Potential for a 'private university' sector in Malta

Malta has the potential to develop a healthy private tertiary tuition sector, which in the UK alone translates into a multi-million pound business, according to Charles Theuma, director of St Martin's Institute.

Mr Theuma said that among the island's advantages are a Mediterranean climate and the fact that it is an English-speaking country.

St Martin's, a "private university", has been teaching courses leading to University of London degrees since 2000, namely a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer and Information Systems, a full range of degree and diploma courses in commerce and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. Half of its students are foreign students from both EU and non-EU countries.

"If foreign students, who pay much less to study in Malta than in other EU cities, can be attracted to study in Malta, they may well compensate for the 50,000 tourists the government is targeting," Mr Theuma said.

Cyprus, he said, has already recognised its potential and is building four private universities to compete in this very economically rewarding market.

Fifty per cent of the students who graduated B.Sc. (Hons) Computing and Information Systems from St Martin's Institute have attained a first class degree. The other 50 per cent attained a second class upper degree.

These students have attained a University of London first degree while studying on a part-time basis in Malta at St Martin's Institute of IT, which has been teaching computer studies since 1985, and IT training through the affiliate institution Executrain since 1997. In 1990, St Martin's also launched its business school.

"One of the factors leading to successful results is that private universities are likely to offer individual attention. Classes at St Martin's Institute do not have more than 24 students. Furthermore, students pay for tuition and therefore make sure they put in all their efforts to obtain successful results. The fact that they pay instead of receiving a stipend may also be another reason for having registered excellent results," Mr Theuma said.

An initial concern regarding private tuition, especially those leading to a first degree, is the high fee. "When considering that one is studying for a University of London degree without incurring the accommodation expenses of a resident in London, the costs are cut down by two thirds of the sum a student in London has to pay for the same degree. Furthermore, a student benefits from all the advantages of being in Malta, including retaining the job," Mr Theuma said.

Maltese students have to sit for the same examination papers as students in London or in any other external institution. This ensures a uniform level of assessment. The papers are then sent to London to be corrected by the university's examiners.

St Martin's Institute is under the scrutiny of the London University. "The university does not grant licences haphazardly. Rather, it visits the institution, makes sure it has adequate facilities, equipment and resources, and is well-managed by a professional administrative staff.

"This is because an external school is not an affiliate but an educational institution that adopts its own teaching methods to teach the University of London's syllabus leading to a degree. This means that the London University does not sponsor any part of the local lecturers' tuition fees, neither the building's running costs and other expenses."

He said the local tertiary system of education is running at a huge financial cost. "The student is not only given a yearly grant and a monthly stipend, but the tuition for the duration of the course is free of charge. This boils down to thousands of liri. In other countries, not only is the student not receiving any government grant, he/she must pay for the tuition, which includes lecturers' fees, use of the library and the lecture rooms, and other ancillary facilities. Half of St Martin's Institute's full-time students are foreigners, a percentage Mr Theuma would like to increase to 75 per cent.

With regard to Maltese students, degree courses at St Martin's Institute are particularly attractive to students who work and are unwilling to leave their job for a full-time course. "A first degree, with the University of London, can be equally attained on a part-time basis while the student retains his job."

However, stipends should be granted to every student following higher education courses regardless of whether the institution is state-owned or private, he maintained.

"Students attending a private university are currently not entitled to a stipend and grant. If the stipends system is to be retained, at least it should be given across the board. It is not fair that students are only granted a stipend if they are enrolled with the government institutions."