Claudia Calleja
Say who?
Most university students don't recognise their rector
Most students don't recognise their rector Juanito Camilleri (picture) while many don't even know what the University Ombudsman is there for let alone who he is. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli
Nearly half of university students cannot put a face to their rector and barely five per cent recognise the ombudsman who represents their rights, a survey carried out by a campus newspaper has shown.
The survey, done by the student paper The Insiter, also shows that only 34 per cent of students recognise fellow student and representative on the University Students' Council (KSU) Roberta Avellino, even though the poll was carried out before the recent student rally which saw Ms Avellino take centre stage.
The Insiter asked 215 students whether they recognised the people in three photos shown: university rector Juanito Camilleri, university ombudsman Charles Farrugia and Ms Avellino. The majority failed to recognise them.
The Times also randomly asked students on campus last week to name the three people. Some could name the rector and even place Ms Avellino, but most had no clue what the ombudsman was there for, let alone who he was.
"I think students don't know who these people are because there is a lack of communication and they need an intermediary to get to the rector or the ombudsman," a fourth-year IT student told The Times, as he defended students' "ignorance" on this matter.
But another student, who is in her second year and studying commerce, disagreed.
"I think the problem is that most students come to univeristy just for the acadmic part and don't really care what's going on around them," she said.
Her course-mate, who is in his third year, also believes the problem boils down to a lack of interest from both univeristy and students. His friend added: "It's really bad that so many students don't know who represents them on the KSU, which is there specifically to build bridges between students and the university".
According to The Insiter's survey, although just 42 per cent of students recognised the rector when shown a photo, he was still the most recognised person out of the three figures - even though many mistook him for a politician or a businessman.
"One particularly enlightened student cheerily exclaimed that the picture showed former Italian Prime Minister and 10th President of the European Commission Romano Prodi," The Insiter wrote.
When faced with the image of Ms Avellino, recognised by a third of students, a lot of students thought she was a singer, a presenter or a student journalist.
The ombudsman, who had served as a pro-rector for a number of years, was the least recognised - just four per cent of students figured out who he was. Among the guesses were claims that he was an MP, author Oliver Friggieri and "a Maltese student wondered whether it was a photo of Malta's current Prime Minister".
Even more alarming was the fact that, according to the article, "a clear majority did not know what a university ombudsman was".
Reacting to the survey, Prof. Farrugia said it is more important that students know about his office and the services rendered rather than recognise who he is.
The role of Prof. Farrugia, who was appointed last August, is to investigate complaints by university students and staff in respect of actions taken by the university.
Prof. Camilleri was not available for comment. Questions were sent by The Times on Thursday but no replies were received by the time of going to print.
Commenting on the survey's results, Ms Avellino said that the KSU is aware about an existing public relations problem, adding that it is being addressed.
Still, it doesn't bother her that students don't know who she is. It is more important that they know about KSU and its role in standing up for students. "What amazed me is that so many students did not know who the rector was," she said.
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13 Comments
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Dr Michael A. Riccioli
Jan 13th 2009, 01:26
Not only in Malta :)
Mark Seychell
Jan 13th 2009, 01:10
lgalea
NO you are wrong again! There are students who lack interest of course but i know that many are very interested in such affairs. is it our (as students) fault that the KSU and the administration blatantly refuse to advertise such events? NO
Is it the students fault that in the 1st year introductory meeting neither the Rector nor the Ombudsman were present? NO
Should all students collectively take all the heat for genuine lack of interest by some minority? NO
Keith Vella
Jan 13th 2009, 00:27
Dear Igalea,
For every exercise in gross generalisation, there are always exceptions to the rules that ultimately void and nullify said generalisations.
You see, I, a student, supported UMASA's position and was yearning and promoting for the rest of the student body to see the reality behind the games.
lgalea
Jan 12th 2009, 21:41
Luke Buttigieg
What harsh words?
Isn't it true as can be deduced from the article?
j.caruana
Isn't it your right and duty to see where you can find him just in case you need him?
mark Seychell
How could the students not know about the election?
You are confirming the lack of interest in University affairs by the students.
Jennifer Cosaitis
I have neither antipathy nor am I conducting a crusade against University students.
I am simply pointing out truths which students should know about.
I. Galea
Who the rector is is general knowledge which the students should have been able to learn even from the media and its got nothing to do with caring about him or not. Knowing such things is not involving oneself in the politics of University.
Keith Vella
Then what about the severe criticism against the lecturers because they were taking industrial action as they have every right to do? Is this not prejudice against workers of whatever level and profession who are forced to take industrial to protect their interests?
Keith Vella
Jan 12th 2009, 16:34
@Igalea
Prejudice is certainly not it.
Joe Tabone-Adami
Jan 12th 2009, 16:17
This bodes absolutely fantastic for the future leaders of this land!!
I. Galea
Jan 12th 2009, 16:04
behold, igalea's general sweeping statement of the day. honestly, it would be nice to see a side of you that doesn't grumble, if there is one....even just once.
Sure, there are students at the university who couldn't care less about who their rector is. but some do care. Other students are more interested in other aspects of university, like extracurricular events and activities...voluntary work, degree plus, mentoring, etc. Then there are those students who'd rather dedicate all their energy to their subjects of interest (such as the course they're currently reading) rather than involving themselves in the politics of university. Others just want to get good grades - what's wrong with that?
maybe i'm being wrong in assuming here, but i'm pretty sure you never really gave a hoot about whether your personal doctor/lawyer/social worker/teachers ever knew who their rector was.
Jennifer Cosaitis
Jan 12th 2009, 15:06
Mr/ Ms I Galea - Whilst still trying to establish the reason behind your antipathy and tireless crusade against University students, I'd also like to point out that some of the faces not recognised by the students barely try to make any effort in being prominent figures. This does not justify some students' laissez faire attitude - however it would be of better use to everyone if your future comments be backed by proper arguments instead of comments scattered around which do not do much for anyone.
mark Seychell
Jan 12th 2009, 13:44
or it shows the university's continued refusal to publicise their affairs. do not speak when you do not know the full situation lgalea! For example, a few months ago the universtiy held the student election, and since theri were only two applicants, they were merely inducted and not elected. How many people knew about the election or applications to contest? hardly anybody
j.caruana
Jan 12th 2009, 12:21
don't blame us - the ombudsman was never there to support us. I do not even know where his office is
lets not forget that nurses, midwifes, physiotherapists, radiographers, medical-lab science...students are allocated at mater dei HOSPITAL not at the university. No over ever came to the institute of health care to introduce himself and offer his service. The institute of health care students (including the mentioned above) ARE TOTALLY FORGOTTEN AND ISOLATED!!
Rita Spiteri
Jan 12th 2009, 11:33
I always thought most of the univerity student were fickle,now it's confirmed
Luke Buttigieg
Jan 12th 2009, 10:35
Why the harsh words Igalea? I'm a university student myself, and the reason why no one seems to know who the Ombudsman is is because he is never around and no one ever mentions his existence. So unless you actually do some reading you won't even know about the position.
lgalea
Jan 12th 2009, 09:35
This clearly shows what real interest the students have in University.