Gonzi reiterates promise to retain stipends

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi has renewed his commitment to keep investing in students by means of stipends and other resources.

Speaking at the University during a visit to Freshers' Week, he said he was thrilled to see all the "vibrant activity" on campus and praised students for their creativity, imagination and enthusiasm.

"When I come here I see with my own eyes the fruit of our investment. This is the best guarantee for our future. We have ambitious plans but this fills me with encouragment," he said.

Dr Gonzi said stipends needed to continue together with all the other efforts being done, including the resources and infrastructure being provided at all institutions including the Malta College for Arts, Science and Technology.

Dr Gonzi visited the University accompanied by his wife Kate and parliamentary secretary for youth and sport Clyde Puli. The three of them greeted students, especially the ones presenting their organisations on their stands.

At the end of the visit Dr Gonzi was presented with a report by the University Students' Council about education reform, where KSU called for the University to become more autonomous. The report states that the university need to be morally and intellectually independent of all political authority and economic power. It quoted the Bologna declaration of 1999.

"For these reasons KSU feels that the number of members on the University Council appointed by the government should be reduced and student representatives increased." The report also called for "more incentives and support" to facilitate students' study rather than posing financial constraints. KSU is also placing a lot of focus on student and staff "mobility" - an attempt to encourage travelling and student exchanges as a chance to expand one's experiences.

KSU President Karl Grech said the University needed to be more dynamic and flexible.