Scholarship scheme attracts more applicants

The Malta Government Scholarship Scheme for undergraduate courses has been extended to students who have already started their course of studies at a recognised foreign university or a private tertiary institution in Malta, but who have yet to complete their studies.

The decision was taken after the interest generated in the first few months since its launch, which led the Education Minister, with the approval of the Ministry of Finance, to extend the scheme beyond the original threshold of 150 applications for first-year studies in local private universities or abroad. Applications for the undergraduate scholarship close on September 2.

The scholarship is intended to alleviate the fees of studying at local institutions or recognised foreign universities. In fact, the undergraduate scheme provides for the equivalent of the maintenance grant given to students at the University of Malta.

An Education Ministry official said that the provision of more courses was beneficial to higher education and to the country especially if the field of studies were relevant to the community and the economy.

"We do not see this as a competition between the university and private institutions. Rather, they are complementing each other to offer more choice.

"The ministry has no control over which courses are offered by private institutions as long as they reach the levels specified in the licence. We want to help the Maltese students to carry on with their studies irrespective of the course they choose and the institution they go to," the official said.

The scholarship scheme for postgraduate courses, launched in 2007, has also been offered this year.

The official said that by the time the applications closed in June, 158 applications were received - 41 candidates to follow a course leading to Ph.D., and 115 applications from students who intend to take up studies leading to a Master's Degree. Two applications were withdrawn.

The sum allocated for the postgraduate scheme is also expected to rise from the €240,000 which was awarded under last year's scheme.

Studying abroad opens up new opportunities for students, a fact which Malta's accession to the EU has also facilitated. However, the ministry official believes that Malta is still capable of offering sufficient reasons for students to return.

"Anybody is free to make his choices in a responsible manner. Our country needs to invest in its people who are our only resource. It is fair that people would want to see a return on their investment."

However, "we think that as things are developing, with the economy offering more job opportunities with better conditions, together with the family factor and other considerations, most of our students, when qualified and can enter into the labour market, will find enough reasons to keep them here."