MEP welcomes stipends for Maltese students abroad

Nationalist MEP Simon Busuttil yesterday welcomed the budget announcement that Maltese students studying in other EU countries will, from next year, start receiving a stipend.

Last Monday Prime Minister Gonzi announced that, with effect from the next academic year, a stipend will be paid to Maltese students who, although resident in Malta, follow a first degree at a university abroad.

Since Malta joined the EU in 2004, many students have ventured abroad to study in other EU universities, largely encouraged by lower tuition fees available to them as EU citizens. However, financial support remains an issue and many hoped that they would receive a stipend just like Maltese students in Malta.

This hope was reinforced by a recent judgment of the European Court of Justice (ECJ). According to the ruling, following a case put forward by a German couple, benefits, such as tax relief, available to parents and their children in their country of residence should also be available if the children exercise their right to free movement and study abroad.

In a story carried in The Sunday Times a few weeks ago, Dr Busuttil had argued that this principle should also extend to the payment of stipends for Maltese students studying at universities in other EU countries.

Dr Busuttil said in a statement issued yesterday that the budget announcement was excellent news for many students who are studying in other EU countries, as well as their parents.

"We already invest stipends in Maltese students studying in Malta. So there was no reason why we should not do so also with Maltese students studying abroad. After all they too would be a major asset for our society if they choose to return."