forum like the press, is one of the easiest ways for a publicly funded 'expert' to fulfil part of one's obligations.

Although this might not be the most thorough and precise way of sharing one's knowledge it is the one with the quickest and widest effect. It is for these reasons that academics, those from scientific backgrounds as well as those in the humanities but especially those studying politics, ought to make an ostensible effort to advise the public on the most important decisions, those decisions that will shape the whole country.

While for years many at University prudently steered clear of any hot political issue lest they get burnt, the fast approaching referendum on joining the EU presents a different situation. Not that the question burns less hotly than that of the general elections, but those who do not know why or how they should vote are quite numerous.

This is an opportunity for all those involved in academia to start settling their dues to society. Now is the time to speak one's mind. It would be unfair for the Maltese people to be asked to vote without knowing the opinion of the thinkers who have been paid to think from the same people's taxes.

And please, let us have some real thinking and not get lost in trivialities like a hypothetical invasion by foreign students, which is only a clear and self-evident problem to xenophobics while in fact it has a good probability of turning out to be something positive to the open minded.