Promoting a wider University democracy

On September 30, The Times reported the Rector Juanito Camilleri as saying at the start of a new academic year that "... more importantly it (the University of Malta) invites us all to commit unreservedly and wholeheartedly 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."

This is very consistent with what Prof. Camilleri had declared three years before, immediately after becoming rector in 2006. It confirms the importance in our minds of what the university can do for the country and beyond - and not only what the country can do for the university. The state invests considerable funds in the university and it is only fair that the university reciprocates by contributing to the state's economy - thus improving the country in a practical way.

Recent developments in the democratic structures of the university include an increased democracy at departmental level. All academic members of staff holding a council appointment have the right to attend, participate and vote in the procedures of their respective departments. This is also consonant with the Education Act Cap. 327 of the Laws of Malta.

Thus university heads of department are now inviting, as is their duty, all council-appointed academic staff to meetings where their ideas can contribute to the development of the department and the university.

These developments mean that more members of staff now have the right to participate in departmental meetings, contribute their opinions and suggestions and, above all, vote in any decisions that need to be taken. This also means that newly-invited members of the academic staff may propose subjects for discussion on the agenda. This will surely lead to a better contribution of the various university departments to the university mission as described by the Rector.

One cannot help admitting that this is a positive development from which only good can come.