Call for proposals re medical schools

With reference to the article entitled 'Dalli mulls RCSI School' (The Sunday Times, October 11), the University of Malta would like to clarify these facts.

On October 8, 2008, the government invited, on one hand, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, and on the other, the University of Malta in tandem with St George's Medical School, University of London to submit proposals regarding.

These included the development of postgraduate training in Malta; the development of nursing and health care programmes to attract more students into health care professions to meet future health services needs; the development of higher level specialist education and training for health care professionals; the development of fee-based undergraduate and/or graduate entry programmes which attract students to study in Malta; and continued provision and access to free education to medical and health care education for Maltese students.

The University of Malta in partnership with St George's Medical School, University of London, submitted its proposals, as did the RCSI, for evaluation by a board appointed by Government.

To date, the University together with St George's Medical School, University of London, have not been informed that a final decision has been reached by the government nor have they been informed of the recommendations of the adjudication committee.

The University feels that, while it would be unethical for it to highlight the strengths of the University/St George's Medical School submissions at this stage as the matter is still awaiting final judgment, it equally finds statements in the article referred to earlier, which imply that the RCSI's proposal is being deemed preferable, to be out of order.