University year opens - Rector lists progress
Growing demand for post-graduate courses
University Rector Prof Juanito Camilleri this morning reviewed progress being made by the University as he welcomed students to a new academic year.
In an address following Mass, the Rector said that the theme he chose for this year highlighted the need for Malta to remember the crucial role the University of Malta has played through history to make this country what it is, "but more importantly it invites us all to commit unreservedly and wholeheartedly to this institution to ensure that it retains its position at the heart of the social and economic development of Malta in its European, Mediterranean, and global context," Professor Juanito Camilleri added.
The Rector said that in the past year the University made significant steps forward to strengthen its research infrastructure. An agreement had been reached with academic staff, which provided a framework to encourage individual research but which also allowed for the creation of a corporate research programme, in response to the needs of industry and the country at large, as well as to exploit opportunities for collaboration with European and global counterparts.
INFRASTRUCTURAL IMPROVEMENTS
Prof. Camilleri said that the University managed to secure in excess of €20 million for the purchase of equipment to strengthen the facilities for research mainly in the fields of medicine, science and engineering.
A €50 million investment by the government and the European Union covered infrastructural projects that had already started and that would continue over the next two years.
He said that excavation work for the building of the Computer Services Centre and for the Faculty of ICT was complete and the construction phase would start soon.
The extensive work on the library facade was almost complete and work was now being carried out on the construction of the new main data centre next to carpark 5. This would ensure continued operations and safeguard data, resources and research should a major fault develop. In the meantime, work on the Junior College expansion continued at a steady pace.
Another project consisting of the building of an integrated administrative information system started a few months ago. This would help ensure better and more efficient use of resources, and a better quality of service to students and academics by the University.
An office for Corporate Research and Technology Transfer was set up and a director recruited to help the University build the administrative capacity to manage its corporate research portfolio and to exploit it and disseminate it as broadly as possible.
The Rector said that the University was continuing to forge international collaborations, mainly through participation in European Framework and Interregional programmes.
"The University of Malta must continue to identify strategic partners of repute," he added, "I am pleased to announce the launch of two dual International Masters Programmes which have commenced classes at our Valletta campus. The first, in tandem with James Madison University, is on Sustainable Environmental Resource Management. The second, in tandem with San Diego State University, is on Integrated Marketing Communications," he said.
NEW MASTERS PROGRAMMES
Prof. Camilleri said the University was also in advanced stages of preparation to launch another two dual international masters programmes in the next academic year. The first was in tandem with Western Michigan University on Criminology and Criminal Justice while the second was with George Mason University on Conflict Resolution and Mediterranean Security.
Prof Camilleri said that there were also several other very promising prospects being explored with an eye to extending the growing profile of bilateral or multilateral dual and joint degree programmes. He highlighted another two major achievements last year in the University's internationalisation strategy - an agreement reached with the government of Kuwait which had secured a significant steady influx of Kuwaiti students to pursue their studies in a range of subjects, and another concerning the Confucius Institute to be located in Binja Guże Cassar Pullicino which was soon to be up and running.
GROWING DEMAND FOR POST-GRADUATE COURSES
The University said it had so far this year accepted 2,296 applications for courses, of which 1,347 were from female students. The Admissions Office was currently processing applications from students who sat for the MATSEC and the University's September supplementary sessions and whose results were published. They had been advised that in case of a positive result which should qualify them for their course, they could start attending lectures even before receiving the official letter of acceptance.
The University said there was an ever increasing demand for post-graduate courses, for which there were 1,091 Maltese applicants this year.
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M. Portelli
Oct 1st 2009, 13:34
Mario Vella is exactly right, I spent five years at the UOM and can say that apart from a few notable exceptions the university is run as an autocracy. Student rights & Democratc priniciples are absent and political appointments blatently obvious. Only when the UOM is politically independant and rotation of appointments become compulsory (ie - you do not have the same heads for nearly 20 years) as in all major european universities we can start producing graduates prepared for the real world, rather than a bunch of people capable only of following the orders of their percieved 'betters'
Mario Vella
Sep 30th 2009, 17:14
@Andrea Demarco
The sad reality is that the Univeristy of Malta is highly politicised and seeks to serve power rather then raise standards through education and technology.
Suffice it to say that just before the last general election several professorships were conferred. The post of Rector itself often has strong political connections (e.g the present Rector is an ex-party candidate). The speeches we hear at University are reminiscent of political speeches and similar hot air.
When will we have real academics whose worth is judged by the number of papers they publish rather than the number of friends in political parties? Publications are the basis of selection and promotion of academics in EU and US Universities. We need Academic excellence, not political mediocrity.
Should'nt the Rector be concerned with the poor international ranking of the university of Malta, a fact that would preoccupy all major Universities that strive to improve theri position rather then sit on past laurels?
Only research and its applications can solve the country's fundamental problems, such as building a road or ensuring a reliable supply of good quality water, high cultural standards etc...
Andrea Demarco
Sep 30th 2009, 15:42
@ Mario Vella
I understand your stance, however I also think you're criticizing the system badly.
'The worst roads in Europe' - why blame the Professors and the University?
'The worst tap water quality' - there are many factors contributing to bad tap water quality. However I found much worse tap water in supposedly more advanced countries..London and Brussels for instance.
'High illiteracy rate' - although slow, and although I agree more can be done, illetaracy rate is decreasing with time.. but education needs more investment, more funds, more research, more breadth of subjects etc. It's not all UOM's fault.
'Unsustainable sources of energy' - I agree fully here. For the size of our country, we can do a lot more. However, work on renewable sources of energy requires a lot of capital, a lot of research and investment. I'm not saying the UOM can't do more. What I'm saying is that we're running on limited resources.
I believe in our University, and even though it has its' faults, I think that it has done A LOT, with the limited resources available to it.
Mario Vella
Sep 30th 2009, 14:56
'the crucial role the University of Malta has played through history to make this country': is this a reference to the fact that for decades Malta has had the worst roads in Europe, the worst tap water quality, a high illiteracy rate, unsustainable sources of energy...etc.? Isnt this part of the University of Malta's legacy to the country? Not blaming the students, but the kind of education they get.
If the Univeristy has such an important role in the country, I wonder if the time has come for a total remake so that the abyssal standards we have got used to are improved. But, perhaps the University professors are comfortable with their territory and do not see any reason for change.
Mark Cushcieri
Sep 30th 2009, 12:59
Jurgen Axiaq
sry i just mentioned accountants and IT just as an example...in the 90s i remember everyone learning accounts...and then in to 2000's everyone learning IT. i dont know the figures but i feel there is lack of planning as to the demand of the country.
Jurgen Axiaq
Sep 30th 2009, 12:19
to mark borg:
Responding to your statement. I dont really know the situation in the IT department, yet I think if Smart City would have been completed as planned (probably not) there would have been alot of vacancies for IT people.
As regards the accountancy department, we are around 120 people 3rd year & I think that almost 80% already have a work contract with one of the Big 4 Audit Companies. The other 20% will find an employment sooner or later (we still have 3 more years of study in the meantime) The demand for accountants in Malta is high so I don't see your point. If you said lawyers then i think I would agree! Still if I want to be an auditor, I'm not gonna study to become a pilot or doctor or nurse or whatever!!
P Debono
Sep 30th 2009, 12:08
"They had been advised that in case of a positive result which should qualify them for their course, they could start attending lectures even before receiving the official letter of acceptance."
And what if we are not accepted? What happens then?
Mark Cushcieri
Sep 30th 2009, 11:22
I think what is needed in schools is good planning ...it is useless that for example 200 accountants or IT , finish the degree and then there is no demand in malta for 200...what malta needs is proper planning on demand of the country.
Gerard Cassar
Sep 30th 2009, 11:15
And then it is not able to set faultless examination papers!