KSU calls for talks to resolve university lecturers' dispute

The University Students' Council (KSU) has criticised the current standstill in talks between the government and the trade unions on a new collective agreement for university lecturers and has requested meetings with ministers and union leaders over the issue.

The KSU also referred to the unions' directive to teachers not to issue first semester results, saying that no party should use the students as a negotiating tool. It said it has requested a meeting with the university registrar and the rectorate to plan out a contingency plan in the event that the directive is not lifted.

"Nonetheless, KSU calls all students to continue preparing for the January examination period and hand in any assignments on time."

The KSU said the unions' decision to boycott boards or committees would slow down the decision-making process at the university and would hinder students currently appealing from decisions taken by the university administration to secure the protection of student rights and students' academic development.

The students' council called for further incentives for direct and indirect investment from the private sector in the University of Malta in order to significantly minimize the issue of financing of higher education.

KSU will be holding an information campaign to inform all the students of the current situation.

Meanwhile, the GWU has also called for talks to resolve the dispute, and it expressed solidarity with the Malta Union of Teachers and the University of Malta Academic Staff Association (UMASA).