Politics and the University

While some believe that in general the Labour Party (MLP) is increasingly acknowledging the University's contribution to society there is still a feeling that Labour looks at the University's research aspect with trepidation, especially at that research which is followed for its own sake without immediate and direct applications.

Some say that Labour leader Alfred Sant still has his doubts on the relevance of our taxpayer-funded University spending a significant amount of its funds to carry out research of no immediate relevance to Malta but mainly serving to improve the University's international image and standing.

A number of Dr Sant's followers seem to agree that our University should excel in teaching as a priority but that research should play second fiddle to other priorities. However, it is said that there is a group within the Labour Party that understands the relevance of investing in research in tertiary education.

The Nationalist Party has made a clear-cut commitment to spend about €116 million (Lm50m) on a new campus for Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST), the successful tertiary education sister of the University. No such level of expenditure has been hinted at as earmarked for the University.

On the other hand, the MLP has not again even given assurance that it will not again shut down MCAST. There are some who are even proposing that the MLP should close MCAST and transfer its students either to the University or to set up again the old trade schools. The MLP has not as yet officially denied such proposals.

The PN is committed to promote research and innovation in tertiary education though there is no said as to the extent to which this will this be financed, or whether the funds allocated for tertiary education development will be so limited that they will only serve to satisfy partially the needs of ICT research.

Meanwhile, the MLP has not yet said whether any funds at all would be made available for research and development if it is elected.

The incidents that took place during the Mintoffian reforms in tertiary education have not helped to entice students to change their view that the MLP did not look at tertiary education very sympathetically. During Labour rule, entrance to University was restricted to only 700 students per year who found a sponsor. The two-year reign of Labour leader Alfred Sant also had a negative impact on students due to the introduction of a loan system instead of the stipend grant given to all tertiary education students.

However, notwithstanding these negative effects and the lack of trust that many students still have in the MLP, all acknowledge that young students and a number of academics have recently shifted their sympathies from Nationalist to Labour.

Traditionally, the University has been described as a PN fortress, although there are two main groups of students with a political alliance represented on campus - the Christian Democrats (SDM) and the Social Democrats (Pulse).

Neither the SDM, which is sympathetic to the PN, nor Pulse, which is sympathetic to the MLP, have succeeded to obtain clear commitments from the respective parties they support that the University will be sustained through the allocation of sufficient funds.

Even the vociferous group Graffitti, which originated from the University and is really active on environmental issues, hardly speaks up when it comes to intellectual heritage. It is worth remarking that it was not that long ago that intellectuals were told to pack up and store themselves in a freezer.

Both the PN and MLP should state clearly and categorically how and to what extent the University is going to be financed. The smaller parties - Azzjoni Nazzjonali and Alternattiva Demokratika - would also do no harm by stating their views on how they wish tertiary education to develop.

Students and academic staff, and especially the more political-inclined associations, SDM and Pulse, should also make known their views and stance, and influence the parties regarding their various policies, which will influence Maltese society also in areas not connected to education.

The groups should be asking the political leaders questions, even if these may be embarrassing to the parties they support. SDM has a website where it asks users in a vox pop style their views on the introduction of the MLP's proposed preparatory extra year in education.

Has anybody considered expanding the Sixth Form or Junior College to three years as an alternative to the extra kindergarten year, and awarding a certificate, diploma or an associate degree to those completing three years of post-secondary education? The third year could serve to introduce students to University education and the selection of professions and subjects on offer.

During a recent visit to the University campus, the Prime Minister acknowledged the role of undergraduates in making constructive suggestions. He encouraged students to come up with ideas similar to the one on the pensions' scheme, which the Government adopted as the best suggestion.

This should encourage students to participate in politics in a civilised and positive manner. Some of the most successful candidates in general elections are in fact graduates, particularly lawyers and doctors.

It is a tradition that for lawyers to start becoming active in politics during their student days. In fact, a casual look at the occupation of candidates contesting the first electoral district shows that there are no less than 13 of them.