University awaits its landmark moment

It is difficult to write a commentary for publication between Christmas and New Year's Day at a time when University staff are so unhappy. The academics' proposals for draft collective agreement was meant to be a landmark document that should have served as a blueprint for the future of leadership in research and development.

The unions' proposals were designed by the academics with the students and the country in mind and were a result of an extremely open consultation process involving most academics and many University organisations, steered by the Umasa committee. Unfortunately, the politicians did not understand them well; worse still, apparently neither did the students, who stood to benefit most.

Rector Juanito Camilleri and Education Minister Dolores Cristina had told the University academics that they want change. It was pointed out that the University needs to become a student- and research-focused organisation - one that provides easy access for all and that ensures services of direct relevance to the country's needs are available.

The proposals made would have ensured the University is able to deliver the best possible education to students, one that speaks loud and clear about promoting education and research. The government and the education authorities had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity - to create a university that would enable its academics to grasp the huge opportunities of Malta's EU membership and the adoption of the euro as our currency. However, rather than providing the unions feedback on how the academics could meet these needs, they were let down by the authorities and other stakeholders who should have known better.

The proposals also included the provision of the correct support for staff to realise their own professional aspirations. The University needs a vibrant and responsive professional body which engages together with the students to meet the challenges facing our economy.

The University authorities have failed to depict a true picture of the institution, perhaps because they are too detached from politics and the public. The University needs to disseminate its presence by providing a range of 'core' services to all. There needs to be an effort to enhance the University's leadership, representation and advocacy. Academics' professional status and representation needs to be raised by further promoting their achievements in the media - on television, radio and in the press.

In addition, one should make sure the University's voice is heard in Malta's parliament and in Brussels. Research should also be conducted to provide evidence of the University's value. The public and politicians should also have access to the University's policies and they should be encouraged to influence their development.

The University requires financial investment and the academics need encouraging conditions of work. Only if this is realised can the University retain its plans for professional development and education. It needs to be attractive enough to encourage academics who are about to retire to continue giving their appreciated service to the University, to be able to award promotions to those who deserve them, and to provide support to those who are working to obtain the necessary qualifications.

Academics should have the facilities to provide high quality and relevant advice and consultancy to students, industry and government. They need to have work resources essential to deliver guidance on good practices. Efficient toolkits must be available to provide practical help, which should be delivered at the end of a phone, via e-mail or on a secure website. They should be able to provide solutions tailored to today's challenges and problems.

The mild industrial action the University has witnessed this week has already made the University body, including both academics and students, very unhappy. Students in most need were the worst hit, since the extra help academics usually give them so eagerly, especially during the vacation period close to the examination time, was not available due to the industrial action called by unions representing the academics.

Some students who have already been waiting for up to a year to have their postgraduate registration and their research projects approved are facing further delays. They are left with the unhappy option of registering the same project at other European universities but with a significantly higher expense that may be difficult to afford at this time.

Let us hope the Christmas spirit and the New Year period of goodwill would help to shed light and reason on all to ensure a peaceful and rewarding as well as a blessed New Year. This would truly usher in 2009 with a landmark moment for the University.