KSU election candidates cross swords

The leaders of the main blocs contesting the election for the University Students' Council held a lively two-hour debate this morning, where the highlight of their concern was students' apathy to activities on campus. Some 150 students attended.

Stefan Balzan, representing SDM (the Christian Democratic Students) said this issue would be his priority and he would be meeting other students' organisations to agree on a way to overcome it.

Mark Camilleri, for Moviment Liberali, said proper commitment was needed. The students were not feeling that the KSU was part of their University life.

Replying to other questions, Mr Camilleri said one of the Liberal Movement's promises was to promote the building of a multi-storey car park to ease the parking problem at the university.

Mr Balzan said this was not a new idea and permits had actually been issued by Mepa, however there were differences between the two sides on how the project could be funded and whether University funds should be used for that purpose when they could be used on say, research.

On the use of Maltese in University exams, Mr Camilleri said the University should retain the option of using Maltese in exam papers.

Mr Balzan said that in some cases English had to be used as part of the agreed Bologna process which also involved foreign students.

During the debate, Mr Camilleri accused the SDM-dominated KSU of having incorrectly used student opportunity funds, a claim which Dr Balzan and former KSU president Karl Grech denied.

KSU officials also denied claims that the council lacked transparency.