According to the Strategic Plan for the University of Malta which covers up to 2006, the University's highest priority is to continue offering quality education so as to enhance its role as Malta's leading institution of higher learning and at the same time strengthen its academic reputation among international peers.
The rationale for this is that 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.
To reach this aim the University will continue to provide quality learning opportunities through undergraduate and postgraduate 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 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-universities student mobility.
In taking action towards implementing these objectives the University will:
1. Consolidate undergraduate courses, increase postgraduate courses, introduce new part-time evening courses, and encourage a greater number of inter-disciplinary programmes.
2. Strengthen curriculum development in all faculties/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/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 and their diverse needs.
8. Enhance, through the International Office, the European Unit and personal initiatives, collaboration with tits European and international partners to expand academic mobility and research 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 harmonisation 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-universities student mobility by reinforcing uniform and transparent assessment criteria together with course structures that are in line with the Bologna Declaration.
12. Strengthen student support and welfare through the Student Advisory Services and the Counselling Units to provide a one-stop student-centred service.
13. Undertake a costing exercise at Faculty/Institute level to ensure that the level of funding and resources available will match the expected deliverables.
14. Co-operate with other universities to organise and grant joint collaborative degrees.